Roofs are exposed to the weather and elements and experience damage overtime causing cracks, leaks, and more. To prevent the need for repairs, roofing contractors recommend replacing your roof every 15-20 years depending on the type of roofing material. Is it time for you to consider hiring a roofing contractor?
What do Roofing Contractors do?
Roofing contractors are professionals who are hired to install, replace or repair roofs, and they specialize in roofing construction. Usually, a roofing contractor is licensed with the state. They can either work for themselves, subcontract out the work, or be employed by a roofing company.
8 Questions to Ask your Roofing Contractor
- Are you licensed and can you show proof of it?
Licensed roofing contractors are required to take tests to prove their expertise in their area of work. This assures you that the person doing the job is up-to-date on the latest best practices for installing roofs and repairing them, including permitting rules as well. If the roofing contractor is unlicensed, there is no guarantee on any of those things. Morrison Custom Construction is licensed in the state of Pennsylvania under HIC # PA100527. - How long have you been in business and are you insured?
The longer the contractor has been in the roofing industry, the better because you know they have a lot of experience and have been successful in previous jobs in order to stay in the business. Ask them for proof of insurance in case anything should happen to go wrong. Morrison Custom Construction has over 20 years of experience in roofing and exterior remodeling and is fully insured. - Who will be installing my roof and can I see a job they are currently working on?
This ensures you know whether the person you are talking to directly is the one doing the job or if they are subcontracting the job out to someone else. For previous work that Morrison Custom Construction has completed, check out our recent projects. - When will you be able to schedule me, and how long will the project take?
If you are in immediate need of a roof, it may not be a good idea to hire a person who cannot work on your roof for another month or two. Finding out how soon they can work on your job will help you determine whether or not you’d like to hire that roofing contractor. For availability, contact Morrison Custom Construction. - Will my old roof be removed?
Sometimes there are hidden problems that cannot be identified just from looking at the roof, so you should make sure your roofing contractor will be removing your old roof to ensure all problems have been identified before installing a new one.
- How will you protect my gutters during the installation process?
Most roofing contractors should be using standoffs or ladder stabilizers in order to protect the gutters. Be sure they give you an answer to this question before hiring them because you do not want to replace your gutters in addition to your roof. - How will you protect my property from damage that might occur?
There is a lot of equipment involved when getting a new roof, so make sure you know whether or not the contractor will be careful in protecting your property during the job. Not only is Morrison Custom Construction careful not to damage your property, but we also clean up after ourselves to remove any nails or debris. - Will you provide a written estimate?
It is important to have everything in writing before agreeing to anything, you do not want any hidden or extra costs added when the job is completed.
How to Choose a Good Roofing Contractor
- To choose a good roofing contractor, you should ask them all the above questions as well as any others you would like answered.
- In addition, you should ask friends and neighbors for any local recommendations. Getting referrals from people you know can help to ensure the company is legit and knows about local regulations.
- You can also search the Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings to see how they score against other contractors. See Morrison’s BBB profile.
- Be sure to know the material options available to you, such as metal, asphalt shingles, slate shingles, cedar shingles, and CertainTeed roofing shingles. Learn more about the different roofing materials that we offer. If a roofing contractor does not mention different roofing options, they are doing you a disservice.
- Remember that cheaper does not equal better. It’s worth it to spend a little bit more upfront to ensure a quality job so you do not have to spend even more money fixing problems down the line.
- Finally, make sure they are good at communicating with you. Make sure they are returning your calls and sending documents you’ve asked for before hiring them. If the communication is not happening before the roofing contractor is hired, they’re most likely to continue that lack of communication during the job as well.
How to Deal with a Roofing Contractor
When dealing with a roofing contractor, you should know exactly what it is that you need, and specify that in your contract. Get all payment amounts written and decide the payment schedule in the contract to avoid confusion. Morrison Custom Construction is a roofing contractor you can trust. We will help you choose the best roofing material for your needs by discussing benefits and costs upfront, so you are satisfied with your new roof when it is completed.
If you want the job done right the first time, contact Morrison Custom Construction, LLC. With over 20 years of experience, Morrison has the expertise to replace or repair your roof along with any other exterior remodeling improvements that you need. We have many satisfied customers and appreciate the opportunity for your business. Call us today for a free estimate at 610.636.9637