Let’s draw a picture. It’s a lazy weekend, and you are at your favorite spot in town, hanging out with your bosom buddies as you talk. It also turns out that you’ve been working on completing your housing project, which is at the critical roofing stage. But you’ve hit a snag: you can’t seem to find a residential roofing company that is a perfect fit for the job at hand. By examining the best approaches to choosing a residential roofing company, I reckon you can narrow down your search. Here are a few pointers.
How to choose a residential roofing company
How long has the residential roofing company been in business? Would you hire a novice to roof your home? Perhaps not. We’ve probably experienced or encountered someone who had to redo a project based on poor quality. Talk of unpleasant homeownership experiences, and this could top any list.
Experienced roofing companies are often eager to showcase portfolios of projects they’ve tackled. It engenders confidence in clients. It’s easier to overlook the high cost of hiring an experienced contractor or company due to the perceived value you expect from them.
Ram Roofing residential roofers take every project seriously, and the organization stands by the solid work its dedicated crew does. The company has built its reputation through diverse and complex projects over time, and its completed masterpieces are a testament to this regard.
- Let your inquisitive side out
Be prepared to bombard prospective roofing contractors with questions. And when you are done asking, ask some more. Here’s why.
Some roofing materials such as green roofs and cedar shake require specialists to install, some of which may not be available in your area. If that’s the case, you need to find that out from the onset so you can extend the scope of your search.
By now, you have an image of the type of roof you want, yes? What about the roofing materials? Does the company provide on-site inspections and a post-inspection estimate? Is the contractor licensed and insured? How will the roofing company bill you?
Answers to these and more questions can help you gauge whether a roofing company is an ideal fit for your pending project. While at it, consider detailing the scope or issues relating to your roof to foster mutual understanding. Also, having all the details regarding a project reduces possible complications when the project commences.
- Review references
Homeowners cannot underestimate the importance of references. As a prospective hirer, you need to know about the roofing company you’re about to hire. Poke around with a fine-tooth comb to ascertain the quality of their work.
Such a background check may unearth some nasty surprise or be the foundation of a great working relationship. A company that is willing to provide references attesting to its service delivery is one I would be eager to assign a project.
On the other hand, some contractors fail to stick to the project schedule on unreasonable grounds, resulting in cost overruns. You can easily strike out such companies from your list of prospects by asking around.
You may also want to consider getting a referral from a friend or family member, which could mean the difference between a successful project and one that goes belly up. I shudder to imagine the huge financial implication of hiring a fly-by-night contractor who is only out to make a quick buck.
- Make price comparisons
Treat the process of hiring a roofing contractor the same way you would when shopping for a car or other significant investment requiring a large financial outlay. Ask for quotations from three or so roofing companies to make comparisons. Don’t hire the first bidder.
However, bear in mind that the lowest bidder may not always offer the best service. The highest bidder may or may not guarantee quality artistry along the same lines. Sounds confusing, right? Which bid is within your budget? Does the contractor check all the other boxes we’ve looked at in this piece? Neat.
- Put it down on paper.
Get your paperwork in order. Putting pen to paper helps both parties read from the same page. If you are the kind of person who abhors hidden costs and project overruns, then you understand the value of a written quote.
It is also easier to plan when issues such as the price breakdown, agreed medium of payment, and project timelines are written. To pre-empt disappointment, take this suggestion under advisement.
I believe we all hold onto the belief that quality artistry is the epitome of creating lasting business relationships. Get in touch to discuss your roofing needs, and the company’s staff will be happy to lend a helping hand.
