Blog

Questions you should ask before you decide to hire a contractor to fix your roof:

What happens if you are not satisfied with the work on your roof?

Anytime you hire a roofing contractor (or any other type of contractor), you may be unhappy with the outcome of their work. In the case that this does happen, you need to know how the contractor will handle it. Will you be offered a discount? Will they do the repairs free of charge? Or will they simply take off with your money? If you aren’t confident in how they will handle problems that arise, choose a different roofing contractor.

Will they remove your old roof?

If you’re having a new roof installed, your roofing contractor must be willing to remove your old roof first. Some contractors will simply put new shingles on top of old shingles, but this is almost always a bad idea. Not only does this add additional weight, but it also prevents them from discovering any underlying concerns that need to be addressed or repaired. If they don’t remove your old roof, move on.

Are they a preferred partner or authorized installer?

If not, some manufacturers may not uphold their warranties. Many manufacturers will only consider a warranty valid if the person who installs the roof is someone who is authorized to do so. So if you hire someone who isn’t authorized and something goes wrong, you could end up paying a hefty fee for repairs.

Do they have a good score on the BBB?

In addition to checking to see if a roofing contractor has a good reputation on review websites, you should also check their reputation on the Better Business Bureau website. Look for contractors that have a good score, and avoid contractors that are not listed.

Do they offer options?

When it comes to roofing, there’s a lot of different shingle options out there. A good roofing contractor will be able to tell you about all of the various options available and will also be able to give you advice as to which shingles they feel would be the best fit for your home or project.

McAllen Valley Roofing Co. project manager inspecting a residential shingle roof after a complete roof replacement.

Additional Questions to Ask:

• What is the name and address of your roofing company? (Look for a local roofing San Antonio contractor that is familiar with the laws and regulations in your zoning area. )
• Do you carry insurance? What does it cover?
• Are you licensed? What are your credentials?
• How long have you been in business?
• Can I see some samples of your work or a portfolio?
• Can you provide me with referrals or references?
• What type of workmanship warranty do you offer?
• How do you handle customer complaints? How do I file a complaint if I have one?
• Can you give me a free estimate?
• Are you aware of the local codes? Do I need to obtain any permits? How do I go about obtaining permits?

Don’t be afraid to ask your roofing contractor the hard questions. A good contractor will take pride in their work and will also be happy to answer any and all questions that you may have about their services.

Test the Contractor

Ask your contractor this trick question: Can you do a layover instead of a full roof replacement?

Another quick test to determine whether or not you’re dealing with an ethical, reputable roofing service is to ask for a “layover.” This is a trick question, so it’s important that you ask exactly how it’s written above.

What is a roofing layover?

A roofing layover is when the roofer nails new shingles directly over your existing shingles instead of first taking them off. Laying one layer directly over the other.
Important: If the roofing contractor answers “Yes, we can do a layover instead of a full roof replacement!” then it may be a sign that they’re just out to make a buck because this practice can be detrimental to your roof’s health.

Why is a roofing layover bad for your roof?

Think about why you’re looking to replace your roof in the first place. Most likely, it’s because there’s something wrong! And if this is the case, then why cover it up? Covering up your existing problems with a roof layover won’t protect your for long, if at all, and in many cases will do more damage than good in the short term.

If your roof has signs of water damage like moss or lichen, then avoiding a layover is even more important. Adding a layer of shingles on top of a roof that already has water damage will encourage the moss or lichen to fester, spread, and break down both the old and new layer of shingles. Definitely not a good use of your remodeling budget.

On top of the issues festering, a layover takes away your ability to really know what’s going on on your roof because you can no longer see the damage.

Do you know how heavy shingles are?

HEAVY! Like, really heavy…

Writing up the Contract

Once you have found a contractor that you like, you want to make sure that you have a full agreement in a written contract. If a contractor does not provide you with a written contract, you should be suspicious of them. Always be sure to read over the contract and make sure it includes:

• The name, address, and contact information of your contractor
• A description of the work they are doing and the materials they will use
• A written estimate or quote with itemized costs for labor and materials
• Work schedule and completion dates
• How they will handle any delays in work
• Any upfront payments that you are making — in the form of a deposit or down payment
• Details regarding how they will protect your property while they work
• Who is responsible for cleanup once they finish the job
• How they will handle any property damages
• A detailed description of any product/material warranties

Don’t skip on reading over the contract – this is what will protect your rights as a customer.

In Conclusion

It’s important to know that not all contractors are made equally. Be sure that you have answers to all of the questions listed above before you make a hire.

If you aren’t satisfied with the answers, consider looking for a new contractor. Remember, your roof is a big deal, so you want to be 100% confident in the person/people you are hiring to work on it. Don’t feel bad about asking questions – they will be what ensures a job well done.