Owning a property is very rewarding, but it also tacks on many responsibilities that weren’t there before. When you become a homeowner, you become responsible for the roof protecting you, your family, and your guests.
Liberty Roofworks is an established company that provides high-quality roofing in Charlotte, NC. We’ve developed years of understanding of the roofing market and want to share it with consumers. Read on for an impartial evaluation of why it’s important to hire a local roofing contractor.
Why You Should Choose A Local Company
Finding the right company can seem like a difficult task. We’ve all heard horror stories of scams involving overcharging or contractors that do a poor job and then are nowhere to be found. For this reason, it’s advised to hire a local roofing contractor with a positive work history. There are several reasons why this is a good idea;
- Quick Responses: Smaller, local companies are more likely to respond to any queries or complaints quickly. They take personal pride in their work.
- Community-Led: Selecting a local company means you’re benefiting your local economy and community.
- Small and Experienced: Form a personal bond with your contractors — they might even be your neighbors.
- Knowledge of Local Regulations: The company will have an expert knowledge of laws and licenses they need to consider to work on your home.
- Emergency Service: A company that is based nearby will be able to get to your property more quickly in case of an emergency.
Struggling to know which local contractor to choose? Read on to discover how to find the right company.
What Should I Look For In A Roofing Contractor?
Hiring a local roofing contractor is the best way to protect yourself from roofing scams. Many disreputable contractors try to take advantage of homeowners. This is particularly the case if they show up just after a major storm — these people are known as storm chasers.
There are several key signs that the contractor you’re hiring is trying to scam you. These include:
- Suddenly increasing costs halfway through the project, without explaining why.
- Creating or exaggerating damage.
- Insisting you pay all costs upfront.
- Promising your insurance company will pay for the repairs when you’re unsure if this will really be the case.
It’s no wonder that homeowners find hiring a roofing contractor to be so stressful. However, there are some key things to consider when choosing any person to work in your home.
Licensed
Make sure that your roofing company is licensed. If it is not, it’s a good sign that it’s a scam. All a company has to do to get a license is to register with your state board. This means that if they were to cause any issues to your roof, you could hold them responsible.
There are several types of licenses that you should look out for. For example, your contractor will only need a home improvements license if you need smaller repairs. However, they need a general contractor’s license if they are doing an expensive roof installation that costs more than $25,000.
Being licensed is not a sure sign that a roofing company is reputable. However, it is a good place to start.
Insured
Any reputable roofing company will have a comprehensive insurance package. This means that you are not financially responsible if any accident happens to a contractor while they are working on your roof. It also means that if the roofing repairs themselves cause any issues, you will be able to get your money back.
If your roofing contractor doesn’t have valid insurance for your state, you should not use it. Unfortunately, roofing accidents do happen, and the wrong insurance can lead to a huge loss of money. Stay safe and only use roofing contractors that are insured.
Bonded
Bonding companies certify roofing contractors when they trust them to do a good job. They’re in a place to protect the consumer. If a contractor provides a bad or incomplete repair job, the bonding company will pay for the necessary repairs and chase up the contractor to make it right.
Bonding companies risk paying a lot of money if the contractors and companies they support regularly do bad repairs. This means they only bond companies that they know will make the best quality repairs. Being bonded protects you and shows that the company is reputable.
Shingle Manufacturer Approved
A company that is shingle manufacturer-approved is sure to stand out from the crowd. Usually, the single local manufacturer picks a few of the top companies to certify. This means that they work in partnership, often lowering the cost of materials.
Shingle manufacturers only pick companies that they can trust. If they are associated with a bad company, it can also affect their reputation and revenue. It also means that the roofing contractor knows how to install the shingles correctly and uses the manufacturer’s recommendations. This is good news for your roof, as a well-installed shingle base is likely to make it last much longer.
Shingle manufacturer approval is very competitive. This means that if a business has it, it is likely to provide high-quality services. Although it’s not necessary if you want a good contractor, it is a very good sign.
Questions To Ask
There are some key questions that you should ask when approaching any roofing business. This will let you check that they are a legitimate and legal company that trusts their services’ quality.
How Long Has The Company Been in Business?
Taking a chance on a new roofing company can seem like a good idea. The prices are often lower, and they are keen to do a good job and get loyal customers. It’s important to note that just because a roofing company is less established doesn’t mean it’s not as good.
However, the roofing market is very competitive. The market in the US alone is expected to be worth $47,517.8 million by 2025. This saturated market means that a lot of newer roofing companies go out of business after a few years. Choosing an established company means that it’s more likely to still exist if you have a problem with your roof in ten or twenty years.
What Warranties Are Provided?
Always choose a roofing contractor that has a solid warranty on their services. This means that the company believes that the roof they are installing or repairs they are making will last for a long time. As a general rule, the longer the warranty, the better the company is likely to be.
Companies that don’t provide warranties are much more likely to provide low-quality repairs. They will often leave your roof needing more work doing very soon. This can cost you a lot of money in the long run.
However, some roofing companies provide warranties but don’t honor them properly. If possible, you should consult with past customers to make sure the contractor stays true to their word.
Can You Consult With The Company Owner?
Nothing’s more frustrating than having a problem, calling up the company, and being passed from person to person — none of whom have the authority to make it right. Speaking to the owner is a good sign that the company is reputable and honest.
Background Research
Any company will provide a potential customer with the best possible view of their business. Although asking the previously discussed questions is an important way to know more, you should also conduct background research. This involves collecting testimonies from previous customers. It can be done in two main ways.
Previous Customers
The best way to find out if a company is as good as they say they are is to talk to people who have used their services. If you have family and friends in the local area, you should ask them what their roofing experiences have been like. This will let you rule out bad companies and learn more information about reputable ones.
Do you personally know anyone who’s used your local roofing company? You can often use social media platforms to reach out to previous customers. You local community group is a good place to start.
Online Reviews
You should also take time to search for online reviews. Unlike directly speaking to previous customers, you are usually unable to ask questions about a specific service. This means that if the service you want is unusual, there may not be many reviews.
The positive side of using online reviews is that you can gather a lot of information in a short space of time. A company with hundreds of five-star reviews is likely a good place to use. However, if lots of people have reported issues with the service they provide, you should give it a miss.
Hire Your Perfect Local Roofing Contractor
Choosing the perfect local roofing contractor doesn’t have to be hard. The majority of companies are reputable, honest, and reliable. However, it’s important to do thorough research to make sure that you don’t fall victim to a roofing scam.
You can easily avoid roofing scams by looking out for suspicious behavior, consulting previous customers, and making sure they’re licensed. Your property will be back in perfect condition in no time at all.