Hiring Roofing Contractors in Vancouver
With winter well on its way, it might be time to consider the state of your roof. Is there a leak you’ve been ignoring? Noticed a patch of mold or dirt? It’s time to stop putting your roof repair on hold until some far off point in the future. Why not take your future into your own hands and make a call today to a licensed Vancouver roofing contractor who can help you plan your next big renovation?
There are certainly some tips and tricks to working well with a contractor, but what can make the biggest difference is finding a qualified, certified professional who can walk you through the process. Home renovation doesn’t have to be stressful and selecting the best among Vancouver roofing contractors can make all the difference.
If you’ve never worked with a contractor before, it might seem daunting to find the right one. That’s why we’ve compiled some starting points. Here is a list of questions to ask before hiring Vancouver roofing contractors. Take a look and keep these in mind as you begin your search:
Are you a licensed roofing contractor and do you have insurance?
This might seem like an obvious question, but you’d be surprised by how many contractors are operating without the proper licensing and insurance. It’s extremely important that you work with a company that is licensed and carries both workman’s compensation and general liability insurance to cover the health of their workers so that the risk doesn’t fall to you in case of an emergency while on the job.
Think of it this way, construction is a dangerous job where people operate and use heavy machinery and tools from great heights. Working with a licensed professional ensures that their workers have been trained to use the machinery needed to repair your roof and the permits which would allow them the right to perform the work needed.
Similarly, an insured contractor will prevent your home or your family from being at risk if property around your home is damaged. Never assume that just because a company is licensed, that it means that its employees are insured. And more importantly, never work with a construction company that does not insure their employees.
Keep everyone safe and only work with companies that protect both their customers and their employees.
How long have you been in business?
Sometimes homeowners put price before quality, but in the long run, this won’t benefit you. When it comes to contractors, it pays to work with someone who is more established, even if it’s more expensive than a brand new contractor who’s willing to cut you a deal.
Would you let a new stylist cut your bangs or color your hair? No, because you want to know that the work performed will be what you expect. The same goes for working with a roofer. To ensure the quality and longevity of your roof, select someone who has experience with projects like the one you are requesting.
Working with a roofing professional who has a long record of performing high-quality installations likely also means that past clients can provide good references.
Do you have any references?
A sign of a good contractor is one who will have former customers who both liked the work they did for them and are willing to talk them up to new clients. When working with a new contractor, it is important to ask for references and look at photos of past roofing projects. This a good way to see if they’ve done quality work in the past and might help you visualize the work that they’ll do on your home.
When speaking with former clients, they might give you information that the contractor may not tell you like how their rates compared to competitors and if the project interrupted their schedules.
Are you willing to remove my old roof? Is this an added cost?
You’ve decided that you like what you’ve seen from your contractor’s references and you want to move forward, but before you sign your name on the dotted line make sure to ask if your contractor will remove your old roof before they install the new one.
Some roofing professionals might tell you that it’s best to inspect the roof on sight and then just shingle over the damaged parts. Additionally, this step may tack on an added fee that could vary between companies.
Is there a warranty on my new roof?
Most companies will provide workmanship warranties, but make sure they can offer product warranties as well. Manufactures entrust the best roofers to distribute product warranties on their behalf to ensure your roof is cared for if, for example, shingles fall off after a wind storm after only one-year post installation. Also, ask specifically what each warranty includes and how long each lasts. This is an area where you may find a breadth of answers between companies.
What is the best way to communicate with you?
Hopefully, your renovation will run smoothly, but in the chance that there are bumps along the way it’s important to know how to contact the point person for your project. Some contractors might prefer email, while others welcome calls and even texts. You should also ask if there will be someone on-site who you can direct your questions or concerns to if something arises.
Now that you’ve learned the best queries to ask when looking for Vancouver roofing contractors why not give Executive Roof Services a call?
We have experienced roofing professionals in the Vancouver area who take pride in our work and guarantee that you’ll be happy with our services. Reach out today to schedule an appointment or to ask any questions you might have about your specific project or our personal qualifications and offerings.