The phrase "roof over your head" has become synonymous with a house, and with good reason — it's one of the most important parts of the house. A roof protects you from the elements and keeps your home dry and comfortable. A roof should last about 20 - 50 years depending on the material it's made from, but if you have a problem with your roof, it usually requires urgent attention. But how do you find a reliable roofing service?
If you wade through advertisements, you'll find every company claiming to be the best. Fortunately, there are some ways you can make sure you're dealing with a reputable roofer. Before you hire them, ask these four questions.
#1. How long have you been in business? Experience matters when it comes to almost anything construction-related, so you want to make sure you have a company that is well-experienced. A new company doesn't necessarily equal a bad company, but you will have to do a little research to make sure they're reliable.
#2. What kind of warranty is offered? A roof warranty comes in two parts. The manufacturer covers the materials and the roofing company covers the actual installation. Most roof warranties are around a year, but extended warranties are available. Before you deal with a roofing company, make sure it's clear what kind of warranty you're getting, and be sure to ask specifically what it covers.
#3. What kind of insurance do you have? Professional roofers need several types of insurance to protect the homeowner, including workers' compensation and liability. The first covers the homeowner in the event a contracted employee is injured, and the second covers damages to your home caused by the roofers. If a company does not carry these insurances, you could actually be held responsible for someone's medical bills if they're hurt while working on your house.
#4. Do you have employees or sub-contractors? Ask your roofing company if the people that will be doing your job are actual employees of the company or if they're contractors. If they're contractors, make sure they have their own insurance and licenses to do this kind of work. It wouldn't be a bad idea to get their names either, so you can check online to see if they have any business complaints.
None of the questions on this list should be "make or break," or questions that make you turn down a company on that answer alone. But as a whole, these questions should give you a good idea about what kind of company you're dealing with.
For more information on roofing, contact a company like Ketchum Roofing & Windows.
Once you watched someone put a roof on a home, you have a much deeper understanding of what's involved in this sort of work. Roofing is not easy. There's a big mental component since the roofers need to decide how how many shingles to use, how to best lay them out, and so forth. Then, there's the physical aspect of roofing. Lugging packages of shingles onto the roof is not easy, and nailing them down take a lot of work, too. With that in mind, we welcome you to read more about roofing on this blog. Let the articles inform your opinion of the profession.