You can never be too careful when it comes to hiring roofing contractors, given that even the tiniest of mistakes can do significant damage to your home. But finding the right contractor can take a lot of time. That’s why Exterior Building Solutions made this quick guide to help you find and hire qualified contractors.
Build a List
It’s recommended that you gather at least 10 names. You can ask for recommendations from your friends or local hardware stores, and scour the internet to build up the list.
Vet All of the Candidates
You need to ensure a candidate has these:
- Website – Companies that don’t have a website most likely don’t have insurance, a license or warranties.
- Good Online Reviews – It’d be ideal to hire a contractor that has a sizable number of positive reviews, although you should also take negative reviews with a grain of salt. Try to find out if the issue was really because of the company or external circumstances. Tip: If you’re having a hard time finding reviews, type the contractor’s phone number in the search bar.
- Accreditations – Just like with negative online reviews, you need to take claims regarding certifications with a grain of salt. Verify if a contractor is really certified.
Tell Them the Specifics of the Project
Send them an email detailing the kind of work they’ll be doing. Make sure you include the following:
- The Scope of the Roofing Job – Will contractors have to remove the entire roof or only repair parts of it? Specify if they’ll be doing simple residential roofing work or commercial roof installation.
- Extra Tasks – Do you need other work done? Do you need work done on your gutters as well?
- Materials to Be Used – Inform them of the materials that will be used so the contractors can take these into account during the preparation of their quote.
Assess Their Quotes
After receiving your message, a contractor will either send a quote, request for a home inspection or do both. Once you get the quotes, compare them with other contractors’ quotes to find out which one can give you the biggest bang for your buck.
Interview the Shortlisted Candidates
Send them an email detailing the kind of work they’ll be doing. Make sure you include the following:
- Business permits, licenses and other relevant credentials
- References and a portfolio of their previous work if possible
- Workers’ insurance and material warranties
After doing all of these, all you have to do is sign the contract.
If you haven’t found a contractor specializing in residential roofing service yet, it might be worth considering hiring Exterior Building Solutions. With an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and over 25 years of experience in the roofing industry, you can expect quality service from our staff. To request an estimate, you can call us at (314) 470-8783 or fill out this form. We also serve clients in St Louis, MO.