Your roof is one of the single most important elements of your home. After all, it protects you and your family and so it’s worth investing in. We know that roofing can seem expensive and that even when it comes to roofing maintenance, it may seem like a good idea to go for the cheapest option, but this definitely not the case. Aside from relying on cost only when choosing a roofer, there are a few mistakes you should avoid when hiring a roofing contractor in South Florida.
Hiring Inexperienced Roofers
This mistake has the potential to land you in a sticky situation. While some roofing contractors claim to have experience in all types of roofing projects, you want to be sure that this is the case. You will realize the impact of this mistake when it’s too late, and you’ve already spent your hard-earned cash. Experienced roofers will have qualifications and certifications to back-up their skills. You should be able to comfortably ask questions and have them answered. This is where references also play a role because experienced roofers will have a good list of references to offer you.
Not Asking For References
You should always seek out previous clients when hiring a roofer. This is for your own peace-of-mind and it is necessary to know what type of quality work you are paying for. Roofing contractors will have a list of references that they can provide you with which should consist of past clients and other employers. Do your research online too, and see what people are saying about working with the contractor and the type of work they have completed previously. You can have a look at the Better Business Bureau as well as the National Association of Home Builders for recommendations and reviews on businesses.
Choosing Your First Find
Whether you’re planning a reroofing project or looking to install a new roof, you’ll want to be sure that you’ve had a look at all your options. Recommendations from friends and family that have had a good experience with a building contractor is a decent place to start, but don’t settle for the easiest or first option that you come across. Consider this a financial investment that you should shop around for, both on quality and cost.
In saying this, don’t settle for the first offer you get. Make a list of contractors and their offerings so that you can get an idea of what the average price you can expect to pay. This will help you in making your final decision when selecting the contractor. Be wary of noticeably low costs with a specific company. This can sometimes be a result of the quality of materials they’re using and you want the best for your home. Quotes and costing should be thorough and detailed.
Disregarding Insurance and Warranties
Choose a roofing contractor that has insurance on their work and offers warranties. Proving that they have insurance should also be no problem. This is to ensure that should any damage occur to your property during the project, you’re covered and they’re covered. Warranties cover the lifespan of materials and your roof. You’ve paid for your roof and you expect it to last. Should anything go wrong, you must be covered for that too. AABCO Roofing offers various warranties on our workmanship.
Signing Off Prematurely
During a re-roofing project, it may seem like a good idea to sign off on your roofer’s plans as soon as possible in order to speed the project along but this is the last thing you should be encouraged to do. Take your time when reviewing roofing plans, costs, and materials from your contractor. Do not pay ahead of time because you feel like you’re doing your contractor a favor or speeding up the job. Before you pay for the job, be sure that you are happy with the quality of work that has been done and not just near completion. You are tied to contracts too when signing with a roofing contractor and you may not be able to backtrack on certain elements once you’ve paid for a completed job prematurely.
What it comes down to, is that you need to do your research before hiring a roofing contractor. This is to ensure that you know what you’re paying for and you know what to expect. Don’t be afraid to ask for references of previous work and be sure to ask about insurance and warranties. A roofer that is confident in their work will be able to answer all your questions, offer you quality references and give you the assurance you need.
Call AABCO Roofing for all your residential and commercial roofing needs. We’re ready to assist you with your roofing project.
