Roof repairs are some of the biggest investments you will put into your property and because roof repairs are so expensive it is important to hire someone who does good and ethical work. Here are a few tips to help you find an ethical roofing contractor.
Ask for Credentials
An ethical and professional roofing contractor will talk about his credentials proudly. Ask your contractor if they are registered with the National Roofing Contractors Association and the Arizona Roofing Contractors Association. The NRCA and ARCA also have member directories on their website which list every association approved contractor.
Unlicensed contractors are an issue in this industry and fortunately, the Arizona Registrar of Contractors requires all licensed contractors to register with their office. Do not hire an unregistered contractor.
Ask your contractor what kind of products they use and if they are a certified manufacturer and installer. Are they licensed to do certain roofing jobs such as the application of SPF foam? A good contractor will have their certifications displayed prominently on their website or in their office.
Question their Process
Your contractor should have answers for every question you have about the repair of your roof so don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask how many supervisors they will have on the project. Ask them how long they expect the project to take and ask them to explain in detail each step of the project. An ethical contractor will have no problem explaining their process in order to bring you peace of mind.
Don’t be afraid to ask for references, ask to look at photos of a project, or to look up online reviews to see if your contractor has fostered a good reputation.
A contractor that is unwilling to answer your questions is not the one you want to hire.
Obtain a Written Proposal
Sit down with your contractor and get a written proposal from them. The proposal should lay out each step of the process including what materials the contractor is using, how long the job will take and what the job is going to cost.
A written proposal gives each party agreed-upon terms and limits anyone’s ability to cut corners.
Inspect their Warranty
Homeowners looking for a roofing contractor too often overlook the warranty provided by the contractors.
A contractor’s warranty should be comparable with the length they have been in business. Do not hire a contractor that is promising a ten-year warranty and has only been in business for one year. That contractor could be out of business sooner than the length of the warranty.
If you are working with a contractor who has been in business for 30 years then you can feel confident the company can provide a five to ten-year warranty.
Ask the right questions and follow these steps and you will be able to find an ethical contractor.
Pat Overson is the owner of Overson Roofing in Mesa Arizona. Overson Roofing has served its clientele with respect and professionalism for over 30 years. The company won the Better Business Bureau Blue Torch Award for ethics in 2016.
