Have your shingles started to buckle? Perhaps your roof has sprung a leak. Consider replacing your roof right away.
Otherwise, mold and mildew might start to grow, which can impact your family’s respiratory health. Before that can happen, hire the best residential roofing contractor in Effingham, IL.
Not sure who to hire? There are now over 108,000 roofing contractors in the US. It helps to know what questions to ask as you vet your options.
Here are 10 questions you can ask during your search. With these tips, you can simplify the process of hiring a roofer. You can feel confident knowing an experienced, qualified professional is on the job.
Start your search for the best roofing contractor in Effingham with these tips today.
1. How Long Have You Operated?
First, ask each residential roofing contractor on your list how long they’ve worked in the industry. Determine how long they’ve owned and operated their own business, too. Try to find a roofing company with years of experience helping Effingham, IL homeowners.
Finding a long-established business can help you feel more confident in your choice. An established business has likely worked out kinks in their operations. These teams know how to work efficiently as well.
Otherwise, hiring an inexperienced team could come back to haunt you.
Inexperienced teams are more likely to make costly mistakes. They might cut corners to reduce costs, too.
Some businesses even chase storms to help homeowners after tornadoes or hurricanes hit the area. If you hire one of these teams, they might leave town after fixing your roof. If you still experience issues, you could struggle to call them back.
Instead, check each company’s Better Business Bureau listing to determine how long they’ve operated in the area.
As you search for a roofing contractor, consider talking to friends and family members in Effingham. Ask if they’ve recently hired a roofing company. If they have, take the time to learn more about their first-hand experience with their contractor.
Learning from their firsthand account could help you determine which companies to trust or avoid.
2. Are You Licensed?
Once you find a roofing contractor with years of experience, look into their credentials. Make sure their paperwork is in order and up-to-date. First, ask the company for proof they’re licensed.
Before they start working on your property, make sure their license covers both residential and commercial properties. If the paperwork is outdated, scratch them off your list. They should have a license to operate in the state.
Make sure the company is up-to-date with building codes and requirements, too. These codes can vary based on the state you live in.
3. Are You Insured?
Make sure the company is also insured. Ask if they have both worker’s compensation and general liability insurance.
General liability insurance will protect your interests if a worker accidentally damages your property. Worker’s compensation will protect your interests if a worker is hurt on the job. You won’t have to worry that the employee will hold you responsible for your injuries.
Finding a roofing contractor with both forms of insurance will give you peace of mind.
Make sure to ask for proof of their insurance before they begin working on your property.
4. Do You Use Subcontractors or Employees?
You can also ask each residential roofing contractor on your list about their teams. Determine if they hire subcontractors or employees. If they hire employees, determine how long each person has worked in the industry.
Remember, you’ll want an experienced team working on your roof. Otherwise, there’s a chance they could do more harm than good.
If the company hires subcontractors, make sure each subcontractor is insured before they start working.
5. How Do You Prioritize Safety?
Ask each team how they intend to work on your roof safely. For example, you can ask if the team intends to use ladder stabilizers. Ask if they intend on protecting your gutters before replacing your roof, too.
If the team doesn’t have safety protocols in place, consider hiring a different roofing contractor. Otherwise, neglecting safety could lead to an accident or costly repairs.
6. Will You Remove My Old Roof?
Ask each residential roofing contractor about their work process. They should start by pinpointing the root cause of your roofing problems. Otherwise, they might only “patch” the problem, leading to issues in the future.
Instead, they should look for soft spots or rotten shingles. If there’s a leak, they should pinpoint the source.
Determine if the company will remove your existing roof before adding a new one. If they add new shingles over existing ones, it can add weight to the roof. Your roof could collapse as a result.
Learning more about the company’s process can help you determine if they’re qualified to work on your roof.
7. Do You Offer a Warranty?
Ask each company if they offer a warranty. Determine how long their warranty will last, too. Then, ask what the warranty covers.
Before hiring a contractor, read reviews. The majority of reviews mention unsatisfactory work. Reading reviews can help you make a more informed choice.
Make sure to get a written copy of the warranty as well.
8. Can I Get an Estimate in Writing?
Consider asking three different companies for an estimate. Gathering more than one estimate can help you gauge the local average for a new roof.
9. How Will You Protect My Property?
The equipment needed for replacing your roof could cause damages to your property. Make sure the company will protect your home before they get started.
10. Are You Available to Start Right Away?
Ask each company about their availability, too. If they’re overbooked, you might have to wait longer than anticipated. The longer you wait, the more likely small roofing issues will lead to major problems.
Even a small leak could cause serious water damage.
Instead, make sure the contractor you choose is available to start right away.
Hire the Best: 10 Questions to Ask a Residential Roofing Contractor
Finding the best residential roofing contractor in Effingham, IL shouldn’t feel stressful. Instead, ask these questions to find the best team in town. After asking these questions, you can feel confident in your final choice.
An experienced team can then start replacing your roof in no time.
Need help from the best team in town?
Claim your free roofing inspection today!