How to Find Out If Your Roofer Is Reputable
Finding a roofer is a huge investment in terms of money, time, and trust. Yes, you want to find the best deal on your home renovation, but you also want to find somebody who will do a good and lasting job. It seems like a simple equation, but finding a roofer who meets these demands can be harder than you think-especially since unlike other home contractors, roofers don’t require any certification or even special training to legally work in some places.
With this in mind, you’re going to want to do a bit of investigative research before signing any contracts. To make it easier, we’re here to provide you with this handy guide to ensuring your roofer is the right one for the job.
- Experience
As we mentioned, roofers in Canada don’t require any special licensing or certification, so it all comes down to hands on experience. Ask your prospective roofer if he has any training or experience, specifically with the type of work you want done. For instance, if you have a complexly shaped roof, you don’t want to hire somebody who’s only worked on flat sheds. If something seems fishy, you should never be embarrassed to ask for references or even pictures of your roofer’s past work.
- Business
If your contractor has his own, or works for someone else’s business, then make an effort to find out about it. Sometimes a simple search on Google can tell you all you need to know-or other times, it won’t tell you anything which can also be a bad sign. If neither you nor anybody you know has heard of your roofer’s business and you can’t find them online or in your local phonebook, then you might have a problem. In cases like these, once again-don’t be ashamed to ask for a reference!
- Insurance
Even if it’s not your fault, if your roofer falls or is injured while working on your home, you could find yourself in a lot of legal hot water. For this reason it’s crucial that you find out whether your roofer has liability and workplace safety insurance. Better yet, ask to see a copy of it, and call the insurance agency to find out if your contractor is in good standing.
- Contract
Before committing to hiring your roofer, make sure you both sign a detailed contract that includes details on pricing, time frames, insurance and liabilities, and a list of every aspect of the job at hand. It’s also a good idea to agree on a warranty for a set amount of time.
Most, if not all, reputable roofers and contractors will agree to provide the above information and terms. If they don’t this is your first red flag that an inexpensive contractor might be too good to be true. When it comes down to it, we’re talking about your home here, and that’s no place to cut corners. Do your research, ask questions, and you’ll be sure to find the right roofer for you.