Your roof is one of the most important systems of your home and when there is an issue with the roof, the rest of the house is in jeopardy. It is stressful handling a roofing issue so be sure to reduce the stress by steering clear of mistakes in hiring a roofer. This short article points out six typical mistakes that home owners make when installing a new roof.
1. Not Checking References. One of the most significant problems we see is the lack of checking a contractor's references. It is in the process of validating a reference that you can find out how good or bad a roofing company may be. Unfortunately, there are many choices on the market and you most certainly do not need to get stuck with a smooth speaking, con artist that appears to be a great roofer but turns out to be a crooked, no-good, lying crook. Take the needed time to contact references. Go one step further and test the references with some "mis-information" and see if the reference corrects you. If the particular person you are speaking with doesn't correct you, they may be one of the contractor's buddy's imitating a prior customer. If they does, indeed, correct this point, then chances are that they are one of the roofer's prior clients. I prefer to ask references the following question, "After having used ABC Company, would you feel ok having them put a new roof on your mom's home?" Listen to what is said and, more importantly, what is NOT said.
2. Failing To Check The Roofers Credentials (Licenses). In PA, contractors must be licensed with the State. It is very straightforward to contact the state and ask as to wether or not the contractor has a current, legitimate license. While you are checking out the contractor, place a call to the better business bureau and the local chamber of commerce to see if there have been any objections lodged against this roofing company.
3. Not Getting A Contract. Never do any type of roofing job on a handshake. Make sure to get a contract. To be binding, the agreement must have your signature and the roofing professional's signature. Be sure to include all the significant facts connected to the job; ie total project expense, starting date, length of the job, who is responsible for garbage removal, etc. The agreement should also specify the warranty and guarantees being extended to the home owner (see item 6 below).
4. Failing To Read The Contract. Review the agreement, begin to end. And see to it that you understand what is said. More importantly, make sure you are aware of what is not said. If there are elements missing that you feel should be incorporated, make sure that language is added into the agreement. Be careful if the roofer is hesitant in cooperating.
5. Paying Too Much Up Front. Never ever pay too much money as an up front payment. When property owners give roofers too substantial of an up-front down payment, it is really easy for an untrustworthy roofer to burn the individual. I like to only provide enough money to cover the roofing contractor's up-front material cost and labor costs for the first week on the job. We always like to pay small amounts of money on more frequent installments. With this the roofer is being paid for the work in a reasonable manner and neither party is placed at risk.
6. Not Getting A Guarantee. One other major error we see consistently is the lack of obtaining a guarantee on the contractor's workmanship. Dependable roofers will guarantee the roof for their workmanship. Just as the case of contracts, get this in writing. You'll need it in the event of actually having to use the guarantee. Also find out if the guarantee is transferrable to a new property owner in the event of a house sale.
There are other actions that you can take to safeguard yourself when working with a roofer but these are the top six blunders that we see home owners making all the time. Just like any advice, it is only good advice if you follow it. Please consider these points and we recommend you to incorporate them into your hiring adventure with a roofer.
1. Not Checking References. One of the most significant problems we see is the lack of checking a contractor's references. It is in the process of validating a reference that you can find out how good or bad a roofing company may be. Unfortunately, there are many choices on the market and you most certainly do not need to get stuck with a smooth speaking, con artist that appears to be a great roofer but turns out to be a crooked, no-good, lying crook. Take the needed time to contact references. Go one step further and test the references with some "mis-information" and see if the reference corrects you. If the particular person you are speaking with doesn't correct you, they may be one of the contractor's buddy's imitating a prior customer. If they does, indeed, correct this point, then chances are that they are one of the roofer's prior clients. I prefer to ask references the following question, "After having used ABC Company, would you feel ok having them put a new roof on your mom's home?" Listen to what is said and, more importantly, what is NOT said.
2. Failing To Check The Roofers Credentials (Licenses). In PA, contractors must be licensed with the State. It is very straightforward to contact the state and ask as to wether or not the contractor has a current, legitimate license. While you are checking out the contractor, place a call to the better business bureau and the local chamber of commerce to see if there have been any objections lodged against this roofing company.
3. Not Getting A Contract. Never do any type of roofing job on a handshake. Make sure to get a contract. To be binding, the agreement must have your signature and the roofing professional's signature. Be sure to include all the significant facts connected to the job; ie total project expense, starting date, length of the job, who is responsible for garbage removal, etc. The agreement should also specify the warranty and guarantees being extended to the home owner (see item 6 below).
4. Failing To Read The Contract. Review the agreement, begin to end. And see to it that you understand what is said. More importantly, make sure you are aware of what is not said. If there are elements missing that you feel should be incorporated, make sure that language is added into the agreement. Be careful if the roofer is hesitant in cooperating.
5. Paying Too Much Up Front. Never ever pay too much money as an up front payment. When property owners give roofers too substantial of an up-front down payment, it is really easy for an untrustworthy roofer to burn the individual. I like to only provide enough money to cover the roofing contractor's up-front material cost and labor costs for the first week on the job. We always like to pay small amounts of money on more frequent installments. With this the roofer is being paid for the work in a reasonable manner and neither party is placed at risk.
6. Not Getting A Guarantee. One other major error we see consistently is the lack of obtaining a guarantee on the contractor's workmanship. Dependable roofers will guarantee the roof for their workmanship. Just as the case of contracts, get this in writing. You'll need it in the event of actually having to use the guarantee. Also find out if the guarantee is transferrable to a new property owner in the event of a house sale.
There are other actions that you can take to safeguard yourself when working with a roofer but these are the top six blunders that we see home owners making all the time. Just like any advice, it is only good advice if you follow it. Please consider these points and we recommend you to incorporate them into your hiring adventure with a roofer.
About the Author:
This article was written as a practical guide. For more info on roofing projects in your home, visit Roofers in Allentown it contains many valuable pointers. If you are ready to hire a roofer, visit this website.
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