Your roof plays an important role in the protection of your home, and the contractor working on your roof plays an important role in its performance and longevity. So when you need to have your roof repaired or replaced, how can you distinguish which roofers will get the job done right and which will not?
Here are some items that separate the good roofers from the bad:
Credentials
The number and quality of the credentials a roofer holds is a great place to start. If your roofer is certified by a company or product, that manufacturer recognizes the skill and training of your roofer and believes the roofer will install the product in compliance with all warranties and regulations.
You can also look for credentials like awards, association memberships, or ratings with the Better Business Bureau. Recognition from large organizations means a roofer stands out in business practices and skills and lends to their authority in a field.
Credentials can typically be found on the website of the roofer you are considering. Contractors love to promote the achievements they have worked so hard to garner. Therefore, if these pieces of information are not readily available, the roofer likely does not have them, and you should look elsewhere.
Material Choices
What materials does your roofer back? Even if a subpar product is installed perfectly, it is still subpar. Roofers tend to offer specific product selections, which can be an indication of the type of roofer you will be working with. A quality roofer will work with superior products; a bad roofer will install cheaper materials.
Take time to visit any potential roofer’s website to see what materials they offer. You can easily find information and reviews regarding those materials online. Don’t overlook this step. This is a major indication of which roofers you should hire and which you should not.
Attention to Detail
Roofs consist of more than just shingles. The entire roof system contains the shingles, underlayment, water barriers, decking, gutters, flashing, and drip edge. A good roofer will pay attention to all of these details. Roofers that install shingles without the protective drip edge are providing shoddy work. Look at past work from the roofer in questions to evaluate on the quality of their work.
Many contractors provide a roof inspection before completing repairs. If a roofer does not inspect the roof from inside the attic and never discusses roofing items other than the shingles, they lack the attention to detail that excellent work requires.
No Up-Front Payment
Don’t pay for work that has not been completed. If a roofer asks for payment up front, it’s a red flag. Bad roofers tend to take an extended amount of time to finish a job, never complete the job altogether, or complete shoddy work that does no good for your home. And if you pay a contractor before seeing what you are paying for, you’re out of luck — unless you want to delve into the headache of confrontation or even legal battles. Simply avoid these types of roofers altogether.
Local Ownership
When it comes to contractors, look for a locally owned company. National chains can have a down side, looking to create volume of work rather than quality. Locally owned companies are concerned with excellence and have a connection to your specific community. They know the weather conditions your roof will have to stand against, which is a major bonus.
Local contractors know the special permitting and coding for your region. They also bring a personability to the process.
Working Professionalism
Professionalism comes in a variety of packages. But professionalism in a roofer (and really any contractor) means timeliness, courtesy, honesty, and good communication. Your time is valuable because you are the client. Therefore, if your roofer does not show up on time or continually reschedules your repairs, they do not value your time.
When a contractor comes to your house, they should be respectful of your yard, home, and family, cleaning up their work area at the end of the day, not parking on your lawn, and being on time.
Ask past clients or read reviews to get a feel for the professionalism and work ethic of a contractor. A good roofer should provide a seamless and smooth installation but should also be friendly and easy to communicate with.
No Use of Subcontractors
Subcontractors are true contractors, but they work on a contractual basis. So how does this affect you? First, they have no direct relation to your hired company. Subcontractors are not employees, but rather, are brought in to help complete your intended project. This means that the company you hired for its specific values, goals, and attributes is handing your job to persons with no obligation to uphold these morals.
We at LifeTime Exteriors never use the services of a subcontractor. We want to ensure you receive only the best work in a timely and professional manner. Our team personally handles every project to ensure it is completed in accordance with our high standards.
Feel Secure in Your Roofer
Your roof shouldn’t let you down, and when you hire our team at LifeTime Exteriors, it won’t. For over ten years, our licensed and insured team has been securing roofs in the Portland metro area. We are professional, trustworthy, and work with only the highest quality roofing materials to ensure your roof lasts. We are also a preferred installer for Owen Corning & CertainTeed roofing materials, so you can be sure you are getting a proper installation and repair every time.
Feel smart and confident with a new, well-installed roof. Get a free estimate now by us by calling (503) 719-6644.
