Choosing contractors to work on your home can be overwhelming. There are so many companies out there and it can be hard to determine who really has experience in the industry, and who is just trying to make some quick money. When it comes to roofing, this is such an important part of your home that it’s very important to make sure the company you choose really has the experience they say they do. Here’s what you need to know about choose the right roofing contractor for you and your home.
 
Ask Around
It’s often said that word of mouth is the best marketing for any company, and there’s a reason for this. If you have friends who have recently had work done on their roof then talk to them. Use the experience of people you know to get a real feel for how companies complete work and what it was like to deal with them. When you’re talking to contractors they can say almost anything they need to in order to secure the project, but how they actually act when completing the job may be a completely different story. Real experience will be the best for recommendations.
 
Shop Around
If there happens to be a couple companies who get glowing reviews from people you know then ask them to come out and give you a quote on your roof. You’ll want to make sure that their quotes are not an obligation that you’ll hire them, and then compare what they have to offer. Make sure you make them aware of anything special or specific you want them to look at and include in the job, and don’t assume that they will catch it.
 
Ask about Insurance
Any real contractor will have the proper insurance and be up to date with appropriate trades colleges or unions. Don’t be afraid to ask for insurance, and to see proof of it. If this company is going to be doing work on your home it is very much your right to know that they are a legitimate company. Most companies understand this and will be able to show you the proof you’re looking for without issue. If they make a big deal out of it this is a bit of a red flag and you should strongly consider walking away.
 
Get it in Writing
For the companies you ask to come out to your home they should provide you with a quote in writing. If a company isn’t willing to commit on paper to a price for your project then you should be a little hesitant. If you don’t have something in writing then the company could come back and start charging you more for incidentals that come up. In addition, once you get the quote in writing double check with the company what that cost does and doesn’t cover so you know if you need to budget for extras.
 
Choosing any contractor for your home can seem overwhelming and scary because you never know if you’re making the right choice until you’re in the middle of a project. A bad contractor can cost you a lot of extra headache not to mention extra money in the long run. If you take the time to do some research upfront to make the right decision with a good contractor then you can have some peace of mind when the work starts. 

​Up Next – Roof Vent Issues
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