Finding a trustworthy roofing contractor can be stressful. That will be the case whether you want one for a roof repair or a completely new installation. Therefore, we thought we’d help you sort through all the available roofing contractors in your area.

To that end, we present this series of excellent questions to ask before hiring a roofing contractor. The answers you get will provide insight into how good or reliable each potential candidate on your list is.

Are you licensed to work as a roofing contractor?

For this concern of yours, consider several things. Firstly, does a roofing contractor in your state need a license to work? The rules may vary for different states, and the answer to this question will tell you if you’re working with a roofer who complies with your state’s codes or not.

How can I contact you, besides on the phone number you gave me?

You must keep in mind that there are many fly-by-night contractors out there. Before they start working on your roof replacement, check out the legitimacy of their operation. You can call their workplace to verify if they are associated with the company.

You need to be more cautious if the roofer doesn’t work in Frederick, MD. Otherwise, you could have trouble chasing them down if something goes wrong with the work they did.

Do you have workman’s compensation insurance?

The answer you should get here is “yes.” The law mandates that employers with three or more employees must offer workman’s compensation insurance. However, some roofers and contractors will skimp out on this obligation. Because insurance is expensive, they think it is okay to do so.

If you hire someone whose company does not offer their employees workman’s compensation, you will be vulnerable. For instance, if any of the roofing contractor’s workers get injured on your property, you will have to pay thousands of dollars for their medical treatment

Therefore, to save your money, make sure the roofing contractor you hire has workman’s compensation insurance.

Do you carry general liability insurance?

As with the above question, the answer you must get is “yes.” Workman’s compensation insurance protects the employees on your property, whereas general liability insurance protects your actual property.

For instance, if a roofer accidentally burns your house down during the process of welding something on your roof, who pays for the repairs? Does their company carry liability insurance? Should they not, you could be liable for covering the costs.

For questions of insurance, you can’t only take the roofer’s word for it. Check out their insurance certificate. The certificate will list their address and name or the company name. If you still feel doubtful, you can call the insurance company and verify.

How much is a new roof installation?

A great contractor doesn’t merely provide you with the price of installation. Instead, they give you a detailed explanation of the products and the cost of every expense. They will tell you the specifics, offer you product samples, and also provide literature for those particular product samples.

Where can I find reviews?

A reliable roofing contractor in Frederick, MD, will not mind directing you to places where you can get real reviews from real customers. Reputable, expert, and qualified contractors work hard to satisfy homeowners and establish their reputations. A roof is not something you buy on a regular basis. Therefore, you must find out where to turn for trustworthy reviews of the contractor in question.

You can also use the internet for checking reviews from homeowners who have used a specific roofing contractor in your locality.

When you read the reviews from past purchasers, observe how they respond to the following questions:

• Did the project meet your budget?
• How long did the installation process take?
• Would you work with this roofing company again?
• Are you satisfied with your new roof? Does it leak?
• Did the company cover any damage that happened during the installation process?

Past customer experiences are indications of how your roofing installation will go now. If you are unable to get the information you need online, you may ask your roofing contractor to let you call previous customers directly. Usually, experienced builders are glad to share that evidence.

The DC Generals team is made up of professional, experienced roofing contractors, and we’re always happy to prove our worth and credentials. If you have any questions about us or our services, please call at (240) 629-8464 or fill in this form to get in touch!