Getting work done on your home can be very stressful and costly. Many times, the stresses and extra costs associated with home work can be minimized if you have a good understanding of the process and know what to look for and what things to watch for. When working on or replacing the roof over your head, these potential headaches can be magnified by the importance and cost of the undertaking.
Follow these basic guidelines for finding a roofing contractor, and you’ll be happy and headache free all the way through the process.
1. Know your contractor
The first and most important step in receiving an estimate for roof repair or installation is finding a Roofing Contractor that you trust to do the work in a timely, professional manner. Word of mouth is the best option. Roofs are normally replaced every 5-10 years, depending on the weather and climate. So chances are, you have a neighbor, friend, or colleague that can suggest a contractor to look into, or one to avoid. Both suggestions are equally valuable.
Once you have found a couple of contractors you want to move forward with, speak with the person that is going to be doing the paperwork, the person who will be the foreman on the job, and the person that you will need to contact when you have questions. These conversations will be useful if you do choose the specific contractor, but they can also give you a good idea of how the company handles their business, and the demeanor that they treat people with. Be observant and follow your intuition.
2. Get multiple estimates
Once you have found a few contractors that you trust, ask them to give you an estimate. Most contractors will gladly give your roof a “once-over” and ballpark some figures for cost of materials, labor, and the scope of the project at hand. Keep the information they give you, as it will be handy in the next tip.
During the time that they are looking over your roof, ask them lots of questions. How long will it take? What is the timeline of events for replacing or repairing the roof? When can you start? Getting some of the basic logistical questions out of the way in the estimate process is a great way to know what you’re getting into, and who is being reasonable.
Once you have gotten all the estimates, compare them in price, time, and method. Also, go back to your conversations in tip 1 to weigh all aspects of the process. It’s better to pay a little extra for great service, and an assurance of good work than to skimp on the cheap guys and end up belly up with no roof or money.
3. Compare your estimates
Once you have some estimates from multiple roofing contractor, compare all the estimates. Look carefully at the difference in material costs. Are they getting a better deal, or are they cutting corners to lower the overall costs? Call around to materials sellers and see if these prices are reasonable. While you’re on the phone with the supplier, ask them about the quality of the products being used. Compare as many parts of the puzzle as you can, working out the details can help save you money, time, and aggravation when day arrives.
The bottom line is to be knowledgeable and ask questions. Know the people that you are getting involved with, and especially, the people that you will have to interact with during the construction. A little planning goes a long way. For those of you looking for roofing contractors, we strongly recommend the quality services of The Roofers Edge.