Questions to Ask Before Your First Roof Replacement

So, your roof is now showing signs of damage and may likely need repair or replacement. If you’re a new homeowner and haven’t hired a roofer before, do not worry. Understandably, choosing a good roofer is a daunting task, especially if it’s for something as big as a roof replacement.

But as long as you do your research and do a quick interview with your list of roofers, you can narrow down your choices to the most suitable ones according to your needs. You can start by knowing what questions to ask before your first roof replacement.

Questions to Ask Before Your First Roof Replacement

While it may sound odd to interview your list of potential roofers, it’s actually useful. Not only will you know what to expect out of the services they’ll offer, but you’ll also get an idea of how they communicate, which can help you get the trust and assurance you need.

With that said, here are questions to ask before your first roof replacement:

Do you have a license?

This is supposed to be one of the first questions you must ask the roofer as it’s a valid proof of their expertise. Anyone can say they’re a roofer or building contractor but without a license, you know they are unqualified. 

The appropriate license is also required in many states before roofers can work on projects. That said, different states may have different requirements. Either way, it’s important to work with a licensed roofer as this can be your legal bind if anything goes wrong with the roof replacement. 

Speaking of a legal bind, it’s also important that the contractor you hire is bonded. This means the roofer performs their tasks correctly and ethically. If ever there is a problem during the roof replacement, you can go to the bond company to have it sorted out.

How long have you been in business?

This is another obvious question you must ask any business, really. When investing in a roof replacement, you must ask around and check how long the business has been operating in the area.

While you can choose newer roofing companies because of their cheaper prices, you may face the problem of hiring newbies who might not have known how to price their services adequately. There’s also a chance of them closing down in the foreseeable future, which can leave you without a roofer’s warranty from them.

If you want a higher chance of getting the job done right and the assurance that the company will last long to cover your warranty, then you’ll want an experienced roofer. Select a roofer that is well-established and with a strong history in your community.

Are you insured?

If a roofer isn’t insured while working on the roof replacement, you may end up dealing with a lot of trouble if they get injured. You won’t want the liability of footing hospital bills if your roofer gets injured. The insurance will protect both you and the roofer, so they must have one.

More specifically, all companies must be fully insured with general liability, company vehicle, and workman’s compensation policies. General liability insurance is also a must as this protects your home in case of damage during the roof replacement. If anything happens, the compensation lies on your roofer, not you.

It’s also important to ask for physical copies of licenses and insurance policies to double-check online. Taking extra measures to ensure a business can operate legally will pay off in the long run.

Is there a warranty?

If the roofer does offer a warranty, which they most likely do, ask for how long it lasts. It can last anywhere between one year to a lifetime It’s crucial to ask for a roofer’s warranty as this protects your roof investment.

A roofer will usually provide warranties for the roofing materials and workmanship. Make sure that you ask about the type of warranty offered in terms of their workmanship. Ask for copies of the warranty to read the fine print and know what it will cover.

Will you hire subcontractors?

Roof replacement is usually a complex project that requires more than just one person. Some roofers may hire subcontractors to quicken the project while still retaining quality.

If this is the case, you must be wary about subcontracting and get assurance from the roofer for their reputation and who will pay for them.

What is the assurance the job will be completed when there’s inclement weather?

We can’t control the weather, and in Arizona, you never know what to expect! Whether it’s monsoon season or the height of summer, the temperatures alone can hamper a day of work.

When the roof replacement process begins and inclement weather suddenly comes, the operations must obviously stop until the weather improves. But what will happen during that time? You must ask the roofer about the steps they take if inclement weather arrives and what happens afterward.

Will there be a project manager I can direct my questions to?

Usually, roofers will have a project manager or roofing foreman overseeing the roof replacement. If you’re out of the house most of the time, you’ll want to have a reliable person to communicate with if you have any questions or want updates quickly. 

This is why the roofer must have a trusted project manager overseeing the project, and one who is readily available and easy to communicate with.

Wrapping It Up

Understandably, finding a roofer is a time-consuming process. But as mentioned, it will be worth all the effort you put in as you’ll have more assurance of getting the job done right. This is crucial, especially for huge projects like roof replacements. 

We hope that these questions to ask before your first roof replacement helped you out. Now that you know more about selecting a roofer, the next step is conducting those mini-interviews! If you still haven’t found the right roofer yet, contact us now at Stradling Roofing to get a free inspection and estimate.