Finding a Roofer: 5 Questions to Ask Your Potential Roofing Contractor

Apr 11, 2023 | Blog, How To Find A Roofer, Roofing Company, Roofing Contractor, Spokane

 

Are you getting ready to sit down with the contractors that gave you quotes for your roof replacement? If so, do you know what questions you need to ask them? So, what are those key questions to ask a roofing contractor? Always eager to educate on all things roofing, you’re going to get the top five questions to ask and the answer you should be looking for.  After learning about these five questions, you’ll have the opportunity to download a complete checklist of all the questions you should ask a roofing contractor.

Best roofing Contractor in Spokane

Are You Licensed, Bonded, And Insured?

The first thing you should ask a roofing contractor is if they’re licensed, bonded, and insured.

  • Licensed: For a contractor to get a license, all they have to do is register with the state’s board of licensing contractors. The price of the job will determine what license they’ll need.
  • Bonded: Being bonded means that a bonding company knows that a contractor does business correctly and ethically. A bond ensures that if a company goes out of business during the middle of a job or if there’s a problem with the work and they don’t fix it, then the customer can fall back on the bond company.
  • Insured: All contractors should be fully insured with general liability, workman’s comp, and a company vehicle insurance policy on all the vehicles owned and unowned.

Any residential roofing contractor with all three should be proud and more than happy to show you that paperwork. Keep in mind, the state you live in will have different requirements for each of them. Some states might only require the contractor to have one or another. Research your local codes and make sure the contractor you hire has all the appropriate permits and paperwork.

Is Your Business Local?

When looking at contractors to hire, it’s crucial that you pick one that’s local to your area. Always ask a roofing contractor where their physical office location is and make sure they have a local phone number. This ensures you know where to find them if you ever have a problem with your roof. Be aware that some out-of-state companies come in after a big storm, undercut local roofing company prices, get the money, and move on to the next storm-hit town. These companies don’t care about local codes or if they properly install your roof.

Are You Certified By Shingle Manufacturers?

The top shingle manufacturers pick six, eight, or 10 of the best contractors in any given area to go through their certification process. The certification(s) allows a contractor to offer the best warranties and enhanced warranties on the materials from the manufacturer. Ask the roofing contractor if they’re certified by any of the manufacturers and if you can see a copy of the certification. This certification tells a customer that the shingle manufacturer trusts that specific contractor and that they’re a reputable company.

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What Is Your Workmanship Warranty?

Roof warranties are in place to protect your roof investment. You’ll have one on your roofing materials and another on the contractor’s workmanship. You must ask a roofing contractor what kind of warranty they offer on their workmanship. They could offer anywhere from one year, two years, three years, five years, 10 years, 25 years, or even a lifetime.

If There Are Problems, Can I Talk To The Owner?

You should always ask a contractor, “If there’s a problem, who do I take it to?” The ability to speak to the owner about anything roofing is invaluable. If they take time out of their day to listen to any concerns or questions, you can be well assured that your problem is their problem. Whether it’s the owner or the president, you want to know who you’re dealing with and, more importantly, who to talk to when you have a problem. The ability to speak to an owner shows you that you’re important and that you’ll be taken care of from the very top.

Conclusion

Now that you’re armed with these questions, you should be ready to find the right roofing contractor in Spokane to help you with your next roofing project. Contact Rocky Mountain Exteriors in Spokane today for a free quote and see if we can get you started.

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