Tips to Help You Choose the Right Local Roofer – Part 2

If you missed part one of this two-part blog series, click here. We’re talking about these tips to help you choose the right local roofer for your home or business. Because your home’s roof protects your family and belongings and your business’s roof protects staff, customers, inventory and equipment, it’s essential that your roof be properly installed and last as it should. Here is the rest of the information to help you choose the right local roofing company.

The Meeting

Once you’ve met with the roofing companies you think might be the right ones for your business, you’ll likely have a meeting with them. If they insist on coming by while you’re not home, don’t hire them. If they can’t find the time to meet with you, you don’t want to hire them. During the meeting, see if they listen to what you want for your new roof and clearly answer your questions. Remember, you’re looking at hiring this company to perform a service for you, which means you’re going to be their boss. Treat it like a job interview.

The Proposal

If they throw a number out and ask for a deposit, thank them, but don’t give them any money. You should never agree to do business with a local roofer who doesn’t provide you with a proposal in writing. It should be more than just a summary and dollar amount. It needs to include the following:

• Details about the products – Most proposals
  include the brand and color of the roofing product to protect both the consumer
  and installer from ordering the wrong product, however, it should also include the
  type of underlayment and any other items being replaced like gutters and vents.
• Service details – Is your new roof going to be
  installed over the old one or will the old one be torn off? Is there an
  additional fee for disposal of the old roofing materials? Are they replacing
  all the flashing? All of these items should be addressed in the quote. If they’re
  not, have them added.
• Warranty or Guarantee – Does the local roofer
  include a workmanship warranty or installation guarantee. You only have
  recourse if they provide it to you in writing so make sure it’s part of their
  proposal or they provide it separately. If they send you to their website,
  print it off before they have a chance to change it. Also ask if the
  manufacturer you’ve chosen honors their product when they install it. An unlicensed
  roofer or one who isn’t certified to install the product may not be able to
  provide the manufacturer’s warranty.

Final Bit of Advice

Make sure to verify their license again before providing a deposit. Also call their insurance agency and ask them to verify the policy is still in force. These two items take just a few minutes but protect you. And, if local roofer doesn’t have a local address and asks for full payment up front, they have a problem and you shouldn’t hire them.

Suncoast Roofing Solutions provides both residential and commercial roofing services throughout the greater Tampa Bay area. Call (813) 283-2544 or fill out our contact form today for your estimate.