A new roof is an expensive investment. When thousands of dollars are at stake, you need to know that the person you hire to do the job will do it well and for an honest price. Choosing the right roofing contractor can feel a little daunting if you aren't familiar with the local roofing industry.
Here are five signs to look for in a certified roofing contractor.
Licensing
A good contractor should be licensed if your state requires it. Licensing requirements vary from state to state so it's important to do some research on your state's particular requirements. For example, some states like Colorado don't require roofing specific licensing for roofers just general contractor licenses or business licenses. Other states, like Vermont, don't require licensing at all. Check the requirements for your state here. Local municipalities may have regulations, as well, so check those, too.
Certifications
Another sign of a great contractor is one who has taken the trouble to become certified in certain roofing systems. These certifications are usually offered by manufacturers and sometimes take years to achieve with continuous requirements to keep the certification up to date. Check to see what certifications your potential roofing contractor has completed.
Contract
A roofing contractor that offers a written contract is also a good sign. Although it would be nice if we lived in a world where all work could be completed with a handshake, it's better to protect yourself legally with a written document just in case things don't go as planned.
Deposit
A trustworthy roofing contractor will also not ask for all of the money for the job upfront. Rather, they will require a deposit of a percentage of the final job. The percentage is sometimes set by the state licensing requirements so if your contractor is licensed, they should abide by these guidelines.
References
Another sign of a quality contractor is someone who is willing to provide you with references. The references should include past customers who are willing to vouch for the work of the contractor. If a potential contractor offers a list of references, make sure to actually contact the references and check for yourself and not just take his or her word at face value. References can be vital for avoiding shoddy or incomplete work. A good contractor will have no qualms with giving you a complete list of references. A bad contractor may try to avoid the subject so keep that in mind.
