When your roof starts to leak and cause problems throughout your home, it may be time for a replacement. According to Roofing Insights, roofing replacements make up more than 90% of the volume and value of the North American roofing industry. Before you hire local residential roofers for a roof replacement, make sure you ask these eight questions.
1. How Much Experience Do You Have?
Experience is one of the simplest ways to figure out if a company is reputable. You can’t stay in business for decades if you don’t do solid work and offer excellent customer service. Experienced local residential roofers have also had time to learn how to properly install various types of roofs while working around skylights, chimneys, vents, and more. It’s always smart to consider experience levels when you’re hiring contractors.
2. Is Your Business Locally Owned?
Just because you’re hiring a local roofing company doesn’t mean they’re locally owned. There are several roofing companies that have individual locations all across the country, but you might not know that if you don’t do your research. When you’re hiring local residential roofers, make sure you ask about who owns the company and how local it really is. Local roofers can help you choose the right type of roof based on your home, the climate, and your budget.
3. Who Will Install My Roof?
Unless you’re working with a small roofing company, they probably have more than one crew. Some companies even have separate residential and commercial crews. Figure out who’s going to install your roof and make sure they have the proper experience. Even better, you can hire local residential roofers that only work as a single crew, so you can always rest easy knowing you’re getting high-quality work.
4. How Long Does Installation Take?
Are you in a hurry to get your roof installed so you can go on vacation or list your home for sale? Even if you’re not in a rush, you probably want your roof installed as quickly as possible. Ask your roofing company how long it typically takes to install a roof. Keep in mind that some local roofing companies may take a little longer if they have a small crew.
5. Are You Licensed and Insured?
When you’re hiring any type of contractor or business, you want to make sure they’re licensed and insured. You don’t actually need to be licensed to work as a roofer in Wisconsin, but you do need a license if you’re working on certain types of homes. In any case, it’s smart to look for a licensed and insured contractor so you get quality work that’s backed by an insurance policy in case something goes wrong.
6. Will I Need a Permit?
Pulling permits can add a lot of work to a job, and it can even cost you a little extra. Before you hire local residential roofers, figure out whether you need a permit for your project. If you do need a building permit, you should ask any of the roofers you’re considering hiring if they can help you get the permits you need. Reputable roofers have experience pulling permits, so they can help you streamline the process.
7. Can You Work Around Skylights, Chimneys, and Vents?
Installing a roof to cover a basic sloped surface is simple, but that’s almost never how it works. There are vents on top of your home, and you might even have a chimney or skylight up there. If you have obstructions on your roof, ask local residential roofers if they can work around those obstructions. You can even ask for a sketch if you want to see how they’re going to work around a skylight or chimney.
8. Do You Offer Roof Maintenance?
Once you get your new roof installed, you need to maintain it to make sure it lasts as long as possible. Keeping your roof clean and removing moss and algae growth can help prevent damage over time. You also need to keep your gutters clean so your roof can stay dry. When you hire a roofer to install your roof, ask if they offer maintenance and repair services as well.
Whether you’ve got leaks, missing shingles, or granules in your gutters, there comes a time when every home needs a new roof. Luckily, local residential roofers can help you save money and streamline your project. If your home needs a roof replacement, give Prestige Roofing LLC a call to get a quote today.