The average person moves more than 11 times in their lives. Every time you move, you have to find a new network of repair experts and contractors to keep your home in good shape.

For most homeowners, finding a roofing contractor to help them maintain their roof is one of the hardest parts of moving to a new town. So, how do you know whether you can trust a contractor?

Here’s what you need to look for when searching for a new roofer to work with.

Local Business Addresses

Scams are a major problem in the roofing industry. Some contractors follow storms and often offer their services to homeowners when they notice roofs in disrepair.

While some of these traveling contractors do good work, the vast majority don’t. Their repairs often cause more extensive problems that put the interior of your home at risk.

And once the contractors move on, you have no way of getting in touch with them to fix the damage.

That’s why you always need to look for a contractor with a local business address. This way, you’ll know where to go and how to get a hold of them if the repairs don’t work.

Valid License and Insurance

Reputable roofing contractors are fully licensed to work on roofs in your area. They should always be willing to provide proof of their license if you ask.

They should also have several types of insurance policies in place to protect you from liability. As a homeowner, you’re responsible for anything that happens on your property. If a contractor gets injured or they damage your home in the course of repairs, you could have to pay for the damage yourself.

With a general liability policy and workers’ compensation coverage in place, you won’t have to worry about that risk.

If something gets damaged, their insurance policy will cover the cost of repairs. And if one of their employees gets injured, the workers’ compensation insurance will pay for their medical treatment.

Experience Working on Your Type of Roof

Different roofing materials require different types of maintenance and some contractors may not be familiar with the type of roof you have. Before you hire a contractor, make sure they’ve worked with your type of roof in the past.

If they have, they’ll know how to best care for it. If they haven’t, you’ll want to keep looking. An inexperienced roofer can do a lot of damage to the materials and the supporting structure if they’re not careful.

Don’t be afraid to ask for examples of roofs they’ve installed or worked on. This will give you an idea of what you can expect from their services.

Positive Customer References and Reviews

A roofing contractor you can trust will always have previous customers willing to speak about their experience. You just have to ask for those references.

Once the contractor gives you their contact information, follow up on those references. Ask if the homeowners are still happy with their roofing work and if they would hire the contractor again.

If the answer is “yes,” you’ll likely be happy with their services. But if the answer is “no,” or several references express similar concerns, pay attention. Repeat issues and concerns are a red flag and you’ll want to keep searching for a different contractor.

After contacting their references, it’s also helpful to check their online reviews. Look at sites like the Better Business Bureau to see what the company’s reputation is like.

Free Written Estimates

Every roofing contractor should inspect your roof and assess it for wear and tear before they ever start working on it. But the best contractors will give you written estimates without charging you for their time.

They want you to make a decision that works for your needs and your budget. To do that, you’ll need to be able to compare their services and prices with those of other contractors.

A written estimate will make it easy to compare the types of work and prices each company provides. While you can base your decision solely on price, it’s best to look at each estimate as a whole.

Go with the contractor that you feel offers the best value for the money. It’s always worth paying a little more for a contractor that will do the best job possible.

Guarantees on Work

All roofing materials come with manufacturer warranties that help protect you in the event of a defect. However, that warranty won’t extend to cover roof damage caused by faulty installation or general wear and tear.

Trustworthy contractors stand behind the work they do on your property. They’ll offer warranties or guarantees on their work. If anything fails or you’re not happy with their services, they’ll do what they can to make it right.

These guarantees are in addition to the manufacturer’s warranty and shouldn’t cost you anything.

Employees Who Will Work on Your Roof

Before you agree to work with a contractor, make sure you know who will be working on your roof. Ideally, they’ll have a team of qualified employees that they work with every day.

The contractor will oversee the work they do to ensure it’s up to their quality standards every time. If they do hire a third-party team, ask for their qualifications and find out how long they’ve worked with them.

Finding the Right Roofing Contractor Is a Must

The right roofing contractor will help you keep your home and your roof in good condition. These tips should help you narrow down the search and find a contractor you can trust.

But if you’re looking for the best and want to simplify the search, contact us today. Our experienced team will do everything they can to get your roof in good shape as quickly as possible. We stand behind our work and are always just a phone call away. Call 443-214-2533 or email us today to learn more!

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