To find the best roofer for your home or building, begin your search by asking for referrals from other contractors who have performed quality work for you as well as from friends, relatives, and co-workers. Put together a list of contractors and begin investigating each one by checking out consumer reporting sites. If roofing contractors are licensed in your jurisdiction, also contact your local licensing board to find out if the roofer has been subject to disciplinary action in the past. After narrowing your list, begin calling for estimates and keep in mind that the best roofer won’t always be the cheapest to hire or the quickest to finish the job. Finally, make sure that the roofer holds appropriate insurance that can cover any damage to your home as well as injuries to workers.
A building’s roof is a critical part of its structure. A damaged or poorly constructed roof can be outright dangerous to the welfare of those who live or work in a building. You’ll have a better chance of finding the best roofer if you can learn a little bit about how roofs are constructed and whether there are any problems with your current roof. There are several online resources that can provide you with information about roofs in layman’s language. If a previous contractor or home inspector made you aware of problems with your roof, communicate this information to any roofer with whom you communicate.
When asking for referrals or searching online consumer sites for the best roofer, look for patterns in the comments made about specific contractors. While the occasional complaint about a roofer or any other business professional is not unusual, if you begin to notice multiple complaints about the same problem, such as showing up late, running over the estimated cost of a project, or failing to clean up the work site, take these complaints seriously. If the nature of the complaints are serious enough, look for another roofer.
Roofing supply manufacturers often license or approve roofers to use their products. The roofer you work with should be able to provide you with documentation showing that he or she is licensed or approved by a manufacturer. Any legitimate contractor will also be happy to show you his or her business license as well as proof of insurance. Even if you think that you have found the best roofer, insist on seeing this documentation before signing a contract. A contractor who refuses to provide you with evidence that he or she is operating legally and with appropriate liability coverage is not a business with which you want to be working.
