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How Do I Find a Qualified Roofer?

Finding a qualified roofing company in your area is an important task in ensuring the safety and integrity of your home. A poorly installed roof can lead to costly repairs and even health hazards. By taking the time to research and choose a reputable roofing contractor, you can ensure that your needs are met in a professional manner.

The first step to finding a qualified roofing company in your area is to ask for recommendations. Talk to friends, family and neighbors who have recently had their roofs replaced and get their experiences and opinions of the contractors. Additionally, you can check online review sites like Angie’s List and don’t forget to look them up on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website for customer feedback and ratings.

Once you have a list of potential contractors in mind, the next step is to check them out with the Construction Contractors Board (CCB). Make sure they are properly licensed, have current insurance and are in good standing. A qualified contractor should have liability and worker’s compensation insurance to protect you and them in case of accidents or injuries that may occur during the course of the roofing project. Remember, don’t just take their word for it, see it in writing.

Another very important  consideration when choosing a roofing company is how long have they been in business. Roofs are expensive and the warranties that go along with a new roof installation are often only as good as the company that issues them. Try to find a company that has been doing business in your area for more than twenty years, fifty would be even better. If for some reason you need to file a warranty claim down the road, it’s best if the phone gets answered.

When you have narrowed down the list of potential roofing contractors, there is one questions that seems to almost guarantee that your working with professionals: “Are they your employees and how long have they worked for you?” A good roofing contractor that is concerned with the quality of work and attention to detail on each roof job knows that experience and training are mandatory. If the the roofing staff is not hourly paid, supervised by a longtime foreman, and treated well, no matter how good the material is, the finished product will be flawed.

Finally, when you have chosen a roofing contactor, make sure to have everything included in a written contract. The contract should include detailed information about the scope of the work, materials to be used, a payment schedule and a timeline for completion.

Overall, finding a qualified roofing company requires some researched and due diligence on your part. But if you select an experienced and established roofing contractor from your area along with following the above guidelines, your chances for success go way up and your roofing experience should be a satisfying one.