What Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor Before Hiring

Considering how significant of a role your roof plays when it comes to your property’s curb appeal, performance, and protection against the elements, you can’t afford to partner with just any average contractor when the time comes for the roof replacement, repair, or maintenance you need. That’s why it’s always important to know exactly who and what you’re looking for when you’re weighing the different partners you could choose to work with. In other words, having a defined set of questions ready to go to ask potential contractors so that you can narrow down your choices is always a good idea. Let our team at Lifetime Roofing provide you with some direction on what questions to ask a roofing contractor before hiring them.

Are You Licensed & Insured?

This is an important question to ask up front, as reputable roofing contractors should be properly licensed and insured in compliance with state or local guidelines. That way, you’re protected in the event that someone is injured during your project or if damage occurs while work is being done. Any time a contractor is hesitant to share their licensing and insurance information, that can be a major red flag and a quick sign that your search for the right partner should continue.

How Long Have You Been in Business?

With something as important as your roof, you need a contractor with experience. Asking about a contractor’s experience is always a smart idea, whether it’s specifically the amount of time the business has been operating or how much experience the business’ team members have. Because even if the contractor itself is a bit newer, but the team members have years and years of experience, that can still work out for your project.

Are You Local?

Working with a local roofing contractor has its advantages. For one, local contractors understand the local climate, as well as building codes and permit requirements. It can make the whole roofing process much smoother. Beyond that, though, there’s also the fact that you should be cautious of any out-of-state or “storm-chasing” contractors who surface after a severe weather event and then disappear when the work is done. Staying local with your contractor can give you more peace of mind, especially in the event that you need follow-up work or warranty support.

Can You Provide References or Examples of Your Work?

Whether it’s recent reviews from other clients or a portfolio with examples of the jobs they’ve done, it’s always good to get a sense of a roofing contractor’s background and track record. Most trustworthy contractors will be happy to show you examples of their work, whereas any hesitancy or refusal to share references or examples could be seen as another red flag.

What Is Included With Your Roofing Estimate?

Most roofing contractors will offer an estimate up front, but it’s worth asking what exactly their estimate includes. The more detailed an estimate is, the better, as it should clearly outline what you should expect out of your project. Specifically, you can ask whether the contractor’s estimate includes removal and disposal of your current roof, the type and brand of your chosen roofing materials, underlayment, flashing, and ventilation components, labor and installation costs, permits and inspections, and how decking repairs are handled if damage is found.

What Roofing Materials Do You Offer?

Of course, if you’re investing in a project as significant as a roof replacement, you’ll want to ask all potential partners about the materials they offer, as well as the manufacturers they source their materials from. That will give you an idea of the quality you can expect, plus it’ll give you a clearer picture of your options and whether this particular contractor aligns with what you had in mind for your project material-wise. You can always ask about recommendations, too, as that’ll give you more of an idea of whether this is the right partner to rely on.

Do You Offer Warranty Protections?

You always want your investments to be protected, right? So, be sure to ask about any warranties that accompany your project. Do you get the manufacturer’s warranty as well as the contractor’s workmanship warranty? What is the extent of the warranty protection you’re getting? Is it transferable if you sell your home? These are all important sub-questions to ask when you’re on the topic of roofing warranties.

Who Will Be On-Site During the Project?

This question is two-fold. On one hand, you’ll want to get a clear answer as to whether the contractor’s own employees will be working on your roof or if they use subcontractors. Whether that matters to you one way or the other is ultimately up to you, but it’s smart to have an answer anyway. On the other side of this question, you’ll want to know if you’ll have a dedicated project manager on-site to oversee everything that’s happening, as that can always provide added peace of mind.

Ask Michigan’s Premier Roofing Contractor the Questions You Have

If you’re in the market for expert roofing work at your home in Michigan, you’re already in the right place. Lifetime Roofing is the team to partner with for roof replacements, roof repairs, and roof maintenance. So, if you want to run down this list of questions with one of our trusted representatives, we’d love to talk with you and provide you with the answers you need! Contact us today with any questions you have, plus you can get things started with a free estimate.