Replacing the roof is one of those things that you do maybe once or twice in your lifetime. You will know the problem is with roofing contractor when you have to have to call them regularly. That is why it is important that you’re getting the best roofing contractors from the beginning so that there are no problems down the line. The first instinct will be to look for a roofing contractor online. This will be another challenge that you have to overcome. There are hundreds of contractors at any given time. You need to learn how to separate the grain from the chaff and that is where this guide comes in handy.
Local
When you search for a roofing contractor, Google is likely to give you the results of the local contractor in your geographical location. The Map results will have the direction to the business, opening hours, and services that they offer. This is usually a good sign that you’re dealing with a legitimate company. You should, however, be cautious because there are people who will create a fake address and business details just to collect leads. Make sure that you can confirm the physical address of the business before you can engage further about your roofing needs. If you’re searching for roofing contractors in Atlanta Georgia, the business should have a physical presence in the area.
Reviews
Another way you can gauge the legitimacy of a company is by looking at the reviews. The first place you can learn about them is on their website. Most businesses will ensure that they have a robust online presence. You can look at the customers’ testimonials. A legitimate business will only be using real customer testimonials as they risk being exposed. The reviews on the website should be taken with a grain of salt. Although it will be easy to fake reviews, it will be impossible to hide a negative review. That is why you should check sites like Better Business Bureau if you want to get an honest view of the business.
Communication
Your first point of contact with the company will be through email or phone call. You should pay attention to communication. A reliable company will ensure that they’re getting back to you in the shortest time possible. You can also decide to give them a call and explain your predicament. A good roofing company will not try to sell to you when you first reach out. Instead, they will be keen to listen to your problem. They should also be able to provide an estimate so that you can know what to expect in terms of cost.
If you have to wait for more than two days to hear from the company, then you better move on to another company as that will set the tone of the whole working relationship.
Having covered what you should be looking for in a contractor online, the next step will be to look at the traits to expect in the roofing contractor:
Experience
You don’t want to be working with someone who is just starting out. Ideally, the contractor should have more than 5 years of experience. This is because most roofing problems will start because of poor installation. Ask for references if you’re not sure about the experience of the contractor. A contractor that has nothing to hide will be more than happy to share the references. You can reach out to the references who have similar houses and ask them about their experience working with the roofing company.
License
You should never work with a roofing contractor that is not licensed. There are those that will tell you that a roofing contractor doesn’t need a license which is not true. Most states require a roofing contractor to be licensed. A roofing contractor will know the code and regulations to be followed. You can be assured of the highest level of professionalism when the contractor is working on your roof.
Insurance
It is also important that you’re working with a company that bonded and insured. The company should have both worker’s compensation and liability insurance. The nature of roofing jobs means that injuries could happen and you don’t want to be liable in case they happen. Liability insurance will also protect you from property damage.
Looking for a roofing contractor online requires for one to be vigilant. You don’t want to end up in the hands of a con as you could thousands of dollars.