10 Things to Ask Your Contractor

By Alberta Allied Roofing Association. 

These tips and questions will help you find a reputable roofing professional for your next roofing project. 

Does your home need a roof or does your roof need to be repaired?  If so, make sure you’re selecting a reliable and reputable roofing professional. Below are ten things to think about as you select a contractor. 

1. How long they have been in business, and in particular, in your city/town? 

An established company will most likely still be in business in the future if any issues should arise. Ensure the company has been in business a minimum of 5 years and at least 2 years in the area. 

2. Does the company have a valid business license to operate in the city they are working? 

The company should have a regional business license, including a current city business license. 

3. Does the company have liability insurance and workers compensation coverage? 

Make sure the company has a minimum of $2 million liability insurance. WCB coverage is also very important because it also protects you, the consumer, if someone is hurt on your property. 

4. Ask the roofing contractor, who is going to be doing the work on your job, their company or a sub-contractor and who is ultimately responsible for the installation. 

This is important to understand because you want to make sure that the company you sign the contract with will be responsible for the workmanship. Roofing contractors often sub-contract the work to other roofing contractors and you need reassurance that if you sign the contract with a specific roofing contractor, they will stand behind the work done on your project even if they sub-contracted it to another roofing company. 

5. Ask if there are any cancellation clauses in the contract and be sure to understand what they are and how they are applied. 

In some cases, consumers are offered a free service to assist them with insurance claims but unfortunately if the consumer is not successful in getting the insurance on the job or chooses another roofer to complete the work, the company that assisted the consumer with the claim may charge a cancellation fee. Some companies may charge an estimating fee but many will apply the fee to the job if they are successful in getting the job. 

6. If the roofing company knocks on your door and suggests that you need a new roof and asks for money at that time to finalize the contract be sure to ask for them to show you their Pre-Paid Contractor License. 

Any company in the province of Alberta that is soliciting work away from their business offices should have a “Pre-paid Contractors License” which is issued by the Province of Alberta. 

7. Clarify the warranties that apply to your job. 

There are workmanship warranties which are provided by the contractor and typically run from one year to five years. This warranty covers the installation. There will also be a material warranty which is offered by the manufacturer of the products and those warranties vary depending on the products being installed. 

8. Is the contractor a certified installer of the products they offer? 

Certified contractors can offer enhanced warranties on the products they install and they follow stricter installation guidelines. 

9. Does the contractor have references and a list of jobs that they completed in the area? 

A reputable company should have a long list of satisfied customers that would be more than willing to give a good reference. They should also be able to supply a list of homes they have done in the area. 

10. Does the company give you a written estimate and contract? 

You should be given a detailed estimate of all of the job specifications including products being used and pricing for your roofing project. Once you have agreed to go ahead with the project, a written and signed contract is very important. 

Have a question? AskARoofer. 

Find your local roofing contractor in the RoofersCoffeeShop® Contractor Directory. 

Original article source: AARA