Looking for a new roof can be a tedious process. With the plethora of roofing options available today, it can be difficult for the typical homeowner to decide on a product and roofing company. This multi-part guide is designed to help property owners with the decision-making process by identifying the different factors to look for when shopping for a new roof. There are three primary factors that you want to address when buying a new roof: the problem, the solution, and the price to replace. You’ll need your project to be evaluated by a roofing expert, you’ll need a proposed solution for your roofing issue, and you’ll need a roofing contractor to provide you with pricing. Check out some tips on selecting the right roofing contractor in Des Moines below and then contact Boulevard Building Co. for an inspection.
Choosing a Roofing Contractor
The first item to consider when planning your roofing project is selecting a contractor. In the Midwest, there are thousands of roofing contractors and there are hundreds here in Iowa alone. How do you know which one will be the best for the project? With such a magnitude of options available, there are some key characteristics to selecting the best roofing contractor for your project. Although seeking multiple proposals for your roofing project is recommended, the ideal goal is to save time and effort by knowing in advance that the roofing contractor you contact possesses these key characteristics.
- Reputation
- Positive customer reviews from
- reliable sources
- Google, Facebook, BBB, Yelp
- Customer Service
- Responsive
- Answers phone quickly
- Calls back quickly
- Courteous
- Happy for the opportunity to earn your business
- Helpful with questions
- Professional
- Attentive
- Phone greeting
- Clean appearance
- Organized
- Easy to schedule appointments
- Sample products available
- Able to easily communicate through a variety of methods
- Certifications and Licenses
- Manufacturer’s certification
- State license
- Business insurance
- Workers compensation insurance
Among the top characteristics of a good roofing contractor are customer service and reputation. If your prospective contractor arrives with an unkempt unprofessional appearance, it can be assumed their workmanship will be the same. If scheduling an estimate is a headache or the contractor is not responsive to your emails and calls previous to installation, this could be a reflection of the work a buyer could expect to receive. Perhaps you have a family member or friend who recommends a contractor or maybe you have done some research online and have found a few contractors with positive reviews on various review sources. Whatever the case may be, you will want to verify their credibility by asking questions and looking into their ratings with the Better Business Bureau.
More important information to consider is the roofing contractor’s certifications and licenses. Each roofing manufacturer offers warranties stipulated on the certification level of the contractor. In most cases, the best warranties require the highest certification level for that particular manufacturer. The certification level is acquired through various training classes and other roofing manufacturer specified qualifications. Once you’ve selected a roofing contractor for your project, the next step is to contact them and set up a meeting to discuss your project. It is important for the contractor to be knowledgeable and have installation experience as well as a professional appearance. Address these topics in the consultation.
As a homeowner, you may not know the full scope of your project. You may have a leak that can be repaired, or you may have extensive damage of which you were previously unaware. A quality contractor will be prepared to answer any and all questions you may have regarding your roofing project. Finding the best roofing contractor for your project can be exhausting, but doing research ahead can save you money, headaches, and time. Use the ideas presented in this article to find an experienced, professional, and knowledgeable roofing contractor that is suited to fit your specific project and budget.
Be sure to share your experience by writing a personal customer review so that other homeowners may enjoy the same quality, roofing contractor.