Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home as it protects you from the elements and the exterior world (e.g. snow, rain, branches and debris). A roof in poor condition can cause a lot of headaches, such as leaks, mold and mildew and several other problems. That’s why replacing or repairing your roof is a significant investment that requires careful consideration.
Finding a contractor is easy but finding a reliable, hardworking and trustworthy contractor is much more difficult. Not all roofers Roscoe IL are made equal nor do they have the same standards or customer service. We’ve all read about the horror stories of bad contractors running off with the money or cutting costly corners. So how do you make sure that doesn’t happen to you?
In the following article, we explain the five things that you need to know before choosing a roofing contractor.
1. The cost
Before choosing a roofing contractor, you need to know how much it will cost. The easiest way to do this is to get a free quote. If a contractor is charging you for a quote, that is likely a red flag and it is probably best to move on to the next contractor on your list.
Since price is an important consideration, it is a good idea to get at least three quotes from different roofing contractors in your area. This will help you get a feel for the average price in your area.
Remember, cheap is not always better when it comes to replacing or repairing your roof. There are a lot of factors to consider when selecting a roofing contractor and the cost should be part of that equation. Once you have an understanding of the price range in your area, it is usually safe to land somewhere in the middle with a contractor that you believe to be trustworthy.
2. What is included in the contract and quoted amount
Not all surprises are fun and exciting. You should never sign a contract without reading the fine print. The contract/quote should clearly outline the services included, an itemization of all costs, and details related to the duration of the work.
In particular, when reviewing the contract you want to look for:
- Estimated start date and completion date
- Materials being used
- Post-clean-up and removal of materials
- Details about a warranty
Reading the contract carefully to understand inclusions and exclusions will eliminate misunderstandings or assumptions. If there is any uncertainty, always ask before signing on the dotted line.
3. What other people are saying
Read the reviews! Reviews left by past customers will help you understand what you can expect, the quality of work, and the overall customer satisfaction. For a lot of people, reading the reviews can also put their minds at ease as it helps to build a level of trust.
In this day in age, most contractors will have reviews readily available on their website, social media accounts or their Google profile because they understand the value that reviews hold. If you can’t find any reviews or there are only a few reviews, you can also ask the contractor for a list of references.
4. Insurance and Liability
The state of Illinois requires roofing contractors to obtain public liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance if they have employees. Liability insurance is important because it protects the customer from having to pay for any mistakes.
Anyone who is a contractor in the state of Illinois needs to obtain a roofing license approved by the Illinois Department of financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
Ensuring that a contractor is licensed and insured are two important things to do before choosing a roofing contractor.
5. What type of materials will be used
Before hiring a roofing contractor, you should discuss what materials they will be using. There are several common roofing materials in Illinois and it is important to know your options. Understanding what materials will be used can also help you determine if the price quoted is fair.
(You can learn more about common roofing materials here or in our post “Five Common Roofing Materials in Roscoe Illinois“.
Keeping in mind these five things before choosing a roofing contractor will help you find the right contractor for your needs. Hiring a reputable and reliable contractor with a long history and positive reviews will help put your mind at ease. When it comes to your roof, it is important to do it right the first time, cutting corners and costs will cost you more in the long run.
