Guidelines For Choosing A Roofing Contractor
Choosing a roofing contractor for your home improvement job can be a difficult and time-consuming endeavor. This list of guidelines is provided to help you make a well-informed decision.Â
- Take the time to visit the contractor's physical place of business. Verify the contractor is properly equipped to support your roofing needs, both in staff members as well as equipment.
- Request proof of Workers' Compensation & General Liability insurance coverage from the contractor. Ask for copies of both insurance certificates and be sure to call the agent/carrier directly to verify that the insurance is in good standing.
- Insist on a detailed written proposal. Examine the proposal for complete descriptions of the work and specifications, including type of materials, as well as payment procedures.
- Read and understand the warranties. Do they include labor and materials? How long?
- Look for a proven track record. Does the contractor offer client references and a list of completed projects?
- Make sure the contractor is financially stable. Ask for a list of suppliers to verify payment history. If a contractor has financial instability, it could make your project slow down or stop all together.
- Request a list of roofing manufacturers with which the contractor is licensed and/or approved as an applicator.
- Ask for the contractor to explain how he/she goes about quality-control procedures.
- Maintain a healthy skepticism about the lowest bidder. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Make sure to call your local Better Business Bureau and your county Code Enforcement to check for any possible complaints filed against the contractor.
Better Business Bureau - (561) 842-1918 www.seflorida.bbb.org
Code Enforcement:
Miami-Dade - (305) 375-2333 www.miami-dadeclerk.com/cef
Broward - (954) 917-1330 www.broward.org/building/bpi00402.htm
Monroe - (305) 289-2583 www.monroecounty-fl.gov
We hope that these guidelines can help you make a quicker, easier and more informed decision about who will be your next roofing contractor for your home improvement project.
