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R.Townley Roofing |
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R. Townley Roofing wants to be your roofing contractor! |
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Hiring a Contractor |
1. Research Roofing Contractors
To many homeowners immediately start calling roofers without the least idea of the choices involved or what to look for in a roofing company. Some homeowners even cold-call roofers from a phone book or the internet. You need to start your roofing project by familiarizing yourself with basic roofing considerations. You don’t need to become a certified roofer. What you should do, is make a list of informed questions to ask prospective roofing contractors. Asking the questions below, will help you learn which roof is best for your home and will also help you to identify contractors with whom you can easily communicate. Part of your research should also focus on the pros and cons for various roofing systems, such as composite roofing and tile roofing. Finally, look for useful details, tips and common problems associated with residential roofing. Know how attic ventilation helps preserve your roofing material and extend the life of your roof. You should also find out everything you can about your old roof. When was it installed? What type of roofing surface, pitch, ventilation and insulation does it have? Knowledge is power.
· What roofing system would you choose for your home? Why?
· Which roofing systems have the greatest potential to save money and monthly utility bills without huge installation costs?
· What are some of the latest roofing innovations? Do you think these new products are trustworthy over the long run?
· How many roofs have you installed in this area in the last two years? Can you point these houses out to me? |
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2. Solicit Estimates
These are just a few of the possible question you might ask roofers during preliminary phone conversations or face-to-face when you are soliciting estimates. By the time you solicit estimates, you should have a pretty good idea of the kind of new roof you want. This way, you can make an apples-to-apples comparison of different estimates. Conventional wisdom suggests that you get at least three estimates. · Be wary of estimates that are significantly higher or lower than the rest. Go back and ask questions to determine the cause of this discrepancy. · Don’t assume that the lowest bid offers inferior quality or that the highest bid means superior quality. If you can’t identify which contractors are offering the best overall value, you need to do more research, talk to more previous customers, and ask more questions. · Check with the State Contractors License Board and verify they have a current license and insurance at www.cslb.ca.gov
· Check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if they are a member or have any complaints filed against the contractor at: www.midcalbbb.org |
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3.Choose a Contractor, Sign a Service Contract.
Once you’ve had a chance to talk to each of your prospective roofers, it’s time to review the estimates and sign a service contract. Sometimes the right answer will jump out at you—one contractor in particular seemed to share your roofing vision, philosophy and budgetary constraints. Often, two contractors seem to make comparable offers with impeccable credentials, In this case, you may need to take a second look and split hairs. Just don’t under estimate the importance communication; finding a contractor who is easy to communicate with is valuable in the long run. And don’t just read, but make sure you clearly understand the implications of the service contract. Items a Service Contract Should Address:
· The length and terms of the labor warranty. Roofing manufactures generally include product warranties, but these warranties may not mean much if problems result from the installation. A typical labor warranty may last two years, but you should make sure the product warranty will remain valid after the labor warranty has expired.
· A payment schedule. Never pay for the entire project upfront. Generally speaking , payment should occur in installments and parallel the work as it is being completed. A new roof can cost anywhere from $3,000 to more than $30,000.
· A timeline. Weather permitting, the service contract should lay out a schedule for the project. In particular, make sure the roofer is responsible for any damage that occurs during the project. A reputable company should have means to protect your home while the roof is being installed. The average time to complete a roof installation is one week for asphalt shingles and two weeks for more high-end roofing. |
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State Contractors License #456837 |