When it comes to roofing contractors, they are not all the same. Commercial roofs or any roof for that matter are an investment. As a business owner, you want to make sure that you get your money’s worth out of your investment, and that means ensuring that the right people do the job. Today we will be talking about what the signs of an unprofessional contractor are so that you can stay protected and avoid any hassle.
At Liberty Roofworks we strongly believe that both home and business owners should have access to reliable and trustworthy roofing information. Educating yourself on roofing prior to hiring a contractor and having a roof installed can help prevent scams from occurring. That is why we created our Learning Hub where we post new informational roofing-related content every week. We cover a wide variety of different topics which can help you make a better-informed decision for your roof. Check it out for yourself!
Signs of an unprofessional commercial roofing company
There are many warning signs to look for when hiring a roofing company or contractor, as with anything. However, before we dive into the list we want to say one important thing which is to trust your gut. At the end of the day, go with your instincts and never feel pressured to work with anyone that you have doubts about. It’s your money and your building on the line, you get the final say.
They are not licensed or insured
Both of these things are extremely important to have and should be considered before hiring a roofer. Failure to hire a roofer with these things can lead to you being liable for things such as injuries and installation problems. Your property value can also be impacted when using an unlicensed contractor and you may not have a warranty to fall back on should any issues arise. Overall, it is always best to hire both a licensed and insured contractor to install your commercial or residential roof.
Finding out if the roofer you are interested in is licensed or insured should be an easy process. Most of the time this information can be found on their website. If you can not find it online, a simple request for proof should be all it takes. If the roofer in question gets at all defensive or difficult once this is asked, take that as a sign and move on to the next candidate. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
They have bad online reviews
One of the first things you should do is google the name of the contractor or company you are interested in working with. You should then be able to view reviews left by previous customers. Reviews can tell you a lot about a company’s work ethic and the quality of their jobs. If you see multiple poor reviews or a negative trend in comments, it is best to not work with that company.
It is also important to look at how the company responds to negative reviews. On google reviews, for example, something all companies tend to have set up, the business can respond to any reviews good or bad. In most cases, bad reviews get responded to because it is public and the company wants to try to remedy any issues that may have occurred. If you notice a company getting defensive or mean in its responses, that is a bad sign. This shows unprofessionalism and does nothing but damage the appearance of the company at the end of the day.
They have much cheaper prices than other roofers
One thing that we always stress to people is to be sure to get multiple quotes before beginning a roofing project. If one company, in particular, offers much cheaper prices than everyone else, that should be taken as a red flag. You get what you pay for when it comes to roofing, and if there is a drastic price difference that means that corners are being cut somewhere. This can be in either the tear-off process, the quality of the materials used, or even how the new roof is installed. It may seem tempting to go with the cheapest option, but if it seems too good to be true then it likely is. Corners being cut can easily lead to issues down the line that will cost you even more money. Again, your roof is an investment and you want the best work done possible.
They won’t answer questions
This is a huge red flag that should not be ignored. If a company or contractor fails to answer your questions, whether they avoid them all together or get defensive, you should not work with them. At the end of the day, you are the paying customer putting up a large sum of money and you should be working with someone who is more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Contractors who truly stand behind their work and value their customers would be sure to answer all of your questions. You deserve to be informed and up to date on what your money is going towards.
There is poor communication
Not answering any questions is already poor communication, but there is more to be added here. At the end of the day, you are a paying customer and they should be trying to win you over. This means responding in a timely and professional manner. If you notice that days pass before responses that is a red flag. If you notice they never answer phone calls or only talk in text messages, that should also be considered a red flag and a sign to keep your guard up.
If they never come to the job site in person prior to beginning construction, that is 100% a red flag and a deal breaker. Some roofers will come up with excuse after excuse to not come out and perform an inspection and speak with you in person, this is a bad sign and shows a lack of professionalism and pride in their craft. The right roofing company would get back to you in a timely manner, visit the job site as many times as needed, and make you feel good about working with them.
They try to pressure you to sign
Prior to any construction beginning, a clear and detailed contract needs to be signed that shows you are allowing the said company to work on your roof. Signing this contract should be completely up to you and only sign it if you think it is the right decision. Some roofers, who are bad ones, will do everything they can to pressure you to sign a contract so that the deal is locked in. They could try to scare you about the state of your roof or just be overly aggressive and rude. Either way, never work with a roofing company or any company for that matter that does that. The way they act prior to a contract being signed shows a lot about how they will be once the project begins, and you deserve to hire someone who is approachable and that you feel comfortable speaking to.
Wrapping it up
When it comes to something as expensive and important as getting a new roof installed, it is important to do your homework ahead of time. Failure to hire the right people can lead to damage and more money being spent out of your pocket. We hope that you now have a better idea of what red flags to look for when hiring a roofer for your commercial business. Remember, trust your gut and never be afraid to advocate for yourself.
We are here to help!
At Liberty Roofworks we understand the importance of a quality roof, and that is why we take what we do so seriously. With over 20 years of professional roofing experience under our belts, this family-owned and operated business has experience working on all types of commercial and residential roofs. No job is too big for us to take on! All of our roofers are professionally trained, licensed, and insured.
Customer satisfaction is our absolute top priority and we pride ourselves on our customer service skills. We work to keep our clients informed throughout the entire roofing process from start to finish. We are always more than happy to answer any questions they may have along the way and never pressure them into agreeing to anything they are unsure of. With the right company, getting a new roof installed or having any roof work done should be a relatively stress-free process.
Are you located in North Carolina and looking to have some roof work done? Whether you need a simple repair or a full replacement, we got you covered. Contact us today and we will be more than happy to send out an inspector to take a look at your roof and go over the next steps with you. With us, roofing is easy!