One of the most important things on your home is your roof. If there’s an issue, it can cause damage, structural issues or cosmetic issues inside the home. It’s also one of those things that people worry about having to fix. It goes without saying that it is important to make sure your roof is in tip-top shape – protecting your home investment. And when there is a problem, knowing who to turn to can make all the difference.
Finding out that you might need roof repair can be stressful. Maybe you start to notice water damage on the inside ceilings or structural issues on the outside. Sometimes mother nature takes over and there’s damage from wind, rainstorms or a tree branch falls on part of the home, damaging the roof. Whatever reasons you may have that your roof needs to be assessed, it should be done by a qualified contractor.
Knowing where to turn and what contractors to contact can be a job in itself. How do you know which contractor to choose while finding the affordability and quality that you need with a major repair like this? What makes a roofing contractor qualified? Since this is not a repair that is done often to a home, you might not know where to begin or what questions to ask of those you reach out to.
When we looked into roofers in the New Jersey area I felt like it was such an overwhelming process. We had a leak and I knew there was likely an issue that needed to be addressed. I wanted to be sure I trusted and felt confident in the person we used. I did my research and suggest you do too! I settled upon a few questions that I knew I would ask all of the contractors – and I’m sharing those here.
Here are some questions that you can ask before you agree to work.
Licensed Roofing Contractor?
Codes and requirements will vary based on where you live. Know them! Call your local town hall and ask. It is YOUR responsibility as the homeowner to know what is required in your state or area. You can’t make sure your roofer complies with those standards unless you do a little homework first. You want a licensed and qualified contractor doing such a major repair and ensuring that it is done right.
Liability / Insurance
Find out if they carry the proper insurance and general liability. Do they offer workman’s comp insurance to their employees? If someone gets hurt on your property, does their employer or the company carry the right insurance and general liability. Do each of those workers meet the standards within the field for your state. Do not let work begin until you can be assured of these things.
Do you do the work or use subcontractors?
Ask this important question because some contractors will hire subcontractors to handle roofing work. In these cases, you may think you know who is doing the work — but don’t actually. Ask and get verification that any subcontractors have all the same insurance, liability, and licensing as above
Do you remove the old roof?
Be clear and insist that your old roof be removed vs. shingled over. Visual inspections cannot always catch minor issues that can become big problems. Once you’ve had a roof reshingled, it would be awful to have an issue or soft spot that was not addressed. This could likely cost you money down the road. An old roof should always be removed before a new one is installed to ensure all problems have been fixed.
Ask About Debris/Waste
Ask if the contractor will be bringing a container or if they will dispose of materials. It is important to know how this will work before the work begins. You do not want to any surprises when it comes to disposing of items that the contractor has not agreed to remove and/or take care of – or added expenses!
Ask About Warranty
Ask about the length of a new roof’s warranty and be clear about what it is / how it works. What does it cover and how would you contact them about the warranty. Know the materials they are using and if there are any other warranties associated with those materials. Get it in writing and hang onto it!
Here in New Jersey, Peter’s Roofing is a great place to start! They are on top when it comes to residential roofing services. They install high-quality residential roofing systems and have a long list of services while offering you top value.
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