01 Oct Questions to Ask Your Roofing Company

In our previous blog post titled “Signs Your Roofing Company Is Inexperienced & Unknowledgeable”, we reviewed the most common signs of poorly done roofing work. Once you have a better grasp of what to be aware of when it comes to improper roofing, here are the questions you should be asking your roofing contractor.

What is your roofing business’ legal name?

When you ask this question, don’t ever accept anything less than a definitive, clear answer. The roofing contractor (or another company representative) should have no problem revealing the legal name under which the business is licensed. This includes whether or not the business is filed as an LLC if that isn’t included in any of their promotional efforts. All the information they give you should match up with what the Better Business Bureau has on file for that business, as well as any online profiles. Otherwise, their business is likely just one of many scammy businesses likely advertising online, trying to get clients who aren’t educated enough about their roofing to know any better than to work with them.

What level of insurance does your roofing business carry?

Every state has different insurance requirements, but, generally speaking, roofing businesses are legally required to have a liability policy ranging between $500,000 and $1,000,000. If a roofing business has inadequate insurance or no insurance at all, the costs for any damage to your roof or injuries to a worker during the repair or installation process could come out of your pocket. So be sure to have the roofing company give you a precise number, which should be easy to verify through the company’s licensing information on your state’s official site.

Remember, you must ask the company about their level of insurance and get a definitive answer with a specific figure. It’s not enough to ask if they have insurance, as they can simply lie and say yes.

Who will supervise my roof installation?

The contractor should be present at all times to supervise your roofing installation. If the contractor is busy with other work, then a designated project manager should be supervising instead. If the roofing company has two or more roofing projects happening at the same time, they should have a project management team. The company should not be telling you that supervisors are unnecessary because their workers are experienced enough to operate without supervision. There are too many devilish details to keep track of with roofing, and getting any one of them wrong could derail the entire installation.

Can you mail/email/text me an estimate?

Roofing companies typically provide this option as a way for prospective customers to compare prices with their competition. However, if a roofing contractor answers this question for you without looking at your roofing first, do not work with that company. A contractor can only give you a true estimate after they have reviewed any damage on or around your roof and after you’ve discussed materials to be used.

What will the cost per square foot be for this roofing repair or replacement?

This shouldn’t be an estimated figure. Just like with the overall estimate, the roofing contractor should look at your roof before giving you a price. Any roofing company that gives you a smaller price when you first ask will likely skimp on necessary materials, methods or repairs to stay within the budget they originally stated. By the time you notice what they did or didn’t do to your roof and attempt to file a warranty claim, the company might be bankrupt or no longer exist.

Can I get a layover instead of a full-on roof replacement?

The answer to this question should always be “no.” A layover is essentially a band-aid for your roof. Any current or potential issues with your roof will still be there. Worse, they could ruin the new layover shingles as well, resulting in you still having to get the full-on roof replacement. Additionally, a layover adds a lot of extra weight to your roof (up to 6,000 pounds on average). Any pooling of water or snow could cause your double-layer roof to be sunken in. A good, educated roofing contractor already knows this information, and they would tell you this after refusing to agree to give your roof something that is only a temporary cosmetic fix. A scammy, not-so-educated roofing contractor will tell you yes and take your money.

Does your roof estimator need to do an attic inspection?

The answer is “absolutely.” A roofing contractor cannot give you an accurate estimate without seeing the inside of your attic to examine any externally unseen damage and decay. Even if you don’t have an attic, the contractor will still need to see your ceilings inside to see if there is are any signs of cracks, stains, and other potential roof damage. The roofing contractor who only examines the outside of your roof is either uneducated or only in it for the money—or both.

You will never have to worry about low-quality roofing with Caldwell Roofing. We can answer all of the above questions for your honestly—and more. If you’re in or near the Boca Raton area and need a roof repair or replacement, please contact Caldwell Roofing to set up an appointment. You can visit our Contact page to submit your questions and concerns, or call us at 561-609-1095.