Top 5 Factors to Consider When Picking a Residential Roofer

Are you in the market for a new roof, but you don’t know where to start?

There are so many options out there! It can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, we have your back with this quick guide on what to look for when picking a residential roofer.

We all want our roofs to last as long as possible, and that means making sure you choose the right contractor from the get-go.

With that said, here are five factors to consider before hiring someone for your next project.

1. Licensing, Certification, and Insurance

While it may seem like common sense, before hiring anyone check that they are an insured residential roofer and have the necessary licensing and insurance requirements for your state or county, such as worker’s compensation and liability insurance. You can also confirm their certification with organizations such as the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA).

While some states do not require certification for residential roofers, NRCA is widely recognized in both the public and private sectors of construction industries across North America.

2. Experience and Customer Reviews

Roof repair experience goes hand in hand with licensing and certification, but it is important to know how much experience the roofer has. Many states allow for an apprentice to work under a certified, experienced contractor before becoming certified themselves.

Look for residential roofers with several years of experience and ask about their past projects, as well as if they offer referrals or can provide you with customer reviews. Reading online reviews should be the first thing you do when comparing roofer costs.

3. State License Numbers

After finding out if your roofer is properly licensed and insured, it’s worth checking that they are registered in your state. Although not required in all states, it is still beneficial because then you can easily verify that license by entering it into your state’s website.

This becomes especially useful when hiring someone who works across different state lines frequently or hires sub-contract from other states to help them complete the job.

4. Insurance Bids or Certificates

Roofers may ask for money upfront to purchase the materials, but it’s best to wait until your roofer has all the necessary materials and is ready to start work. However, you should always ask for insurance certificates before giving payment in full since most do not require money upfront.

While you are at it, double-check that they have enough insurance coverage by asking if their policy includes an employer’s liability section, as this is typically required with commercial jobs.

5. Details on Pricing & Payment Plans

Finally, when looking at residential roofer options, be sure to go over any details of their pricing and find out how they plan on getting paid. Prices may range between $25 per square foot or more and you want to be sure that your roofer is transparent about pricing, as well as if there are additional charges such as scaffolding or dump fees.

You should also ask if they will take partial payments and what the requirements for those would be.

Need More Help Picking a Residential Roofer?

When picking a residential roofer, it is important to consider the factors listed above. Make sure you are getting a quality company that will provide high-quality service and installation for your home. This blog post should have given you some food for thought as well as information on how to find such a business!

For more help with this, please check out our blog for step-by-step blog posts!