While getting a new roof can increase the value of your home, give an aesthetic appeal to its exterior, and improve its safety, a roof replacement is no small undertaking. Your roof is an essential part of your home, and as such, you can’t afford to leave it in the hands of someone lacking the qualifications or know-how to get the job done right the first time.
The first step to creating your perfect roof is to find your perfect roofer, but even the best-qualified roofer won’t be much use to you if he or she isn’t reliable. Cut corners, missed spot-checks, and improper procedures can cause serious problems down the line, and only a reliable roofer can guarantee a superior-quality product.
Here are some red flags to be on the lookout for when deciding on a new roofer:
1) Cannot Provide References
Although some customers will not want their contact information distributed, a reliable roofer should be able to provide at least a few references that can vouch for the roofer’s service and give a testimonial on their experience.
2) Pushy or Overly-Assertive
Unreliable roofers will sometimes show up to your house, hoping to pressure you into believing that you need a new roof. These types of “storm-chasers” will often show up unexpectedly while soliciting in neighborhoods, especially after a storm when it’s likely that your roof was damaged.
Do not immediately believe that you have a roofing problem, even if the roofer on your doorstep insists that he or she has found a major issue. Get a second opinion from a source that you know you can trust.
3) No Contract Prior to Project Commencement
Always get a solid and extensive contract before any work is done on your roof. This contract should detail, in no uncertain terms, exactly what will be done to your roof, the estimated cost, a timeline, and what will happen if something goes wrong.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you see any words or terms you are unfamiliar with.
4) No Transparency
The best, most trustworthy roofers will give you extensive details on the process, especially on pricing. After all, if their services are top-notch, they’ll want every opportunity to sell you on exactly how great your roof will be.
When deciding on price, you also want to make sure you know the breakdown of the bid price to avoid hidden fees at the end of the project. A trustworthy roofer should have no problem giving you all the information you need to make an informed decision.
5) Upfront Payment Terms
Most trusted roofers will not require the total payment upfront. Instead, they will set up a payment plan that includes a smaller deposit followed by regular payments after the job is finished. If a roofer is demanding the total payment upfront and offering no other options, start investigating their credentials. The last thing you need is to put money down for a new roof only to have the roofer disappear.
You also want to make sure that the offer is legitimate. If the price seems too good to be true because it is so low, it very well may be. Always shop around and get a few quotes to know if a price is too low to be legitimate.
6) Poor Communication
Easy communication is essential in any home improvement project that you are contracting someone to work on. After all, replacing your roof is a big investment, so you need to be certain that you and the roofer are on the same page, and that you can clearly communicate your expectations with one another.
If you feel as though the roofer is not listening to you, or you believe that he or she is not correctly interpreting your requests, you will want to reconsider working with them. Search for the best roofer until you find the one you believe will give you exactly what you’re asking for.
