There are a lot of joys that come with home ownership. Having a sanctuary where you feel safe and sheltered from the world is so important, especially in today’s turbulent times. It’s wonderful to have a place to call your own, and to be able to step out of the world of landlords and renting. With your own house, you can dream of and plan improvements and see your pride of ownership reflected in the completed projects.
It can also take a good amount of work to keep your house and property in tip top shape. Routine and preventative maintenance is critical if you want to keep things running right and have systems in your home last well into the future. If you are looking at a big-ticket improvement, like a new roof, it’s also very important to do your due diligence and pick the best roofer for the job. The work you put in up front to hire the best roofing contractor will pay off for years to come.
Research the Companies and Get Recommendations
A replacement roof can be one of the biggest expenditures you will make as a homeowner. Since you will be investing a lot of money, and because your roof protects your whole house, you need to make the right choice when hiring a roof installation company. One of the things you can do is get recommendations from people you trust.
You’ll also be able to look online and find more information about the top roofing contractors in your area. Ideally, you’ll want to make sure that your candidates have a proven track record of local success and have been in business for at least fifteen years.
Follow Up by Checking with State Licensing Board
Once you’ve narrowed the field to a couple of contractors, you’ll want to be sure to check out each business with the state licensing board. Each state has a governing board, and they may be named differently. In some states it is the Contractor’s Licensing Board and in New Jersey, for instance, it’s the Division of Consumer Affairs.
You can work with the specific agency to verify how long the contractor has been in business, and if their license is current and in good standing. It’s also very helpful to find out if there have been any claims against the contractors filed with the state, or any noted adverse actions taken.
Get Everything in Writing Including the Warranty
Replacing a roof is a big job, and a lot of details go into getting the job done right. When you are working with potential contractors, it’s important to get everything in writing so you are protected. You’ll want to make sure their written estimate clearly spells out what the work will entail and the materials they are using on the job.
If you have any questions for the contractor, put those in writing and get their answers in writing too. Then you can reference and bind them to the contract you sign. You’ll also want to make sure the warranty is clearly spelled out in writing, and is part of the deal.
A replacement roof is possibly the biggest home improvement project you might ever do. It’s necessary to take the time to screen potential contractors, read and follow up on reviews and references, and get everything about the job in writing.
