Realizing you need a new roof is difficult for any homeowner to swallow. Wading through the plethora of roofing company options can send you over the edge. But, choosing a bad or unethical roofer one is one of the costliest mistakes a homeowner can make. How do you cut through the information overload to find the best roofer for the job? Here are 5 easy questions you can use to determine if a company is legitimate, ethical, and up to the job.
What is the full legal name and physical address of your company?
It is so easy for a company to falsely represent itself these days. Get the legal name of the company so you can look them up in state and federal directories to confirm their legitimacy. In the same way, a company without a physical address is a cause for concern, as they may be out to scam you. For example, GreenCal 1440 N Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92835
What level of insurance to have?
Asking the question this way rather than simply asking IF they have insurance will tell you a lot. Roofing contractors should have workman’s compensation and liability insurance to protect their workers and you. In Southern California, residential roofing contractors are required to have general liability insurance. You can find out what level of insurance is needed in your state by googling “California roofing insurance requirements.” Be sure to look at a .gov website, not a .com or .net site to get the official information.
The contractor should have the minimum level of insurance required. If they don’t, or if they can’t tell you the required amount, move on.
Do you use subcontractors?
If the answer is yes, ask for the name and phone number of the subcontractor and ask them the same questions before proceeding. You want to make sure any subcontractor has legitimate business and is insured. This will help avoid unknowingly having the owner’s uncle who knows a little something about tools as your subcontractor.
Who will be on site during my installation?
Most larger residential roofing companies have several jobs going on at once, so the answer doesn’t necessarily have to be that the owner will be on site. But, a quality company will have an experienced project manager on hand to ensure your roof is installed properly and efficiently.
Can you leave the roof estimate in my mailbox?
This is a trick question. Although it may sound convenient, the answer you want to hear is “NO.” An ethical residential roofing contractor will refuse to do this for several reasons. They will want to ask you questions. They will want to talk to you about the roofing materials you prefer so they ensure your quote is accurate. They may need to check out your attic based on what they find on your roof.
What is your roofing price per square foot?
This is also a trick question. The answer is, “it depends.” Many factors go into determining the cost of a residential roofing job. These include the material you choose, the age and pitch of your roof, repair issues, and condition of the wood decking. If a contractor gives you a set price, they are not doing their homework, and this could end up costing you extra money and headache.
Asking these questions and knowing the answers to look for will help you be confident in your choice of a residential roofer. At GreenCal, we welcome these and any other questions you have. Give us a call today.
