Expert Roofers

Expert Roofers: The Most Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring One

Whether you’re repairing your roof, replacing your roof, or doing something else with your roof, you would be wise to utilize the services of expert roofers.

Of course, if you’re going to use the services of a roof contractor, you’re first going to have to find one — and while you might not know it, there are a number of mistakes you could make while choosing such a contractor. 

Curious as to what these mistakes are? Then read on because we’re going to review them all in detail below. 

Failing to Obtain an Estimate

Perhaps the biggest mistake you can make when hiring a roofing contractor is failing to obtain an estimate. This is a mistake for a multitude of reasons. 

For one, it leaves you vulnerable to the whims of the contractor. Therefore, if the contractor wants to charge hundreds of dollars more than they normally would, they very well could. 

It also leaves you clueless as to what exactly you’re going to have to pay. Because roofing costs can vary greatly, this will make it difficult for you to set a budget. 

In addition, not obtaining an estimate leaves you blind as to what you’re actually paying for. As such, you could end up paying for services that you never really wanted. 

As such, you need to call up your prospective roofers and ask for itemized quotes. These quotes should include every aspect of the roofing project and should be accurate within $250. 

Not Considering Enough Options

There are likely dozens of roofing contractors in your area. If you’re in an urban area, you could even have hundreds of options available to you. Now, you don’t need to consider all of these; however, you should consider a large handful. 

It’s common for homeowners to consider only two or three options before making a choice. This can work out. However, it can also make it difficult for homeowners to know what to expect. 

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By comparing ten or more options, you get a good idea as to what’s considered high-quality. You also gain an understanding of the average prices in your area. These factors can go a long way in helping you make the right choice. 

So, don’t impulse sign with the first contractor you come across. Do your due diligence, become informed, and then make your choice. 

Choosing a Contractor With Little Experience

You don’t need to hire the most experienced roofing contractor in your area. However, you shouldn’t choose a newbie either. You need to make sure that your chosen roofer has a decent amount of real-world experience under their belt. 

Experience is important for a variety of reasons. For one, it allows a roofer to shake off common mistakes and hone their skills. In addition, it gives a roofer time to perfect their operational and business processes. 

If you were to hire a rookie roofer, you would essentially be turning yourself into their guinea pig. They would be experimenting on you and your roof. And because they’re relatively new to the process, they would almost certainly be making mistakes along the way. 

In choosing an experienced roofer, you avoid these mistakes and allow yourself the best experience possible. 

Choosing a Contractor Without a Warranty 

Another mistake you might make when choosing a roofing contractor is choosing a contractor without a warranty. In doing this, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to sub-par work. 

Let’s say the roofer makes a mistake that you don’t notice until after the project is finished. If the roofer doesn’t offer a warranty, they have no obligation to fix the mistake for you. As such, you could find yourself paying extra money to have another roofer fix it. 

If your roofer offered a warranty, however, they would be legally required to fix this mistake. As such, you wouldn’t have to pay any additional money. This means that you would get the service you paid for at the price you originally agreed upon.

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Note, make sure the warranty is specified in the contract. If it’s not in the contract, it doesn’t need to be honored. 

Failing to Check for Insurance

When choosing a roofing contractor, insurance coverage is a must. If the contractor doesn’t have insurance, and they do damage to your property during the project, you could be put in a position where you’re forced to pay substantial additional money. 

The same goes for if one of the contractor’s employees is injured on your property. If the contractor doesn’t have the proper insurance, you could be forced to pay workers’ compensation to the employee. 

As such, before signing any contracts, you need to make sure that the contractor has both workers’ compensation insurance and general liability insurance. Ask to see proof of both before commencing with the project. 

Choosing the Cheapest Option

The final mistake we’re going to discuss is the mistake of choosing the cheapest option. This is an understandable impulse. After all, people aren’t made of money. 

However, in many cases, the cheapest option is also one of the worst. Cheap usually equates to inexperienced or sub-par or uninsured. While there are exceptions, they’re just that: exceptions. 

Now, this doesn’t mean you should never pick the cheapest option. However, its low price shouldn’t be its main selling point. It should meet all of the criteria of a quality roofing company, just like DMV Roofing Pros does. 

Finding Expert Roofers Doesn’t Need to Be Difficult

When push comes to shove, finding expert roofers doesn’t need to be difficult. Just take heed of the mistakes discussed above and you’re sure to find the best roof contractor for your task. 

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