Welcome back to our series on key questions to ask a potential roofer.
In Part 1, we took a look at questions that focused on topics like estimates, roof inspections, and credentials. In Part 2, we have ten more questions for you to ask a potential roofer to see if they’re the right fit for your roofing project.
We’ve also created this downloadable PDF that includes all 20 questions so you have them handy when meeting with a roofing contractor.
That said, let’s dive into questions 11 through 20 …
11. DO YOU HAVE RECENT REFERENCES?
References are an important part of the process when choosing a roofing contractor, so make sure you ask for at least three. Experienced roofers understand that you’re just doing your due-diligence when asking for references, meaning they should not get defensive or evasive to the request.
Just remember, if a roofer has happy clients, they’ll be happy to provide references. Make sure the references you receive are recent, local, and be sure to contact them to see what they have to say!
12. CAN YOU SHARE PHOTOS OF COMPLETED PROJECTS?
Reviewing at least a handful of before-and-after photos can be helpful. Whether it’s viewing them on the roofer’s social media pages, their website, YouTube, or just having them email some photos to you, make sure you ask to see their work before committing to hiring a roofing company.
In the event that the roofer doesn’t have imagery readily available, ask them for a handful of nearby projects they’ve recently completed so you can take a look.
13. DO THEY HAVE A GOOD GOOGLE BUSINESS REVIEW RATING & ARE THEY RATED WITH THE BBB?
This one isn’t really a question, as you can check out both of these on your own. Keep in mind that 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.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is also a good source for reviews, and an overall rating of A+ is the very best score a company can get on the BBB.
14. WHAT’S THEIR ADDRESS?
This is another question you can answer on your own. It’s important that a roofer who claims to be a local business actually has a local permanent address. Their Google Business Listing is a good indicator of their business address.
The reason we bring this up is that storm chasers and national brands will often portray themselves as “local,” just to win your business (they may have a P.O. Box with a local address, which is not the same as a business address). If something looks off about a roofer’s address or how local they actually are, move on. The last thing you need is to hire someone for a roof replacement, and then they disappear after the job is done leaving you with no support if there are problems with the roof.
15. WHAT’S THE PROJECT START DATE?
It’s important to understand when a contractor can realistically begin working on your roof replacement. Sometimes, really good contractors may need to book out, or the particular type of roofing you’d like, in the color you want, may not be in stock right away from the manufacturer.
In addition, things can occur that delay the start of a project. For instance, bad weather, materials delayed from the manufacturer, or if the homeowner makes changes or revisions to the project.
Regardless, get a start date.
16. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
Along with a start date, make sure you get a realistic estimate of how long the timeline will be to completion. If you speak with a few contractors, which we recommend, and one of them gives you a timeline considerably shorter than the other roofers you’ve spoken with — they may be overpromising or overcommitting.
As we mentioned, things like roofing material availability and the weather can affect the timeline. A roofer with solid communication skills can go a long way in keeping you informed in a timely manner so you know what’s going on.
17. CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT ANY PERMITS WE MAY NEED FOR THE PROJECT?
The answer to this question, which an experienced local roofer will be well-versed in, will depend on local building codes. Typically, a permit is required for a roof replacement in Dane County, although it can differ from city to city.
Permits need to be in-hand before any work begins to avoid any fines. In addition, your roofer should be responsible for fully handling attaining the permit(s), working with inspectors, and be up-to-date with local codes. This is just another reason to make sure you are working with a local company, who is much more likely to understand the requirements in your region.
18. WHAT ARE THE PAYMENT TERMS & WHAT TYPES OF FINANCING DO YOU OFFER?
Payment Terms: Make sure they are clear, acceptable, and in writing. Understanding how much of a deposit is required up front (if any), and how long you have to pay in full after the work is done, are to be spelled out. And if a roofer asks you to pay in full for the roof in advance? Find another roofer.
Financing: Who doesn’t like a good financing deal? Even if you have the savings to pay-in-full for a new roof, a great deal like our 0% financing for 24 months makes it possible to pay off your new roof over time without accruing any interest — so you can keep more funds at your disposal in the bank instead of shelling it all out at once. And for homeowners who don’t have enough saved, it can mean the difference between a beautiful new roof now or having to wait, possibly years, for a roof replacement.
If a roofer is able to offer financing deals, it indicates that they are financially stable, as lenders usually require roofing companies to be vetted through a thorough application process before being approved to offer financing.
A Final Note on Payments …
Be sure to pay your roofing contractor in a traceable method like a credit card for added protection from your bank. Contractors that only accept cash payments are a huge red flag, so avoid them.
19. CAN YOU PLEASE TAKE US THROUGH THE INSTALLATION PROCESS?
Feel free to pick and choose from the following bulleted list of items to ask your potential roofer about. Pay close attention to make sure their answers are satisfactory …
- Tell me about the process for a re-roofing job
- What will the weather be like when you install the roofing system?
- How will you handle my skylights?
- What type of valley installation will you use?
- How far do the shingles extend over the drip edge?
- Tell me about how you cap ridge vents?
- How many nails do you use, per shingle, for the type of shingles I’m interested in?
- What type of flashing do you recommend?
- How do you seal off the pipe boot?
20. CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE CLEANUP PROCESS & WHAT IT INCLUDES?
Replacing a roof is a process that needs a meticulous clean up plan. From understanding whether or not the current roofing is recyclable or needs to go to the dump, to making sure a homeowner’s property and home are both kept protected and clean, a potential roofer should have a crystal-clear process for keeping everything tidy and safe.
Debris like old shingles, nails and packaging needs to be disposed of in a certain way, and understanding a potential roofer’s process will set the standard of what you can expect during the job. Cleanup should be fully included in the roof replacement project, so make sure it’s not an add-on expense.
GET IN TOUCH
If you have questions about roofing, or would like a complimentary roof inspection — with no strings attached — feel free to contact Legacy Exteriors any time. We’re always happy to help, even during the winter months!