The Importance of Using a Roofing Contractor
To increase energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal in your home, it’s imperative that you hire a licensed roofing contractor for any re-roofing or other roof installation projects. Furthermore, many of these professionals also specialize in various forms of home-improvement work.
Re-roofing projects require careful management from start to finish, from laborers who remove your old roof to crews installing the new materials. Our experts understand all aspects of roof re-roofing projects so you don’t have to.
Expertise
Roofing contractors specialize in the exterior construction of homes. They possess the knowledge and skill required to work on any type of roof imaginable – shingles, tiles, metal or flat. In addition, roofing contractors also work on other home improvement projects like windows and siding installation.
A roofing contractor should be able to assess a project and present its general contractor with a written contract outlining timelines, cost estimates and material selections for consideration. They should also be capable of recognizing hidden damage that may not be readily evident.
General contractors (GCs) put much at stake during a project and must trust that their subcontractors can complete it according to project specifications and on schedule. A good roofing contractor should have an impressive track record that speaks volumes of past performance.
Experience
Roof contractors specialize in installing and repairing all types of roofs. Their knowledge includes various materials and styles like asphalt shingle roofs, metal, tile roofs and tiles as well as weather damage caused by weather, fire or falling trees.
An experienced contractor should conduct a complete assessment and inspection at your project site before offering an estimate over the phone; otherwise it calls into question their professionalism and quality of work.
Referencing should be part of any evaluation of potential contractors. Contact each of them individually and inquire as to their experience with them, particularly regarding dissatisfied customers who may have arisen during construction. A good contractor should go the extra mile in making customers satisfied.
Licensing
Your state or region may require you to obtain the necessary licenses, certificates, or registrations in order to operate as a roofing contractor. In addition, liability and workers’ compensation insurance should also be in place in order to offer homeowners peace of mind while also protecting your business.
New York law mandates that anyone performing residential roofing or related work must register with local licensing authorities; this includes repairs or replacement of roofs, gutters, downspouts or siding – though new construction does not fall within this registration requirement.
Oneida County requires that roofing contractors obtain a general contractor license. To do so, a trade exam, business and law exam and interview may need to be passed before an interview can be granted; this interview may be waived depending on meeting certain criteria.
Insurance
Roofers must carry general liability insurance. Should one of their workers accidentally break an eavestrough on customer property, this policy would cover its replacement. Furthermore, should any homeowner accidentally trip on roofing material on the roof, medical costs could also be covered through general liability coverage.
Roofers require workers’ compensation insurance in the event an employee is injured on the job; should an injury occur on your roof, this insurance will cover their medical bills and lost wages. Homeowners should check to make sure their chosen roofing contractor possesses this coverage before signing an agreement with them.
Roofers tend to purchase general liability coverage through the E&S market, which adheres to different regulations than regular carriers and can protect new businesses or dangerous professions that regular insurers will not cover. Requesting a quote is the best way of ascertaining which coverage a roofing contractor possesses.
Contracts
Contracts can either be the best friend or worst foe of a roofing contractor. Therefore, it is imperative for roofers to fully comprehend all provisions within their roofing contracts in order to understand their significance.
An ideal roofing contract would clearly stipulate the working hours and schedule of a roofing company, installation method and safety precautions, brand, official product name, type and color as well as manufacturer warranties for products being supplied by them.
Deposit and payment requirements will differ between contractors. It’s important to keep in mind that an upfront deposit should never exceed 75% of the total job costs, while progress payments shouldn’t surpass this percentage threshold either.