How to Find a Quality Roofing Company
If your roof needs repairing or replacing, you have to find someone to work on it that is trustworthy. It can be a challenge to find the right person for the job, which is why it’s almost always best to hire a company. First, you need to recognize that you actually need a new roof or a roof repair.
Signs Your Roof Needs Replacing
Sometimes you just need a minor repair to your roof, but it’s particularly important to choose the right roofing company if you have to replace the entire roof. The following signs mean you may need a whole new roof soon.
Water Damage
Do you see water damage inside your home? If there are streaks or stains coming down the walls or water spots on the ceiling in the attic, then you may have a big issue with water coming in through the roof. Once you’ve ruled out the possibility of pipes or a leaking appliance causing the damage, it’s time to look closer at the roof.
One spot where a drip is coming through can often be repaired, but it may be a symptom of a roof that is no longer sound.
Damaged or Mossy Shingles
Is your roof covered in moss or algae? Do the shingles curl up at the edges or are they cracked? Are they missing granules?
Damaged shingles often need to be replaced. It’s possible to have just a section that needs replacing, but if the shingles are in poor condition across the entire roof, you’ll want to replace the entire thing.
Sagging Roofline
Is your roofline looking a little sad? If it starts to sag, that usually means there is a structural issue. This may require more than just replacing the shingles, including a rebuild of the roofline. If this is the case, you’ll definitely want a company that knows how to handle this type of construction.
There are several ways to choose the right roofing company, but it does require doing some research. You shouldn’t just pick the first roofing services you find, as they may not be a good match. Here are some things to do as you begin your search.
Make a List
Start looking into roofing contractors. You can find them online, through friends and family, or even by asking neighbours who repaired their roof. It’s helpful to have recommendations from people you know, as they have already had experience with a company.
As you come up with different companies, wherever you find them, make a list. You should have a list of at least five companies to begin with.
The next step is to do some research on these companies. Check their reviews and what their specialty is. You can talk to people who have hired the companies and look for more information online about them to learn more.
Request an Assessment
The next step is to get a quote from the top companies. You should aim to receive at least three different quotes. Ask them what type of material they recommend for your situation. This will help you understand what each contractor has to offer. They may also explain why they recommend a specific material.
When you request the quote, ask for it in writing. This should include the cost of doing the job, as well as any special notes that could cost more, such as if bigger problems are found. Overall, the contractor should give you a no-obligation assessment and should give you their opinion on the roofing situation and how to best resolve it.
Compare Quotes
Once you have quotes from everyone you’ve asked for an assessment, it’s time to compare them. Remember that the cheapest quote is not always the best. However, if there is one company that is much more expensive than the others, you need to look at why that is.
Some things to consider when considering quotes is whether or not the company offers a guarantee on their work, as well as their timeline. It may be worth paying more to ensure your roof is fixed within the next week, rather than in six months. You should also check if there is a travel fee or other unexpected fees that may crop up.
Do a Background Check
Not all residential or commercial roofing contractors are ready for the responsibility of replacing or repairing a roof. Before you make a hiring decision, it’s important to check on the company you’re considering. They should have an excellent reputation, but also need to be insured and licensed. Without the right paperwork, you could end up with a much bigger problem and no way to get help with the problem.
Deeper research may turn up past lawsuits and issues with the company, which can be a warning to stay away from them. Be sure to check carefully.
Get Planning Permission
Before you can let anyone start working on your building, you’ll need to check what planning permissions you require. This is your responsibility, though some companies may offer aid in this area.
Talk to your local council to find out what is needed and then you can apply for the necessary permits. Don’t start the repairs without these in hand, as the entire project could be shut down.
Double Check Requirements
While you should have planning permission, you may also need to upgrade your roof, depending on how old the building is. The roofing contractor should be more than ready to help with this, but you can also check the rules in your area for thermal requirements and any other building regulations that you need to follow.
No one wants to stop progress on their roof due to a missed regulation, so taking the time to investigate ahead of time will save you stress. You can move forward with the project without stressing that there may be something you don’t know about.
Document Everything
In order to protect yourself, it’s best to keep track of everything that is done. Wherever possible, get information and promises in writing. You should keep these in a safe place, to ensure you can access them easily if the need arises.
This includes any guarantee that is offered, as it could be a possible issue in the future if the guarantee is only spoken and not in writing. Likewise, the quote should be in writing, though it’s possible that changes will be made once the roof is up. Any unseen issues will need to be accounted for and this ought to be added to the quote in writing. You’ll need to approve any other changes before the roofing contractor can continue.
Payment terms and payments should also be tracked carefully. If possible, make sure there is a paper trail for any payments, as it can be difficult to track cash payments or recover any money paid out if the job is left unfinished.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of unscrupulous businesses and contractors out there, so you should be careful. Keep track of everything and make sure you invest in insurance in case things go terribly wrong.
Communicate Clearly and Frequently
Communication is key when working with a roofing company. You want to be sure they understand what you need and you should be fully aware of what is going on. If you’re not sure of something, ask a question. Ideally, you will have a roofing contractor who is very easy to talk to and willing to answer questions. If they aren’t open with you, they shouldn’t be hired in the first place.
Your contractor should work with you, not against you. If you do need changes made, then you should communicate this clearly to the roofing company and be sure to manage expectations. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on the progress of the roof, to ensure things are done the way you need them to be. Again, asking questions is key to ensuring you get what you need.
Making the Final Decision on Roofing Services
At this point, you should be more than ready to make a decision and hire the company that seems right to you. Once you’ve done the research and investigated the company, as well as compared the various quotes you’ve received, you should have plenty of information to ensure you select the correct roofing company.
Contact the company you have selected and confirm that you will hire them. From there, you can figure out the timeline and schedule the right time for them to begin work.
Are you currently in the market for a roofing company? B & D Roofing is ready to assess your roofing situation and give you a quote.
Contact us today for more information.
