Inevitably, you’ll have to replace your roof at some point. When that time comes, you’ll have some important decisions to make. Not just what kind of materials to use – but more important- who will be installing the roof for you. 

Your home is your most significant investment and as such – you don’t want someone to come in who doesn’t know what they’re doing and make an expensive mess of things. Today, we’re going to discuss a few of the things you should ask a roof contractor before you sign on the dotted line. Let’s jump right in!

Are you a licensed contractor?

In our business, being credentialed is important. Do they have the proper licenses to practice in your state? Construction of any kind is a government-regulated profession as as such, contractors have to prove they’re qualified to perform their trade. Having that license will let you know that at the most basic – that they’re qualified to install a roof on your home. 

Do they have the necessary insurance?

The home improvement business isn’t always a straight-forward one and as such – things can go wrong, very wrong, in fact. And many times – that’s due to the fault of no one. Workers can get hurt, contractors can uncover otherwise hidden and undetectable messes and the like. So what happens, then? Who’s liable? What are you at risk for?

That’s where insurance comes in. All contractors should have – at minimum – workers comp insurance and general liability. This will ensure you that you won’t be held liable for any accidents that might happen either to the people working on your home or any damage that occurs to your property. 

Do you have references?

The best way to find out what you need to know about contractors is to talk to references. These are people who have worked with a contractor, experienced how they go about their business and are living with the final product. Want to know the real scoop? Ask for those references and give them a call! If a contractor doesn’t have those references, then it might be someone you pass on doing business with. 

Do you use subcontractors?

A lot of contractors don’t perform all of a particular job on their own. They may have others they’ll call in to do specific tasks pertaining to your project. Make sure you’re clear about how they pay their subcontractors, too. If they don’t pay their people, you can sometimes get swept up in the drama and be at legal risk. So make sure you dot your i’s and cross your t’s!

How do you like to get paid?

Every contractor is different – but payment plans are important and it’s crucial that you have that agreement in place, on paper and signed off on before any work is done to your home. Talk to your contractor about payment options and choose the one that fits the best with your needs. 

These are the important questions to ask a contractor. Hopefully, these will help get your project off to the best possible start. Good luck!