When selecting a roofing contractor for any job, whether it’s a simple repair or a total roof replacement, it’s important to pick the right roofer for the job. Choosing a roofing contractor who is not only experienced and qualified but also has the personal traits that will make him or her easy to work with throughout the process will ensure that your roofing project is completed properly and that you and your contractor are working together to handle any issues that may arise.
After you’ve checked your roofing company’s credentials and coverages, make sure that your contractor also has these nine traits (or at least most of them) before you sign the contract.
1. Are they good communicators?
Having a roofing contractor who is a good communicator is crucial. Miscommunication between roofing contractors and homeowners often leads to costly errors and frustration for both parties, so it’s important to establish the lines of communication early in the process. You want to be sure your contractor understands your needs and listens to and addresses your concerns, and you should be able to communicate openly with each other as the job progresses.
2. Are they patient?
Roofing jobs are complicated, and most require a lot of decisions to be made and details to be reviewed before the job begins. Choose a patient roofing contractor who is willing to explain the process and assist you with some of the more difficult decisions.
3. Are they trustworthy?
Hiring someone trustworthy is important with any service provider, and your roofing contractor is no exception. Your roofing contractor and their employees will be around your home for an extended period of time, so make sure you’re comfortable having them around. Check the company’s references and customer testimonials and consider the experiences of other homeowners.
4. Are they dependable?
A good roofing contractor knows how long it will take to complete a job and should provide you with a timetable for beginning and completing your project. Once the roofing contractor begins working on your roof, your home will be exposed to the elements until the job is finished, so it’s important that your roofing contractor works consistently, avoids unnecessary delays and has a realistic timeline for completing the project.
5. Are they organized?
If you’re paying someone to do a service, you should expect them to be organized. Your roofing contractor should provide you with a detailed, written proposal that lists the work that will be done, the materials (including brand names when appropriate) to be used, a timeline to complete the work and when payments will be due.
6. Are they detail-oriented?
Where will the dumpster or trash pile will go? How early will construction begin in the morning? When will they stop working in the evening? Will work take place on weekends? Many aspects of your roofing job will affect your home and family life, so it’s important to make these decisions before the job begins. Ensure that your roofing contractor can answer and anticipate any questions you may have about the details of the job.
7. Are they put-together?
When your roofing contractor arrives at your home for the first time, do they appear neat and clean? Is their truck clean and undamaged, with permanent lettering on the side that includes the company’s name and state license number? They don’t need to arrive in a suit and tie, but a neat and clean appearance is a sign that you’re dealing with someone who pays attention to detail.
8. Are they economically credible?
If your roofing contractor asks for the full amount or a large percentage of the project’s cost up front, this may be a sign that the company’s not in good financial shape. Generally, a fair down payment will be, at most, 50 percent of the total cost for the job. The written proposal you get from the roofing contractor should spell out exactly when each payment is due and how much it will be. Most roofing jobs are handled in shorter periods of time, so an initial down payment and full payment of the balance at the end of the job are typical.
9. Are they flexible?
With any type of construction, there’s always a chance you may want or need to make changes to the plan after the contract is signed; roofing is no different. Be sure to ask how these changes will be handled. Before the changes are made, the roofing contractor should write up a separate change order document that details the changes to be made and the associated costs.
Replacing or repairing your roof won’t be a stressful undertaking if you choose the right person for the job. Before you sign the contract, make sure you’ve made the right decision. For more information, email us at office@tadlockroofing.com or call us toll-free at 855-964-7663.
