What to Look for in Phoenix Roofing Contractors
If you’re scanning the market for a roofing Phoenix contractor, like KY-KO Roofing systems (or any other roofing contractor for that matter), you should know that you’re facing a big and hugely significant investment. After all, a quality roof isn’t cheap, and you are advised to keep a sturdy one for those pestering rainy days.
Furthermore, you don’t want anyone with a hammer and nails in their hands to meddle with your roof. Therefore, hiring a contractor should not be a decision that you’ll make lightly.
How to choose the best roofing Phoenix contractor
There are tons of contractors out there, who claim all sorts of things with nothing to show for in the end. Prior to choosing your contractor, you should learn how to evaluate the available companies, and see which ones are the best fit for your needs.
A quality roof job needs to be done right the first time, making it even more important to make a well-informed choice in advance, even if it amounts to a higher price than the average one. Here are some basic tips that you can apply when looking for a good roofing contractor.
References
Always ask for references. If you stumble upon a contractor that offers a full list of promises, you’ll do well to remember to vet them afterwards. Make a few phone calls, ask a friend, search the web. Anything you can find can be of help. You could also call the chamber of commerce and inquire whether the roofing company you are thinking about hiring is a long-time member or a newbie. Ask for professional references from the roofing company. If they don’t have any, that’s usually a bad sign.
Maybe there’s a negative review out there that you would otherwise neglect. Or maybe, you’ll find a long list of satisfied customers. This is the best way to make sure the roofing company is capable of doing a quality roof job. Either way, you should do your homework.
Be certain the roofing company has the proper license
In many states, roofing companies are not allowed to operate without a permit. Therefore, always check if the company has the proper license to perform work in your home. The license often separates the most experienced companies from the less experienced ones. Check with the local authorities or ask the companies themselves to show you their documentation.
Are the employees skilled enough?
A reputable roofing company always consists of trained and experienced employees. Check the skill level of the employees of the companies you are interested in. Are they regularly undergoing safety training? It’s a good sign if they are, since it significantly reduces the risk of accidents or a poorly done roof job.
Ask to see the training regimens the employees are undergoing. This way, you will know whether the contractor sends you qualified and experienced roofers, or newly hired workers with no proper training.
Make sure the roofing company offers a guarantee
Most of the roofing contractors offer a product guarantee. However, a product guarantee is not enough if the company does a poor job installing your roof. Therefore, you should always search for a company that offers both product and installation guarantee. This way, even if the contractor makes a mistake, you can rest assured that it will be taken care of.
Get insurance
The roofing company should have liability insurance that will protect both you, the homeowner, and the workers, from accidents. In other words, if an employee gets injured, the insurance protects you from liability, but will also keep you safe from responsibility if the workers damage your roof during the project. Always ask the contractor to give you proof of insurance.
Also, ask to see the exact liability coverage certificates and make sure they are valid for the duration of your roofing project. Without insurance, you may be found responsible for medical and other bills resulting from a worker’s injury, or the repair costs for the damage caused to your roof.
Make sure you have a place where you can voice your concerns
While nobody expects a catastrophe on-site, there are occasions when you might realize that your roof has wide open cracks, while the workers are packing up and leaving for the night. In this case, you should be informed if there’s a manager you can speak to about the problem and voice your concerns.
Some companies promise you an on-site manager at all times, yet the manager is nowhere to be seen – no one assumes responsibility. Make sure that you can leave a complaint about this to the company, and make them provide you with a project manager as soon as possible. At the end of the day, they should also avoid leaving a mess (shingles, sharp wood, etc) on your roof prior to finishing their work for the day.
If the company is reluctant to speak to you regarding this matter, you are better off without their services.
Get a contract in writing
You must not rush into signing a contract with a company you just started negotiating with. However, after you complete the aforementioned steps, all you need to do is sign a contract with the roofing company of your choice. Even if you agree upon every aspect of the required work, and your roofing contractor is willing to live up to your expectations, signing the contract is a step you must take to ensure that all the terms and conditions are legitimate.
The contract usually includes the materials to be used, work days, the price, and all other important aspects regarding your roofing project. Make sure that an attorney can review it, so you can identify any possible loopholes in it.
Applying these tips will give you the peace of mind you need when hiring a roofer to do your roofing project. Make sure you go through all of them, as skipping some can result in a major setback down the road. In the end, you want your roof to be perfect, not just mediocre, right?