Is Your Roofing Contractor Legit?

Things to do and be aware of to ensure your roofing contractor is legitimate and approaching your project fairly.

#1. Get multiple estimates.

Reach out to more than one contractor to ensure the pricing is fair. Two to three estimates should be within 10-20% of each other. If one is a radical departure from the others, soaring much higher, that may be a sign of unfair pricing.

#2. Call the supplier.

Who does the contractor work with? Reaching out to the supplier to get a sense of the roofing company’s reputation may raise red flags if there are any. This may also give you a sense of the business standard of the supplier. You know the saying, birds of a feather flock together, the same goes for those who work together.

#3. Is the roofing contractor pulling permits?

Pulling permits is always an indication of a legitimate job. Not pulling permits is, well … cutting corners and not keeping the work in check to be sure it’s done right.

#4. Call your city’s building department to establish the credibility of the contractor.

Does the building department know your contractor? What has their experience been with the company? Are they positive wavemakers in the community?

#5. Anyone asking for a large deposit – stay away.

The idea for the trade in taking a deposit is to solidify a spot or opening to plan for – so the purpose of a roofer taking a small deposit is so the customer knows they are inline and the roofer knows the customer is a legit client that’s ready to commit to the protect.

#6. Communication.

It’s important to be able to have the contractor answer any questions or concerns you may have. If they are relatively easy to talk to and connect with, that’s a good sign! If they avoid you, don’t answer or return your calls, and don’t explain things you ask about you may want to find someone who does.

#7. Get a detailed written estimate upfront.

Of course, there is always the possibility of the unexpected coming up and causing extra work, materials, and costs, but a contractor should be able to tell you what they plan to do and how much they expect it to charge.

#8. Warrant agreement in writing.

A handshake and verbal agreements don’t protect you! Be sure to get a written warranty on the project. A roofer not willing to do that must not be confident in their work or aren’t going to do the job as they should. A credible contractor delivers on the specified job and backs up their work!

#9. Do they seem unprofessional?

If they are unprofessional and seem shoddy, their work may be, too. Keep looking for a company that is a step AHEAD of the pack, not groveling below.