The roof is expected to do the job of protecting your family and valuables from the weather outside, so it’s crucial to keep it in good shape at all times. Some homeowners wait until there’s an issue, such as a leak, before they do anything for their roofing system. It would be better, however, to find a reliable roofing contractor to provide regular maintenance services for your roof so it’s ready for every season. Choosing a roofing contractor for your home improvement project can often seem like an overwhelming task; you may have plenty of things to ask and might receive various answers from different roofers that will only add to your confusion. That being said, it’s best you cut right to the heart of the matter and determine what’s most important to you when picking out a roofing contractor.
PART 1:
Credentials: License, Bonds, Insurance Homeowners like you will need the assistance of trustworthy roofing contractors when considering the repair or replacement of your systems. While there are numerous companies out there that specialize in roofing services, it can be difficult and confusing to sort them out. To avoid being deceived by fly-bynight contractors and putting your entire home at risk, it’s advisable for you to seek professional contractors who can provide you with all the credentials needed to confirm their credibility. License, bonds and insurance are three of the most important credentials that can ensure the high-quality workmanship of a contractor. When your potential roofer can present all of these, you can rest easy knowing your roof will be in good hands. Read on to learn more about the importance of these three credentials:
1.
LICENSING – No matter how well your roofer seems to know his work, the first thing you should confirm is whether or not he is licensed by the state and that this license is in good standing. State licenses show that the roofer you’re about to hire has the right level of knowledge and expertise necessary to work on your project. These documents also allow you to check the contractor’s background and see if they have complaints on record. Make sure to verify the roofing license either with the state division of professional licensing or the local city office before signing any contract. BONDS – Simply put, bonds are a form of insurance to protect homeowners from contractor fraud. If the roofer fails to finish the job, doesn’t obtain the permits or fails to meet other financial responsibilities, like covering damage that workers cause to the property or paying for subcontractors and other supplies, the homeowner may petition for reimbursement through a third-party, private bond issuer or a recovery fund held by the licensing municipality. To confirm if a contractor is properly bonded, be sure to ask them for a bond number and certification.
2.
INSURANCE – Your roofer should also be able to present workers’ compensation and liability insurance. If an accident happens mid-project, workers’ compensation insurance will cover the medical expenses of the crew members injured on your property. Liability insurance, on the other hand, covers damage to your property. Without these coverages, you might end up being liable for the accidents and damage that occurred on your property.
Apart from having the right credentials, it’s also a plus if your roofing contractor is able to present manufacturer certifications! Learn about the importance of these certifications in the second part of this blog series.
3.
PART 2:
Manufacturer Certifications It might be surprising to learn that it doesn’t take much to be called a “roofer”. In some states, a person basically needs to have a hammer, some tools and enough knowledge about roof repairs to become one. That said, how do you know you’re hiring a reputable roofer for your project? One effective way to tell is by looking for manufacturer certifications, such as a GAF Master Elite® certification. Just like your roofing system, not all roofers are created equal, and the best way to ensure quality roofing work is by hiring the best of the best. That’s where manufacturer-certified roofers come in. Here are some of the reasons manufacturer certifications should be part of your research and selection process.
4.
ASSURANCE OF EXTENSIVE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE – Manufacturer certifications are the best reviews and referrals you’ll ever get about a roofing contractor. Roofing manufacturers offer their own certification programs to separate reputable contractors from dishonest ones. They all have rigorous requirements to qualify contractors who stand out in terms of service and workmanship. That said, a manufacturer-certified roofer is your best choice for your project because they have the necessary skills and knowledge for any type of roofing job. PLEDGE TO CONTINUOUS TRAINING – Achieving exclusive manufacturer certifications is one thing; maintaining them is another. Devoting time and effort to continuous education is a non-negotiable requirement to maintain a roofer’s certified status. To make sure homeowners receive nothing short of remarkable work for their roofs, certified contractors undergo ongoing technical training spearheaded by the manufacturing company. By choosing a certified roofer, you can rest easy knowing your roof will be repaired or replaced according to manufacturer standards.
5.
ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTIES – Only manufacturer-certified contractors have the privilege of providing the strongest warranties to customers. For instance, GAF Master Elite contractors have the green light to offer the Golden Pledge® warranty. Arguably the most comprehensive coverage of its kind in the industry, it covers material defects and workmanship errors for 50 and 25 years, respectively.
Lastly, you should consider the importance of actual roofing experience. In the last part of this ebook, we’ll discuss why experience should be one of the most significant factors in your selection process. Stay tuned!
6.
PART 3:
Actual Roofing Experience Your roof protects your home from intense weather conditions, keeps your family safe and dry, and helps improve your overall energy efficiency. As such, it’s vital that you always keep it in prime condition. Whether your roof calls for a simple repair or a complete replacement, it pays to hire an experienced roofer. For starters, experienced roofing contractors can be trusted for ensuring good quality. After all, experience is indicative of how prepared and equipped a roofer is when when faced with a situation. Some roofing contractors fail to stay in business for very long because of the increasing demands of homeowners for topnotch products and workmanship. If they have
7.
been in business for more than five years – the usual life span of 80% of roofing companies in the country – you can be sure they’ll know how to address your roof problem simply because they’ve been doing it for many years. To elaborate, here are some of the benefits of hiring a seasoned roofer: SPECIALIZATION – Experienced contractors won’t treat your roof job as a mere practice. Let’s say your system has been hit by a powerful storm recently, causing several complications. Although not necessarily intended, its setup as a “training ground” for amateur roofers might only worsen the structure of your roofing system. On the other hand, seasoned roofers will know exactly where and how to start. They wouldn’t be likely to commit any amateur mistakes, especially in repairing your system because they will have worked on similar projects over the years. CUSTOMER EXCELLENCE – Most experienced contractors, if not all, have excellent work ethics because they know and understand that customer satisfaction is their number one priority. It is not just about installing quality roofing; quality service matters as well.
8.
EFFICIENCY – Many homeowners also make the mistake of performing roofing jobs on their own as they think this would them save time and money. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always hold true. If you don’t have enough experience, your roof repair or replacement might not hold up for long, forcing you to eventually call in an expert to fix the problem for you. When you hire experienced contractors even before doing everything yourself, you can save not only money, but also your precious time as they can act on any problem with ease. SAFETY PRACTICES – Safety measures for both homeowners and their crew is also of high priority for experienced roofers. You’ll know they’re the real deal when they show genuine concern, not just for your property, but for their own team members as well.
Looking to invest in roof repairs or maybe in a complete roof replacement? It might seem daunting to find a reliable partner in your quest to improve your roof’s beauty and functionality, but by considering the right factors before hiring a roofer, you can definitely ensure your project’s success. Be sure to look for these three things when hiring a roofing company so you can make the most of your investment.
9.
CAMPOPIANO ROOFING 2100 Case Parkway North Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
(33O) 425-1285 www.camporoof.com