When it’s time for a roof replacement, you’ll need to plan everything carefully to ensure its success. And like most homeowners, you’ll likely start by finding a competent and trustworthy contractor who can build your roof the way you see fit. However, finding one won’t always be easy, as there will be some who may not be as experienced as others and fall short of your needs and expectations. You’ll want to hire a contractor who can deliver what was promised and make your dream roof a reality, so finding the right one is crucial!
While all contractors can claim they have the proficiency and experience to build your roof, that isn’t always a reassuring indication. You can always ask your friends and neighbors about who they recommend; referrals can sometimes be a good sign of their good reputation in the area. This is because they’re already familiar with the local rules and code regulations and have a relationship with area crews and suppliers.
A roof replacement is a big investment after all, and you’ll want to make sure it’s worth every penny. So, how do you know if you’re working with a great contractor? Top roof replacement Deschutes Roofing shares some of the typical qualities you’ll find in most professional contractors:
They Have Excellent History
It’s important to check if the contractor you’re hiring has the experience necessary to take on your project. Of course, not all companies that have been in the roofing industry for a long time always mean they’re the best, but knowing that your contractor of choice wasn’t newly established last month is still a good indication. It’s usually safer to hire contractors who have been in the roofing industry for a long time because you’ll know that they’ve been providing similar services to other customers in the area.
They’re Licensed and Insured
All professional contractors should have a proper license to operate in their state. You’ll encounter contractors attempting to do roofing work despite their state requiring licensing to do the job legally. In states where licenses are required, make sure your contractor provides you with a copy of their license so that you can confirm for yourself by checking their status online.
A professional roofing contractor should also have at least liability insurance and workers’ compensation to cover the expenses when problems arise during the roofing process. Liability insurance covers any damage to your property and workers’ compensation covers the expenses to the roofers when they sustain an injury while working on your roof replacement. Not having insurance could potentially lead to litigation between you and the contractor, so be sure they provide a copy of their insurance certificate as proof that they’re insured!
A Good Contractor Will Have Positive Reviews
It’s also important to check if the contractor you’re hiring has a good track record of their business. The best way to do this is to look them up online and check reviews of their previous customers. It’s also important to check whether they’re on the BBB (Better Business Bureau®) website to make sure they have a good score.
They’re Bonded
You’ll know that you’ve chosen a good contractor if they’re bonded. Also known as a surety bond, it’s a legal contract that protects one party against monetary loss in case the other party doesn’t complete the task successfully or fails to meet the set conditions. You’ll notice that bonds are more common in commercial and industrial roofing projects, but a bonded roofing contractor can also protect your residential roofing system. The common types of bonds include:
- Payment Bond – This is posted by a contractor to guarantee that all subcontractors and material suppliers on the project will be paid. This is required by the Federal Government if the overall cost of the project will be over 30,000 dollars and should be issued for 100 percent of the contract value.
- Performance Bond – This is issued by an insurance company or a bank to guarantee the project’s success by a roofing contractor. It essentially ensures that the hired contractor will complete the job according to the conditions and expectations agreed upon in the contract.
They’re Transparent With Their Business
If the contractor you hire is transparent about their service process, systems, and pricing, then that’s a good indication that they work with a high sense of professionalism. Right from the start, they should provide proof that they’re licensed and insured to do roofing work in the area. The nature of each roofing project’s hazardous work requires proper precautions, so they should also be transparent about their employees’ safety. If you’re in doubt, you can always confirm through trusted sites such as the BBB if what they say about their company and services is true.
You Can Communicate With Them Easily
Talking and listening make up a big part of the whole communication process, as it’s crucial in helping both parties be on the same page when engaged in a discussion. You’ll want to hire a roof repair and replacement contractor who is optimistic about working on your roofing project and that they’ll do a great job in completing it. And working with a contractor who always responds to your messages and emails is also a good sign that they’re professional in what they do. You can be confident that they’ve earned each five-star rating from their reviews and that your roofing project won’t be any different.
They Offer Great Warranty Policies
Keep in mind that not all roofing contractors can offer manufacturer warranties that include coverage of the contractor’s workmanship. If your contractor unknowingly installs your roofing system incorrectly, the damage won’t always present itself until a few months or years when it has already affected other areas of your home. And when this happens, your homeowners’ insurance won’t cover the expenses.
But if you’re working with a trusted contractor, then you won’t have to pay for the job in case a problem or issue arises after installation. They’ll always provide quality workmanship when building your roof, ensuring that they follow manufacturer conditions and guidelines so that the warranty won’t be voided!
When it comes to excellent roof repair and replacement services, Deschutes Roofing always gets the job done right!
Call us at (541) 241-5720 if you’re in Bend, (503) 967-9590 if you’re from Portland, (541) 246-6860 if you’re in Eugene, (503) 468-7663 if you’re in Lake Oswego, or (503) 928-8750 if you’re from Beaverton. You can also fill out our convenient online form.
