- Check Online Reviews
- Roofing Associations
- Licensed and Insured
- Experience
- Certified or Qualified
- Guarantees
- Permits
- (See our recommendations)
Check Online Reviews
Online reviews, such as those on Google Maps and FaceBook, is where most homeowners go first to research a roofing company. However, it shouldn’t be the only thing you do. That’s because, for one, online reviews are easy to fake. There’s currently no way to verify that someone did in fact have an interaction with said roofing company. Also, there are other important factors to consider when hiring a roofing company in Greeley. You should also make sure the company is licensed and insured, has experience, is certified, guarantees their work, pulls permits, and more. Keep reading to learn more.
Roofing Associations
There are many perks for the roofing company to be a member of a roofing association, such as Colorado Roofing Association or National Roofing Contractors Association. However, there are also perks to the homeowner. First and foremost, you can visit the association’s website to search for a trustworthy roofing company in Greeley. Being a part of an association also means the roofing company has passed certain requirements, such as shown they’ve been in business long enough, has worker’s compensation and general liability insurance, has passed roofing examinations, among other things.
Licensed and Insured
Being a licensed roofing company means they’ve been granted a trade license as required by law. They must also prove they are insured and/or bonded. Make sure the roofing company has at least general liability insurance. If they don’t, you shouldn’t work with them because if something were to go wrong and your property is damaged, it can come down to your word against theirs with respect to who caused the damage.
Experience
We all had to start somewhere. Some people went to school to get their education or training. Some went on to be an apprentice. That apprenticeship is where most get their professional experience. Although you might not be able to find out the exact amount of experience a specific worker has, you can find out how much experience the roofing company as a whole has. You find out how much experience a roofing company has by seeing how long they’ve been in business. You do that be seeing when their first review was left, or when they joined an association, such the Better Business Bureau. The more experience or the longer a roofing company has been around, the better for you.
Certified or Qualified
Being certified or qualified or preferred means the roofing company has put in the time and money to become so. They’ve been tested and awarded a certain level of expertise and professionalism by the roofing manufacturer they purchase materials from. Certified contractors can offer homeowners extended manufacturer warranties that uncertified contractors can’t. The homeowner can also rest a little easier knowing that a certified or qualified roofing contractor is a professional and knows what they’re doing, knows the roofing products and how to install them correctly. Roofing certifications include Owens Corning’s Preferred Contractor, Tamko’s Certified Contractor, and CertainTeed’s Certified Contractor program.
Guarantees
Make sure it’s written in their contract that they guarantee their work, and find out for how long. If a roofing company doesn’t guarantee their work, don’t work with them. Full stop. Also, if they only guarantee their work for 1 year, you should be skeptical, as there are other roofing companies in Greeley that guarantee their work for longer than 1 year.
Permits
Most municipalities and counties require a roofing company to get a permit before any work is started. Some don’t. Most homeowners aren’t even aware that a roofing company gets a permit. As the homeowner, you should ask if a permit is required in your city and/or county. If it is, make sure the roofing company gets one. Most do, so it’s rarely an issue. You want to do this because if you don’t, it could cost you later in fines from the city and/or county, and possibly repair work to your new roof.
Deposit
Most professional roofing companies in Greeley do not ask for a deposit of any kind. If a company does ask for a deposit, you should not hire them. Asking for a deposit is a sure sign of a roofing scam. Don’t be a victim.
What to ask before you hire:
Who’s in Charge
Find out who will be supervising the work.
On most roofing jobs, there are almost always at least a few guys running around, and it will be good to know who’s in charge and who to go to should you have any questions or issues.
When will materials be delivered, when will work begin and when will they be finished?
New roofing materials often show-up before the removal or installation of your new roof actually begins. You probably won’t want the surprise of a large truck with a conveyor belt showing-up on your driveway when you’re about to take the kids to soccer practice. Also, you will need to make room in your driveway for the large dumpster, and you will probably appreciate some notice. And, it might be nice to know how long that dumpster will be in your driveway and when they’ll be wrapping things up and cleaning-up so you can get let the dog back outside. Therefore, it’s a good idea to find out from the roofing company when materials will be delivered, when work will start, and when they plan on being finished with your new roof.
You will do a thorough clean-up, right?
Installing a roof is a messy job. There are hundreds of nails or screws involved, roofing debris, etc. You’ll want to make sure they do a good job cleaning-up their mess. You don’t want that responsibility to fall into your lap. They should have the tools, such as a magnet sweep, to make the clean-up job easier and faster.