choosing a roofer"Sometimes you make the right decision, sometimes you make the decision right."
-Phil McGraw A legitimate roofing company should be able to provide the following:
1. Local references and roofing testimonials 2. Business License 3. Roofing credentials 4. Workers compensation insurance 5. General liability insurance 6. Written manufacturer warranties |
be prepared when interviewing potential roofers
"The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today."
-Elbert Hubbard
-Elbert Hubbard
Deal only with licensed and insured contractors and Verify the track record of any roofer, builder or contractor you're thinking of hiring. Ask for a list of recent customers and call them.
Get recommendations from friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, insurance agents and/or claims adjusters. Also check with your local BBB and Home Builders Association to see if complaints have been filed against any contractor you're considering.
Take your time when signing a contract and get written estimates that include any spoken promises or guarantees the contractor has made. But remember to ask if there's a charge for an estimate before allowing anyone into your home. Ask for explanations on price variations, and don't automatically choose the lowest bid. Get a copy of the final proposal before the job begins.
Resist dealing with any contractor who asks you to pay for the entire job up-front because a deposit of one-third to one-half of the total price is standard procedure. Pay the final amount after the work is completed.
Be skeptical of contractors who encourage you to spend a lot of money on temporary repairs and ask how much life is expected for your roofing system from your prospective roofer. And when do they think more repairs may be required. It’s possible the person at your door may be the person on your roof paid to do such repairs later on, and they may be more interested in making money off repairs then helping you to get a new roof paid for by your insurance company.
Ask a knowledgeable friend, relative or attorney to review a home repair contract before you sign and if you get a loan to pay for the work be cautious about using your home as security. If you don't repay the loan as agreed, you could lose your home. Consider asking an attorney to review the loan documents as well.
Get verification of a hailstorm or windstorm in your neighborhood by checking the NOAA website or The National Weather Service. Your neighbors are good independent sources as well in most cases.
Get recommendations from friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, insurance agents and/or claims adjusters. Also check with your local BBB and Home Builders Association to see if complaints have been filed against any contractor you're considering.
Take your time when signing a contract and get written estimates that include any spoken promises or guarantees the contractor has made. But remember to ask if there's a charge for an estimate before allowing anyone into your home. Ask for explanations on price variations, and don't automatically choose the lowest bid. Get a copy of the final proposal before the job begins.
Resist dealing with any contractor who asks you to pay for the entire job up-front because a deposit of one-third to one-half of the total price is standard procedure. Pay the final amount after the work is completed.
Be skeptical of contractors who encourage you to spend a lot of money on temporary repairs and ask how much life is expected for your roofing system from your prospective roofer. And when do they think more repairs may be required. It’s possible the person at your door may be the person on your roof paid to do such repairs later on, and they may be more interested in making money off repairs then helping you to get a new roof paid for by your insurance company.
Ask a knowledgeable friend, relative or attorney to review a home repair contract before you sign and if you get a loan to pay for the work be cautious about using your home as security. If you don't repay the loan as agreed, you could lose your home. Consider asking an attorney to review the loan documents as well.
Get verification of a hailstorm or windstorm in your neighborhood by checking the NOAA website or The National Weather Service. Your neighbors are good independent sources as well in most cases.
roof day checklist!
DAY 1 | MATERIALS & DUMPSTER DELIVERY
Please make sure we don't block your vehicle in the garage! I would go ahead and have that side of the driveway/garage vacant the night before just to be safe. We always drop materials the day before the work begins in preparation for our crew to start very early the next morning.
DAY 2 | ROOF DAY! CREW ARRIVAL & INSTALLATION
We show up well stocked with water and supplies, and very early in most cases. All we need from you is an electrical outlet to plug in our power tools. Typically we just run an extension chord to an outside/garage receptacle. If one's not available outdoors then we would need to run it from the inside. Aside from that no one needs to be home for the install unless you want to be.
DAY 3 | DUMPSTER/ROLL-OFF & EXTRA MATERIAL PICKUP
We’ll pick everything up the following business day after your roof installation is complete. Please leave a path for our trucks to p/up the additional materials.
Please make sure we don't block your vehicle in the garage! I would go ahead and have that side of the driveway/garage vacant the night before just to be safe. We always drop materials the day before the work begins in preparation for our crew to start very early the next morning.
DAY 2 | ROOF DAY! CREW ARRIVAL & INSTALLATION
We show up well stocked with water and supplies, and very early in most cases. All we need from you is an electrical outlet to plug in our power tools. Typically we just run an extension chord to an outside/garage receptacle. If one's not available outdoors then we would need to run it from the inside. Aside from that no one needs to be home for the install unless you want to be.
DAY 3 | DUMPSTER/ROLL-OFF & EXTRA MATERIAL PICKUP
We’ll pick everything up the following business day after your roof installation is complete. Please leave a path for our trucks to p/up the additional materials.
a few things to keep in mind:
Please excuse our mess during re-construction and be careful coming in and out of your home throughout the day. We'll cover up the shrubs/plants and anything else you would like with tarps to keep out unwanted debris. We also do a thorough clean-up at the end of the day and we like to leave yards looking better than we find them!
However, even using our magnetic nail sweeps, thousands of nails will come off the roof and it's very hard to get every single one. Please be careful in case we miss any! For that reason:
• Look under the dumpster when it's time for pickup for any nails that may have rolled underneath it.
• Check around the downspouts especially located near the driveway/walkways after the first few big rains for some nails to wash out. Occasionally one or two may be lodged in the gutters when we clean them out at the end of the installation. (Yes we clean out your gutters too!)
• If you have irreplaceable pictures or heirlooms hanging on the wall and not firmly secured then I would recommend setting them down on the floor during the re-roof. The jarring on the roof doesn't often cause things to fall of the walls but it can! Ask your crew leader and/or insurance restoration specialist for assistance if you need help.
• As always, please don't hesitate to contact us anytime if you have any questions! We look forward to putting on your new roof!!
However, even using our magnetic nail sweeps, thousands of nails will come off the roof and it's very hard to get every single one. Please be careful in case we miss any! For that reason:
• Look under the dumpster when it's time for pickup for any nails that may have rolled underneath it.
• Check around the downspouts especially located near the driveway/walkways after the first few big rains for some nails to wash out. Occasionally one or two may be lodged in the gutters when we clean them out at the end of the installation. (Yes we clean out your gutters too!)
• If you have irreplaceable pictures or heirlooms hanging on the wall and not firmly secured then I would recommend setting them down on the floor during the re-roof. The jarring on the roof doesn't often cause things to fall of the walls but it can! Ask your crew leader and/or insurance restoration specialist for assistance if you need help.
• As always, please don't hesitate to contact us anytime if you have any questions! We look forward to putting on your new roof!!