A building’s roof is one of its most important features, as the roof protects the rest of the structure from the elements. Because of this, roofs are designed to last; even the least durable roofing materials last a minimum of 20 years. However, this also means that most people only need to replace their roofs once or twice during their lifetime, so they might not know how to choose a quality roofing contractor.
If you need a roofing contractor to replace your roof, it’s important to do your research and thoroughly vet your choices before you decide who to hire. In this article, our team at Roofwise will go over a few red flags to watch out for when comparing roofing contractors. If any of the following issues come up during your interview, you should look elsewhere.
- Lowball Estimate – When selecting a roofing contractor, you should always talk to a few candidates and get multiple estimates before you hire anyone. Compare the quoted prices for your project and see if one company’s estimate is significantly lower than the others. If so, that’s a red flag, as a contractor who tries to undercut their competition’s prices often does poor quality work. Look for a contractor who offers fair pricing for the value they offer.
- Lack of Documentation – Another red flag is a reluctance to put anything in writing. This is a bad sign because, without a detailed contract, you won’t have any recourses if the contractor delivers poor results. A reputable roofing contractor will provide a detailed contract that describes the specifics of the job, so you know exactly what you are paying for.
- Storm Chasers – Lastly, you should pay attention to where a roofing contractor is based before you hire them. Some roofing companies look for areas that have been recently affected by storms and offer to repair storm damage, even though those companies are based far away. In our experience, it’s best to go with a contractor who is based in your area because they will be more familiar with the local weather conditions, and because they will generally do better work for members of their community.