When your roof is home builder, you can either repair it yourself or leave it to the experts. Obviously this depends on the kind of damage. Some damages like a small leaking hole can be easily repaired using a sealant. For more serious damages, you will want to hire professional services to make sure everything goes well. Ask your friends or family on what they can recommend when it comes to hiring roofing contractors.
Hiring someone to do a job can be a great help. However, there are some contractors who pose as the real deal but are actually frauds who are after your money. There are also some contractors who are not licensed, or present a work that is not of quality. There are things you need to research and investigate before you dive into an important decision such as this. Here are some reminders before you take the plunge.
Are They Licensed?
First and most importantly, check if the contractor is licensed or certified; this means the contractor is very knowledgeable about roofing. Hiring roofing contractors who are not licensed can be very risky; if anything goes wrong, the state cannot help you. Make sure the contractors are active and licensed in your state. To find out if they are licensed, you can contact the licensing board in your state. You also need to find out if there are any complaints registered to that contractor it is better to be safe than sorry.
Are They Insured?
Contractors are supposed to have worker’s compensation and liability insurance. The worker’s compensation covers any injury the contractor encounters while working on your roof. The liability insurance covers any damage to your property while the contractor is on the job. As you can see, hiring roofing contractors require such vital details which protect both the contractor and your property. Unlicensed or uninsured contractors most probably do not have these essential requirements.
Specify Details
Once you have chosen which contractor to work with, set every detail down on paper. State on a written contract everything from the scope of work, materials and work timeframe to the payment schedule and overall price.
Working Permit
Let the contractor acquire a city building permit before starting to work on your roof; do not do it yourself. This permit requires having a city inspector come to your home and inspect the contractor’s work for the homeowner’s protection. The permit is especially needed when hiring roofing contractors for large and more expensive projects. But just the same, have the contractor get one regardless of the price.
When to Pay
Do not ever give any upfront payment for the job. You do not want to give them money only so they can run out on you and disappear. Make sure that you give the final pay only after the project has been completed, inspected and approved.
Your home is one of your greatest investments. It is only natural that you will want to have able and trustworthy contractors to work on its repair and maintenance. Remember that you need to protect yourself and your property when it comes to hiring roofing contractors as well as other services.
