Q&A Guide: How to Choose the Best Roofer

We know, we know! So many roofers, such an important project. Specialized Contractors, LLC has put together this important list of questions that every homeowner and business owner should ask a potential roofing contractor before signing ANY documents or contract. This will guide you on how to choose the best roofer for you!

We want to help you ensure that you hire a reputable roofing contractor who is capable of getting the roof done right the first time around.

1. Question You Should Ask: Are you licensed?

Answer You Want to Hear: Yes, in most states

Why You Want to Hear It: Many states require a roofer be licensed in the state; however, all states are different. This means one code may be required in Boston while another may be required in Nashville. Make sure you research the code requirements in your area. If contractors, including roofers, are required to be licensed in your state, only work with those who are so you have some recourse in case things go wrong. Also, verify that the license is up to date.

2. Question You Should Ask: Do you have workman’s comp insurance?

Answer You Want to Hear: Yes

Why You Want to Hear It: At one time employers with three employees or less didn’t have to offer workman’s compensation insurance; now they do by law. Still, some roofing contractors will skip out on this requirement because insurance isn’t cheap, and some would rather take their chances. The problem with that is when the chance is taken on your property and an employee becomes injured. If you hire a company that doesn’t offer employees workman’s compensation and someone gets injured on your property, you might find yourself forking over thousands of dollars to pay for medical bills. This is a loss no homeowner wants to incur. To protect yourself, make sure the company you hire has insurance coverage for each worker that will be present on your property.

3. Question You Should Ask: Do you carry general liability insurance?

Answer You Want to Hear: Yes

Why You Want to Hear It: Workman’s compensation covers the employees on your property; general liability insurance covers your actual property. For example, if a contractor accidentally burns your house down in the process of welding something on your roof and the company doesn’t carry liability insurance, you could be responsible for covering the debts incurred by this tragic accident. Never just take their word for it either. Ask to see an insurance certificate. This certificate will list your name and address as an additional insured, so if something happens on the job, you –and all of your hard-earned property – are covered. If you still feel hesitant, call the insurance company and ask.

4. Question You Should Ask: Will you remove my old roof?

Answer You Want to Hear: Yes

Why You Want to Hear it: Some roofers will claim to save time and money by inspecting, with their eyes, the old roof, and then, if all looks well, shingling over it. But how will you know if you have soft or rotten wood underneath if the old shingles aren’t removed? If bad spots remain behind, you will have larger, costlier problems in the future. Don’t let a roofer place a new roof on your house until they have taken up the old roof.

5. Question You Should Ask: Are you going to install drip edge or edge metal when you install the new roof?

Answer You Want to Hear: Yes

Why You Want to Hear It: Drip edge or edge metal is a small piece of aluminum placed under the shingle where it comes off of the roof. This piece of metal extends past the roof and allows runoff to flow into the gutters, protecting the fascia and wood on your roof. If a drip edge or edge metal is not installed, it will eventually cause problems associated with water damage. Some roofers may skip over this process to save time so make sure you ask specifically if it is installed.

6. Question You Should Ask: Will you use ladder stabilizers or standoffs to protect my gutters when you install my roof?

Answer You Want to Hear: Yes

Why You Want to Hear It: You may not think about it as you contemplate your new roof, but the method the company uses to get onto the roof is almost as important as the type of roof you choose. Ladder stabilizers and/or standoffs should be used in every roofing job. Stabilizers keep the weight of the extension ladder, which can weigh a few hundred pounds, off of your gutters. Without some type of standoff or stabilizer, you might end up with a great roof but a torn up, broken apart guttering system around your house at the end of the job. If the company you’re considering for the roofing job answers no to this question, you need to ask what they will do to ensure your gutter system will remain intact and unharmed during the project; if they can’t answer this question, don’t trust them to complete your roof.

7. Question You Should Ask: Do you bring a container for the material that comes from the old roof?

Answer You Want to Hear: Yes

Why You Want to Hear It: Parts and pieces from the old roof, such as shingles and nails, will need to be placed somewhere as it comes down. The company you hire should bring a container to the job site to contain the refuse. You should not be required to supply this container, nor should you have to deal with the refuse once the job is completed.

8. Question You Should Ask: What will you do in the case of inclement weather during the job?

Question You Want to Hear: Cover the job project with tarps or plastic covers

Why You Want to Hear It: Let’s face it: the weather guy is not always right. This isn’t too bad when you’re stuck in the office all day, but when someone is removing and replacing your roof it can be a major problem. If the prettiest of days turns into a rainstorm, what will the roofing company do to protect the interior of your home? Make sure your roofer has a plan for this. Your roof should be covered in some type of plastic sheeting or tarpaulin to ensure it, and everything beneath it remains dry. Also, ask what the plan is if the rainy days extend for a while. Will the company come back to ensure the roof covering is keeping the home dry? If there is a storm with high winds, will someone be available to come out and secure the covering if it appears to not be holding?

9. Question You Should Ask: What is the warranty on my new roof?

Answer You Want to Hear: Minimum of 25 years

Why You Want to Hear It: Today’s dimensional style shingles cost the same price as the older style shingles and also last longer. Homeowners should get at least a 25-year warranty on both product types though.

10. Question You Should Ask: How will you protect my landscaping during this project?

Answer You Want to Hear: Specific details on what the company will do to ensure your landscaping does not take a beating. (Placement of equipment, traffic patterns to avoid trampling the bushes, etc)

Why You Want to Hear It: Too often, homeowners think about what’s going on top of the roof and forget about what surrounds the house. This includes the gutters, which we talked about earlier, but also the landscaping. If you spend hundreds – or thousands – of dollars planting trees, shrubs, and flowers, you don’t want to come home to a new roof but a torn up lawn. Before you hire a company, ask specifically what they will do to protect your landscaping. Where will the ladders go? Where will the old shingles and potentially rotten plywood be dropped or tossed so that it doesn’t affect the bushes and flowers that surround your house? If an accident does occur and an employee from the company tromps through your rose garden, what will the company do to fix the damage?

11. Question You Should Ask: Is there going to be someone on site with whom I can communicate?

Answer You Want to Hear: Yes

Why You Want to Hear It: While some companies will tell you during the sale that you’ll have someone on site managing the job, you might find when the crew shows up in the morning no one is sure who that project manager is. Find out before you leave for the day. If you still don’t know, call the company and ask. And if no one can answer, send the crew away until they can. A reputable roofing company will have someone on site throughout the project to answer questions and address concerns.

12. Question You Should Ask: Do you provide a written estimate?

Answer You Want to Hear: Yes

Why You Want to Hear It: Settling into a contract without a detailed estimate can cause problems in the long run. Before signing make sure you have a detailed estimate for the job. Include the cost of removing the old roof, adding the new roof, and anything that could come up in the process, such as rotten plywood that needs to be replaced.

PROTIP: Architectural shingles are more durable than 3-tab shingles, but they also cost more. Even if your insurance company only pays for 3-tab shingles, we still upgrade you to Architectural at no charge. Other roofers don't mind putting 3-tab shingles on your roof because that could earn them repeat business each time a shingle needed to be replaced. However, we want our customers to refer us business so we take care of you by giving you the long lasting shingles from the start!

Specialized Contractors, LLC is your premier residential and commercial roofing contractor, with over 150 years of combined experience in roof installation and replacement. Our professional and knowledgeable team provides the highest quality service in the following areas and more: Gallatin, Lebanon, Mount Juliet, Hermitage, Antioch, Donelson, Cookeville, Clarksville, Brentwood, Franklin, Smyrna, Nolensville, Watertown, Springfield, Hendersonville, Joelton, Portland, Murfreesboro, LaVergne, Madison, Old Hickory, and the list goes on! We offer free roofing analysis year round and as always, you’re never under any obligation.