7 Important Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractor

Investing in a roof replacement is among the most important things you can do as a homeowner. After all, your roof is incredibly important, and when you notice problems such as leaks, it is time to act immediately. These problems can evolve into much more serious issues if ignored. As such, it is vital to get reliable roofing contractors to do the job. Along with that, you should prepare a list of questions for the contractor in advance. Doing so will ensure that you can trust them and that they are qualified for the job. In order to help you out, we have put together a list of 7 important questions to ask your roofing contractor to make sure they are trustworthy, and we hope you find it helpful.

1. Are they licensed and insured?

The first question should always be if the contractors are licensed and insured. Their license has to be up to date, and they need to be properly insured. Mainly, you should worry about liability insurance since it protects you from damage caused by the roofers during their work. Also, do not be afraid or ashamed to ask for documentation; a good contractor will always be able to prove their license and insurance with proper documents. So, if you check your roof for storm damage, and find that it needs repairs, always lead with this question.

2. Ask to see references

When you find a potential roofer, be sure to ask if you can see references and reviews from previous clients. Having a vote of confidence from a previous client is always a good thing. Additionally, this will help you gauge the quality of the contractor’s work through reviews and testimonies. Especially if we are talking about a roof inspection when buying a home, you will want to know that you are hiring the best of the best to get it done. So, ask to see references, and rely on the experience of previous clients to help you decide. And if the potential contractor refuses to show any references, maybe look elsewhere.

3. Ask which materials they offer

Once you identify, the next on the list of important questions to ask your roofing contractor is what kind of material they offer. By doing this, you can get a general idea of the materials available and the price range. This is important if you have a specific material in mind so you can know all of your options before making a decision. Roofing materials you can find are asphalt shingles, natural slate, metal roofing, and clay or ceramic tiles. Out of these, asphalt shingles are the cheapest, and metal is the most durable in the long run. Certain companies might also offer some rarer options, such as fish-scale shingles or slate-style shingles.

4. Ask what their change process is

Sometimes, contractors will run into hidden problems during their job, most commonly wood rot in this case, or if the homeowner changes their mind when they see the materials. The homeowner then needs to sign off on changes that will delay the project and most likely change the project’s cost. If any of this happens to be the case, you will want to know the exact process of signing off on these changes. So, always ask about the change process before hiring contractors. Especially if this is work being done on a new home, you will have your hand’s full preparing and packing for your move—the least you want to have on your mind are complications like this. A complete packing checklist is an excellent idea, especially for beginners, to stay organized. So, prepare to pack everything with ease ahead of time.

5. Ask if they offer storm damage repairs

Bad weather can easily ruin a roofing project at any point. As such, you will want to know if the contractor offers storm damage repair services just in case. The most common types of damage which occur are wind damage, debris damage, and water damage. Wind damage is not too dangerous, but it does expose your home to further damage. On the other hand, water damage and debris damage can be catastrophic, especially if you are in the middle of having your roof replaced. As such, it is important to have them accounted for as soon as possible.

6. Ask if they will remove the old roof or leave it on

Homeowners might choose to have their new roof placed directly on top of the old one in order to save on disposal and tear-off costs. However, in this case, your old roof might have hidden issues that will not be discovered and addressed. This might cause the new roof to fail prematurely, and anything you save through the process will likely be spent on repairs anyway. Still, it is good to know if the contractor you are considering even offers the option in the first place, as some roofers will outright refuse to build on top of an old roof.

7. Ask what other roofing services they offer

Somewhere down the line, you will have to replace or repair your roof again. As such, it is important to ask the contractor if they offer residential roof repairs as well as replacements. After all, if you are happy with the job they do, you are likely to rely on them again. So, when you spot a potential contractor, be sure to ask about all of their services.