Winter may have left your roof dented and caused it to lose shingles. Perhaps harsh winter winds have caused a tree branch to crash into and damage a section of your roof, resulting in extensive damage. It’s understandable that you would want to get it fixed as soon as possible, but you shouldn’t entrust the job to just anyone. Every roofing contractor will claim that they’re the best, but how do you know if they are? Asking these seven questions can separate the good ones from those that sputter empty promises.
1. How local is your business?
Ask this question to determine whether the company is experienced in fixing roofs in your local community. You want to work with roofing contractors that know the climate and natural hazards in your region, since they would know the best ways to protect your roof.
You also want a contractor that can respond to your refurbishment or renovation requests in no time. This is especially necessary when you have roofing emergencies that can’t wait, like severe structural damage and drainage problems.
2. Who owns your business?
Getting to know the owner will allow you to dig deeper into their work ethic and previous projects, as well as their reputation in the roofing industry. It also pays to know whose reputation would be at stake in case they provide an unsatisfactory job. For instance, D&D Roofing and Sheet Metal, Inc. is proud to be 100% employee-owned since 2012 through the Employee Stock Option Program (ESOP). This means that our employees will put their integrity on the line whenever they take on any roofing project.
3. What other jobs have you done, and can I see them?
Whether they specialize in residential roofing, commercial roofing, or both, contractors’ past roofing jobs can show you how good or bad they are. Ask to see the biggest project they’ve undertaken, or the project they’re most proud of. These projects will give you a good idea of how your roof would turn out.
4. Will my roof be installed by employees or sub-contractors?
There are differences between employees and sub-contractors that can result in different levels of engagement. Employees are paid for their time; sub-contractors are paid for the completion of a project. There’s also a tendency for the former to be more personally invested than the latter, since shoddy work can cost them their job. To be sure, ask prospective contractors if they have an ongoing project that you can visit so you can watch the workers in action.
5. What training and certifications does the crew have that will verify their expertise?
Some manufacturers require roofers to be certified in handling their products or equipment. For example, D&D Roofing and Sheet Metal, Inc. is an Owens Corning Blown-In Insulation Preferred Contractor. We have earned this certification because we are trained to know how roof, insulation, and ventilation systems need to work together for the best climate management. If someone tries to insulate your attic without the required training, then product warranty, as well as your house warranty, can be voided. So before entering into a contract with a roofing company, ask them what materials they would use, if their crew has proper certifications, and whether they will issue written warranties.
6. What can cause the contracted price to change?
When a potential contractor gives you the ballpark figure for your roof project, ask them what deviations can cause this figure to increase or decrease. Inquire about how the type of roof materials, handling of building permits, and the scope of repairs can all affect the cost of the project. Budgeting for your roof should be transparent and without surprises.
7. How will you handle my roof’s particular problem areas?
One problem roofers often deal with is the “dead valley,” or the place where two slopes come together to form an almost flat surface that doesn’t allow water to properly drain. An experienced roofing company will be able to explain how they’ll handle this particular design flaw and may even be able to show you previous clients’ roofs that had similar problems.
Only trust experts to work on your roof. For local, experienced, and certified roof contractors in Reno-Reno or Carson City, look no further than D&D Roofing and Sheet Metal, Inc., Inc. Whether it’s repair, installation, insulation, or daylighting you need, we got you covered. Contact us today.