When it comes to an area like Houston, Texas, that deals with hurricanes on a regular basis, you are likely to find a wide selection of roofing contractors; it is a much needed service. However, with so many companies available, it is likely that you will come across one that you cannot trust. Be sure to avoid these mistakes when hiring roofing contractors.
1. Not reading the contract before signing it- The purpose of a contract is to ensure that both parties abide by the established rules. The roofer wants to make sure he gets paid when he does the job. Seems fair enough, right? Well, in the roofing business, not all contracts are created equal. While some roofing contractors just want a guaranteed payment, those with less integrity may try to get attached to you with some outrageous things included in the contract. With that in mind, read the contract carefully before signing it. And whatever you do, keep your copy.
2. Not checking the Better Business Bureau website- When you visit the Better Business Bureau website, in big, bold type, you’ll see “Start with Confidence.” There is truth behind the slogan. Before you sign any contract or give the green light for a group of roofing contractors to start work, make sure they are members of the BBB. If they are members, that means they are governed by a higher authority and can prove customer satisfaction. Read the reviews and see if any customers have made complaints. If they have no complaints, you’ve probably found reputable roofing contractors.
3. Not checking references- Even if you have checked the BBB site, you should request a list of references. Since you don’t want to leave any stones unturned when looking for roofing contractors, calling for references could lead to a dissatisfied customer who didn’t think to report their concerns on the BBB website. Past clients have experience dealing with the company you are entertaining and can open your eyes to what they do wrong (if at all) and what they do right.
4. Not asking for a guarantee- What happens once you’ve got a new roof on your house, but you’re not happy with the job? Maybe his roof is still sagging, or maybe the roofing contractors left debris strewn across his yard. I hope you asked about a guarantee. Reliable roofing contractors will guarantee your satisfaction. A quick phone call will have them coming home to fix any work that doesn’t meet their standards.
5. Not asking about technique- Simply put, some roofing contractors do the job incorrectly. To speed up the job, they can fire their nail guns and run randomly across the roof replacement. The problem with this is that nail guns have to be carefully adjusted for use on roofing shingles. When shingling, it is important not to drive the nail too deep. Doing so will compromise the effectiveness of the shingle and cause the roof to leak. Nail guns are so powerful that they often drive the nail too deep into the plywood deck. That being said, a manual hammer is preferred. So don’t forget to question your roofer’s technique. If you don’t, your roof may fail the inspection.
Asking the right questions and doing a little research will help you avoid the above mistakes. And avoiding these mistakes means finding roofing contractors you can trust for professional roof replacement.