According to the experts, there are plenty of signs that you’ve hired a bad contractor. The problem is that a lot of them tend to become clear after you’ve already started working with them. 

The question is, how do you make sure that you’ve found a great contractor before signing any paperwork or putting any money down?

Your roof is one of the most important structural components of your home–and one of the biggest investments a homeowner can make.

Read on to learn how to weed out the bad residential roofing contractors from the good and make the right decision the first time.

Licensing and Insurance

Believe it or not, not every contractor available for hire is licensed to perform the service they offer. Licensing guarantees that a contractor has been reviewed by a professional board and deemed up to professional standards. Always looking for residential roofing contractors who have a roofing license.

Insurance is another important factor that doesn’t just protect a contractor’s finances. It also protects your finances. If something goes wrong on the job and you’re looking at property damage or even theft, it’s important to know that your contractor is insured and can recoup those losses for you.

Online Reviews

What’s one of the simplest ways to verify that a contractor is up to your standards? Take a look at their online reviews.

Most contractors will designate a page of their website to customer-generated reviews. If you can’t find any on their website, it may indicate that they’re a newer company with limited credibility or that they tend to get negative reviews.

If there are no reviews to be found on a contractor’s website, go ahead and take a look at review sites like Yelp. Make sure you read the good and the bad. See how the contractor responds to negative reviews and whether or not it seems like they’re willing to make constructive changes with the criticism they receive.

Ultimately, you want to find a residential roofing contractor that receives good reviews across the board. Look for signs that they are reliable, show up on time, finish the job in the projected timeframe, and use quality materials.

Clear Channels of Communication

You don’t want to hire a contractor only to find it impossible to hunt them down. A contractor’s website should offer clear channels of communication both before and during the job.

For example, take a look at this roofing contractor website. You can find a phone number and a quote request form all at the top of their homepage. This is a contracting company that takes your needs seriously.

Hire the Right Residential Roofing Contractors the First Time

Don’t hire someone who checks all of the boxes of a bad contractor. Use our tips to find quality residential roofing contractors the first time.

Looking for more tips and tricks to improve your game as a real estate agent or homeowner? Take a look at more of our content and find ways to make your property shine.