Are you going to have work done on your roof? Or, are you having a new roof installed? If it's your first time in either scenario, you're going to want to be prepared. When searching for a roofer, there are certain questions that you should ask to ensure you're hiring the right one. Otherwise, you run the risk of paying a lot of money for potentially shoddy work. When you get in contact with a local roofing contractor, ask them these questions.

How Long Have You Been in Business?

You want to get a really experienced contractor who has worked on a lot of roofing over their career and has seen all kinds of houses. That way, they will know what to look for and can adjust to any kind of situation that arises. That probably won't be the case if the person is inexperienced and doesn't know what to do in unusual circumstances. The experienced one may cost a bit more but you're paying for their years of work. If you go cheap, then you could wind up paying more in the long run.

What Roofing Material Do You Recommend?

According to Bob Vila, asphalt shingles are used in roughly 70% of domestic roofing installations. However, you might benefit most from a different roofing material. When you're talking with the contractor, see what they say. They might try to steer you to the most expensive option. They are trying to make money, after all. You want one who will use the best material for the situation for the best price. A little research on roofing materials ahead of time will help you here.

Who's Going to Work on My Roof?

When you hire a local roofing contractor, you probably think that they are the ones to do the work. That's usually the case but some subcontract to others, especially if they have too many jobs at once. This can be a problem since you don't know how good these subcontractors are or if they are licensed and insured - more on that in the next questions. Generally, you want the contractor to use their own team to get the job done with all the proper paperwork

Are You Licensed and Insured?

This is a very important question for both you and the contractor. If they aren't licensed and insured, and something goes wrong, it could be a big mess with a lot of medical bills. Reputable roofing companies and their contractors are upfront about having the necessary qualifications to do the job. If they refuse to answer this question, you should look elsewhere.

Is Your Crew Trained?

Just like the licensing and bonding, you want to hire people who have gone through the proper training. That way, it ensures that you have the best chance of having good work performed on your roof. See if they are trained by the manufacturer of the roof. This will indicate that they know what they are doing.

How Long Will This Take?

You want to hire a contractor that is realistic. They will likely factor in certain things like potential bad weather and other delays. The best scenario is to have them underpromise and overdeliver. With a working timetable and expected project length duration, you know exactly what you're signing up for.

How Will You Make Everything Safe for My Family and Your Workers?

While roofing can be a dangerous job, as there's always that fight against gravity, a reputable company can do a lot of things to ensure the safety of your family and the workers. They will make sure to secure tools and warn you if you need to stay inside or away from the site for a bit. Our experts agree as we follow OSHA safety guidelines for every job. While working on your roof, our team will be harnessed with an OSHA-approved harness and rope.

This may seem like a lot to consider — and it is. Any roofing project is a huge investment. Professional contractors won't be insulted when you ask these questions. They know that this is a business and that you're looking out for yourself. Once you're satisfied with the answers, you can move ahead with the project and wait for your roof work to be completed.

Are you looking for a local roofing contractor in your area? Here at R&R Roofing LLC, our team has over 30 years of experience serving our community with their roofing needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and estimate!