Welcome back to our series on the red flags to look out for when choosing a roofer. In Part 1 of the series, we covered the first five red flags, including the door-to-door salesperson, low bids, and the pressure sale.
In Part 2, we’re sharing five more red flags you’ll want to be aware of when considering a roofer.
Before we begin, we’d like to point out that one of the most effective ways to identify red flags is to ask a lot of questions. In case you missed it, here are the links to our series on Key Questions to Ask a Potential Roofer, Part 1 and Part 2, which includes a total of twenty questions to help you more easily identify red flags. We also created a downloadable PDF of all twenty questions for easy reference.
That said, let’s jump into the next five red flags to watch out for when choosing a roofer …
1. THEY ARE UNINSURED
A general rule when working with any contractor is to make sure they are fully-insured.
An insured contractor is a must-have when it comes to roof replacement. Why? Because it protects both you and the roofer in case an accident occurs on your property. So be sure to ask your potential roofing contractor about their insurance — and don’t shy away from asking for actual proof. Roofers with legitimate insurance will not have a problem showing you documentation.
On that note, make sure that the contractor you choose to work with has at least general liability, as well as worker’s compensation insurance.
2. THEY FAIL TO PROVIDE REFERENCES
References are a tried-and-true way for homeowners to vet roofing companies, so if you find that a potential roofer does not deliver references when you have requested them, this is a red flag.
As long as a roofing company has been around for a while, they should be able to easily provide references — and willing to do so because they have nothing to hide.
We recommend asking for at least three references. Make sure they are recent, local — and be sure to contact them, ask them what work was performed, and what their experience was.
3. THEY HAVE NO REVIEWS, OR NEGATIVE REVIEWS
When it comes to reviews, we recommend looking to a company’s Google Business listing to see what customers have to say about them. To do so, simply type in the company name in your search engine and the Google Business listing, which includes a star rating, should show up at the top of the page.
For reference, a Google rating of 4/5 stars for a construction company is very good, and a rating of 4.5/5 stars or better is stellar.
Another reputable source to check for reviews and ratings is the Better Business Bureau (BBB). An overall rating with the BBB of A+ is the very best score a company can get.
4. THEY DON’T DISCUSS OR ATTAIN PERMITS
Typically, in the Dane County area, a permit is required for a roof replacement.
Permits should be acquired BEFORE work begins to avoid any fines. A reputable roofer will take full responsibility for getting the necessary permit(s), as well as working with inspectors, and being up-to-date with local codes.
That all said, if a potential roofer does not discuss permits with you, or asks you to look into or acquire them yourself, that’s a red flag.
5. THEIR ESTIMATE IS UNCLEAR, LACKS DETAIL OR IS JUST VERBAL
The first rule of thumb when having any kind of work done on your home is: get everything in writing.
Estimates should always contain a detailed, accurate description of the work being done, and this includes the products and supplies being used. Your estimate needs to deliver an accurate price for the project, plus a clear understanding of exactly what you’re getting.
Additionally, your estimate should be clear about whether any of the work is being subcontracted (which does happen, you just need to be aware of it upfront). Timeline, a cost breakdown, and warranty information should also be included.
If a contractor fails to deliver this type of estimate — for any reason — be very wary. Essentially, any information pertaining to the project needs to be in the estimate, and agreed upon, before work begins. Signing on for a job, only to find that incomplete sections of an estimate are completed AFTER you’ve signed — which can mean an increased price — is a bad situation to be in … so avoid it.
GET IN TOUCH
If you have questions about roofing, or would like a complimentary roof inspection — with no strings attached — feel free to get in touch with us anytime. We’re always happy to help!