A new roof is one of the largest investments a homeowner will make in their property, and the unique mix of historic farmhouses, established neighborhoods, and four distinct seasons that define Lancaster County makes knowing what to ask before hiring a roofing contractor vital.
A roof here has to be able to withstand the summer thunderstorms and the winter ice in between, and the crew installing it needs to know exactly what they’re doing. Before you sign anything, these are the questions you should ask.
1. Are You Licensed and Insured for Work in Pennsylvania?
This is hands-down the most common question we have to answer when a new homeowner reaches out, and a legitimate roofing contractor should be able to provide proof of their company’s Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration number and liability and workers’ compensation insurance with no hesitation. If they balk at the idea of sharing this information and providing proof of it on the spot, you’ve got a company to steer clear of.
2. What Manufacturer Certifications Do You Hold?
Manufacturer certifications don’t just reflect the level of training a roofing contractor holds, they unlock warranty coverage that other contractors may be unable to provide. A GAF Master Elite certification, for instance, is only handed to the top 2% of roofing contractors in the country, and the warranty coverage those certified contractors provide goes beyond just the materials, covering the installation work as well. Asking what certifications a contractor has and what those certifications mean for extended warranty protection is one of the best questions to ask a roofing contractor.
3. Do You Offer a Workmanship Guarantee, and What Does It Cover?
While manufacturer’s warranties for materials typically come with the roof, workmanship warranties ensure that the labor performed on your roof is up to standard. A good workmanship guarantee should cover flashing, seams, and fasteners beyond just the materials used, ensuring that the roofing crew installed a great roof, not just a decent one. A reliable guarantee should also be transferable and run for at least 20 years, ensuring that the work they did is covered for decades.
4. Will You Inspect the Roof Deck Before Installing New Materials?
One of the most common tricks of the trade in the roofing industry is to install new shingles or panels over damaged decking, and it’s one of the best ways to cut costs in the short term without regard for the well-being of the home in the long term. Ask the contractor up front if they plan to inspect the roof deck as part of tear-off and repair the decking as necessary, rather than installing new materials directly over the existing one.
5. How Will You Protect My Property During the Project?
Roofing projects require a lot more than just work on the roof, so ask the roofing contractor about how they intend to protect your property during the course of the project. This includes both equipment setup and clean up, with some contractors offering to clear away stray nails after each day’s work as well as protecting landscaping and other fixtures once the project is complete. Contractors who really care about your property will be specific about what they plan to do to ensure it remains undamaged throughout the course of the project.
6. Can I See Recent Local Projects?
Any reputable contractor should be able to show you recent local jobs that they’ve worked on, not just stock photos in their portfolio or examples from other areas of the country. Recent local jobs are a sign that the contractor is familiar with the demands of the local climate and has a strong presence in the area, and also that there are other homeowners in the region who have hired them and can vouch for their skill.
7. Who Will Be On My Roof?
Some roofing contractors outsource their labor to other companies, which can leave homeowners in the lurch if the company they hired doesn’t have the training or equipment to do the necessary work. Ask a potential roofing contractor who will be on your roof to ensure that the company you’re hiring has direct control over the work being done, as well as how long their crews have been doing this particular kind of roofing.
8. What Does the Estimate Include?
A good estimate will include a breakdown of the scope of work, specific materials, labor costs, disposal fees, time frame, and payment information for your roofing project. A contractor who rushes you into accepting an estimate before you’ve had a chance to read it is likely hiding something. You should be able to review the estimate on your own time to make an informed decision.
Choosing a Contractor You Can Trust
The right roofing contractor won’t just be willing to answer these questions, they’ll be glad to. MR Roofing prides ourselves on the quality of our work, and we’ve earned a solid reputation across SE Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland, offering a 20 year workmanship guarantee on every project we take on. As a GAF Factory Certified Master Elite Contractor, we’re also able to offer extended warranty coverage that most other roofing companies can’t.
Ready to find out what it means to have a roofing contractor who values your questions as much as your business? Contact MR Roofing for a free, no obligation estimate and find out for yourself what it means to hire a roofing company who values your questions.