The average roof, when properly maintained, can last for 25 to 30 years. While some materials surpass this mark, this is considered the “average lifespan.”
This means that at some point during your life, you will have to find a roofing contractor in Meridian for roof replacement.
While this may seem like a straightforward task, not all roofers provide a quality roof repair experience. Because of this, you need to get to know your local options for roofing contractors and avoid some of the most common mistakes made when hiring this professional.
1. Not Using A Contractor With Sufficient Insurance
While you may want to try to save money by choosing a self-proclaimed handyman off Craigslist for roof replacement, this isn’t a smart option. In many cases, this will cost you more than hiring a professional from the start.
A quality roofing contractor will carry the proper insurance. At a minimum, you want to find a contractor who has general liability and workman’s comp insurance coverage.
2. Failing To Consider Contractor Experience
Installing a new roof on your home or business isn’t a simple task. It takes years to master the skills needed to do this.
Because of this, you must avoid hiring a roofer who is new to the business. While you don’t have to find someone with 30 years of experience, you need to make sure they have installed other roofs successfully in the past.
3. Hiring An Unlicensed Contractor
You must hire a licensed roofing contractor. If you hire someone who is unlicensed to install your roof, it may mean they don’t know what to do or that they will cut corners and put your home at risk.
Along with asking about licensing, make sure you see the license and verify it is valid and that it hasn’t expired. Having proof is a must when hiring a roofing contractor.
4. Not Looking Into The Roofer’s Reputation
Make sure to do your homework when it is time to hire a roofer. Some reputation considerations to make include:
Location
Try to avoid using the services of a “door-to-door” roofer. A well-established, legitimate roofing company will have a physical office nearby.
If a roofer gives you a PO box address, be sure you follow up to ask about the address to their physical office. If they aren’t located locally, it is best to seek service elsewhere.
Read Customer Reviews
Reading online customer reviews is one of the best ways to learn more about the roofing company’s abilities and professionalism. You may be able to find testimonials on the roofer’s website, but it is smart to look beyond these.
Check out other sources of reviews, too, such as Angie’s List and HomeStars. These third-party sites tend to have more honest and transparent reviews than what a company posts on its website or social media pages.
Check The Roofers BBB Rating
The Better Business Bureau has a database of information on local businesses. Here you can find current and resolved complaints about the company. The site also lists customer reviews.
It’s a great resource to learn more about a company and how they handle complaints when they are received.
5. Hiring A Roofer That Doesn’t Stand Behind Their Work
It’s important to work with a roofing company that will guarantee the work they do and the materials they use.
Make sure you avoid “slippery” guarantees. These are the ones that only guarantee one of these things.
A quality roofing company is going to stand behind the work they do. They will also make sure you know that they only use quality products for their work.
6. Choosing The Roofer That Offers The Lowest Price
The installation of a new roof on your home or building is an investment. While you may want to make your roof repair budget stretch further by hiring the company with the cheapest estimate, this isn’t always the best plan.
You should never base your decision of who to hire for your roof replacement needs on the price alone.
Some roofers offer much lower prices because they use low-quality roofing materials. They may also cut corners when doing the work.
It is always best to use customer reviews, estimates, and other factors to decide who to hire.
7. Approving The Work Before It Is Done
A huge mistake you can make when it comes to roofing work is to approve the contractor’s work before the job is complete.
It’s also worth mentioning that a reputable roofing company or contractor will not require payment before the job is done. While a percentage of the fee may be requested, the bulk of the payment should not be made until the work is done.
You should only submit the final payment for the job after you have inspected the roof and it meets your needs.
It’s also essential that you have a written contract with the roofer. This will help if there is a dispute between you at the end of the job.
Hiring The Right Roofing Contractor In Meridian
Unfortunately, there are quite a few mistakes to be made when hiring a roofing contractor in Meridian. While this is true, you are in the perfect position to avoid mistakes when you know what they are.
Armed with this information, you should be ready to decide who to hire and feel confident you have found the right service provider for the job.
If you need more information about our roofing services or would like an inspection and quote, be sure to get in touch. Our professional team is here to help ensure your needs are met and that we exceed your expectations.
