5 Pitfalls to Avoid When Hiring a Roofer

Hopefully, hiring a roofer is something you don’t have to do very often. It can be a nerve-wracking expensive process that most people don’t look forward to doing. Thankfully though, modern techniques and materials are designed to last a long time. But that shouldn’t mean that you are lax about hiring a roofer.

Hiring a roofer that works for an experienced, quality roofing company ensures that your investment lasts as long as possible, that the process goes smoothly, and that your hard-earned cash is well spent.

Avoid the following mistakes that are commonly made by homeowners.

1. Not Vetting a Company

Before hiring a roofer you need to verify that they are operating legally. Contractors in most states are required to obtain professional licenses that attest to their skills and qualifications. They’ll also be required to obtain a business license, and carry insurance.

All these things can be checked online. The company’s website usually notes having these items but be sure to double-check your local government database.

Also check their reputation through Google and social media such as Facebook. Sites such as Yelp are a great source of legitimate customer reviews. Make sure to thoroughly read the reviews that you find; it’s not uncommon for angry customers to leave low ratings without explaining why. Understanding why a contractor received low ratings helps you determine if it’s a characteristic you are okay with.

 

2. Failing to Get a Written Estimate or Quote

Contrary to popular usage estimate and quote aren’t exactly the same thing. Though you should get either of them in writing before the job begins.

Estimates are a preliminary figure that tries to be accurate but the final price may fluctuate upon completion of the project. Quotes are also a preliminary price but they’re intended to be finite and cannot change upon completion of the project.

Both documents should stipulate exactly what labor and materials will be used for the work. It should also indicate for how long the document is valid. Getting this information in writing makes it easier to compare the services of multiple contractors, but, more importantly, it ensures that neither you nor the contractor make last minute changes that would change the cost.

 

3. Only Getting One Estimate

When you’re in the market to have a large repair done it’s a good idea to get more than one estimate. Having more than one contractor look at your roof often gives you multiple ways of approaching the problem; each contractor may have a slightly different idea of what needs to happen.

Generally though, you should find that estimates fall within a certain range. Obvious outliers that are significantly higher or lower than the average should be a red flag.

You don’t need a lot of estimates to make an educated decision,usually three or four is plenty. You can get away with fewer estimates, though, if you have a good idea ahead of time about what to expect. Talking to your neighbors or friends is a good way to get a idea what service and price to expect.

 

4. Hiring a Roofer Solely Based on Price

Price is one the biggest factors that homeowners must consider when looking to have roofing done, and it’s tempting to use price as the reason for choosing a particular contractor. But going with the cheapest quote isn’t necessarily the best choice you could make, especially if the quote is significantly lower than others you’ve received.

Some contractors will use an unrealistically low quote in order to get homeowners to agree to the work but then request changes once the job is started. Unscrupulous roofers will claim to have encountered unforeseen circumstances on the jobsite then pressure you to approve additional work.

In other instances a very low quote is indicative of the contractor cutting corners. They may use inferior materials, rush to get the job done, or not have proper licensing.

Sometimes, unlicensed contractors take advantage of homeowners by offering a low quote, accepting a deposit on that work, then either not showing up or stopping in the middle of the work.

And remember, there are other attributes, besides price, that are important. You want a contractor who is respectful, knowledgeable, and uses the most current industry standards. Most importantly you want to be hiring a roofing who communicates well, in terms you can understand, and who quickly returns phone calls, texts, or emails. Hiring a roofer that is skilled may cost more upfront but will save you headaches and repair costs.

 

5. Trying to Do it Yourself Instead of Hiring a Roofer

Roofing is a trade requiring specialized skills, materials, and tools. Additionally, it poses several safety risks. Because of that, roofing should only be completed by trained professionals. There are many reasons it’s a bad idea to attempt this work on your own.

Lots of people think that the project will be less expensive by doing it on their own, but that’s not really the case. On its surface labor may seem cheaper because you’re not paying someone else, but there are other factors and expenses to consider.

Roofing requires machinery and tools that most homeowners don’t have on-hand. Renting them is an option, of course, but that’s an added expense and you don’t know how well that equipment has been maintained.

Unless you’re familiar with roofing, doing the job yourself will likely take longer than having a professional do it. You’ll need extra time to research and practice, plus you’ll be slower overall when performing the work.

Safety is also a concern. Accidents and injuries are common for people not accustomed to working on high, slanted surfaces. That coupled with having to move heavy equipment and materials using a ladder, is a recipe for disaster. Professionals are insured so they’re covered if an employee in injured, but you’d be stuck with hefty medical bills… and an unfinished roof.

 

Conclusion

Roof repair is a large project that requires extensive planning. Hiring a roofing that is skilled is instrumental to having the work completed well, on-time, and within budget. Avoiding the common pitfalls we discussed will saves you lots of frustration and cash in the long run.