Good communication is one of the key factors that can make or break your roofing project – asking the right questions before and during reroofing not only helps you make informed decisions but ensures a high standard of work while protecting your investment in your home. On that note, let’s take a look at the top 20 questions to ask your roofing contractor to help you get the best out of your new roof.
1. What Is Your Physical Address And Full Company Name?
Lack of information about a company on their website, such as a physical address, is a cause for concern. Always ask for the company’s physical location before committing to anything – if the roofing company doesn’t have a physical location or is reluctant to provide this information, do not engage with them any further. As an added step, also ask for their full company name (sometimes businesses have a trading name and a company name). A quick Google search of the company name and address should bring up a digital presence on social media and local business directories like the Yellow Pages, Neighbourly and Finda. You could also look out for reviews on Google and even check the details on websites like the NZ Companies Register.
2. What Types Of Insurance Do You Have, And What Exactly Do They Cover?
Who is responsible for the cost of damage incurred during the installation process? One of the most important questions to ask your roofer is whether they are insured. Insurance is important because it means you are covered for any accidents or damages that may occur during the project, but it is also to protect you if an employee of the company has an accident while working on your roof. These items are essential for peace of mind both financially and operationally, as well as ensuring the safety of those concerned. Some general ones are Liability Insurance (Public and Statutory), Business interruption insurance, and Contract Works Insurance.
3. Can You Provide Recent References?
Requesting references from previous clients is the best way to get an idea of the contractor’s quality of work and reputation within the community. A reputable roofing contractor will be more than willing to share references and examples of previous work. You should be able to contact at least some of these references to inquire about their personal experiences with the contractor. Before and after pictures of previous projects are a great help on this one too.
4. What Past Experience Do You Have With Similar Projects?
Within the construction industry, experience matters more than anything else. Roofing projects are often complicated tasks that require a good degree of prior knowledge that can only be gained from experience. Asking the contractor about their experience with similar roofing projects (in scale and scope) and what type of roofing products they usually install is a good way to determine if they are going to have the skills to complete your project to a high standard. Before and after pictures of previous projects are also a big help on this one, as pictures can help you get a sense of the kind of work the roofer does. Any reputable roofing company should be happy to share details and/or pictures of past projects.
5. Do You Dispose Of The Old Roofing Materials, And How?
Always ask if they will remove and dispose of the old roof. Some roofing contractors try to save money by installing new roofing over the existing roof. However, this is not usually considered best practice as you don’t get to see if there is any damage to the structure of the roof, such as rot or other faults. If this damage is left undiscovered, you may have bigger and more expensive problems in the future. You should also check how they will dispose of the old roof and any construction debris, more specifically, whose responsibility this is (it is likely this service will cost extra).
6. What Is The Expected Timeline For The Project?
Understanding how long the project is expected to take, along with the availability of the contractors is crucial for planning and coordinating your reroofing project. Don’t be afraid to ask for detailed information including the intended start and completion dates, as well as any delay policies and procedures (uncontrollable delays caused due to unforeseen material delays, extreme weather or other events). All reliable roofers should be able to give you a reasonably specific timeline for the project schedule and how long it will take.
7. How Long Have You Been In Business?
This may seem like a trivial question, but it can be a good indication of the success rate of the business. No business is going to survive without any customers, so it makes sense that if they have been around a while, they must be doing something right! Investigating a company’s history is an excellent way to get a good idea of how they operate, whether quality work is provided at a fair price and what types of jobs they have previously worked on.
8. Will You Provide A Written Roof Estimate?
No one likes surprises when it comes time to pay the bill, always ask for a written quote before agreeing to anything and also to check you are comparing like for like when comparing quotes. Some of the things you should expect to see in your roofing quote are labour costs, costs for removing and disposing of the old roof, payment due dates, the size (square metres or area of your roof), a description of the type of roofing materials that will be used on the new roof (including underlay and flashing etc.), approximate timeline/completion date and any warranties or workmanship guarantees.
9. What Type Of Roofing Materials Do You Use?
Your choice of roofing materials can significantly impact the long-term performance of your roof and, therefore directly represent your level of investment. You should always be given choices. Always discuss your options with your roofer, the types of materials the contractor would like to use and their suitability for your specific needs/location, etc. At this point, it pays to be aware of what kinds of products your roofer specialises in as this may influence their advice, for example, some roofers specialise in Colorsteel roofing and some in tile roofing.
10. Do You Offer Warranties/Guarantees?
Warranties and guarantees are great for protection against shoddy workmanship or materials. Asking about the warranties/guarantees your roofing contractor offers is commonplace and should be easily answered. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of these services too. Keep in mind there is a difference between the roofer’s workmanship warranties versus product manufacturer’s warranties for coverage of defective products/materials.
11. Do You Need A Building Consent To Reroof My House?
Any roofer who works in the industry should be well aware of the reroofing regulations in NZ. Generally speaking, if you are replacing your roof in a like-for-like fashion and the original roof is older than 15 years, then you shouldn’t require consent. If the reroofing materials are not the same as the original roof, consent will likely be required. The most common example of this is when replacing an old corrugated iron roof with new concrete or clay tiles (the old roof structure may not be equipped to handle the weight of the new materials). See here for more information on reroofing consent requirements in New Zealand.
12. What Are The Payment Terms?
While it may not seem like a priority, it is always wise to ask about payment terms and conditions. This includes what types of payment they accept, when payments are due, deposit amounts etc. Try to make sure you pay with a transaction traceable method such as credit card as then there is little chance of dispute if the roofer fails to start or complete the work. Cash-only jobs are usually fine if you are paying once the job is completed, as a general rule, never accept any quotes where the roofer demands the entire payment upfront.
13. What’s The Process For A Re-Roofing Job?
Asking your roofer to explain the whole process for re-roofing your house is a great way to get an idea of what you are in for. They should be able to explain in a way that you can understand and answer any questions you might have. This explanation should include a description of all the individual components and how they work together for the best roof performance as well as how they will address any unforeseen issues that may arise when the old roof is removed. It could also include before, after and during pictures.
14. Who Will Be On Site During My Roofing Installation?
This question encompasses everything from project management and supervision through to subcontractors. You want to ask who will be supervising the site works on the daily basis to ensure the project goes smoothly, who’s going to be on the property – eg any subcontractors, how many employees, a project manager? Who should you contact if/when an issue arises, how should you contact them, who is the person in charge overall etc.
15. Do The Roofers Really Need To Come Inside?
Yes – when carrying out an inspection and site visit to prepare your quote, roofers will need to come inside as they need to take a look up in the roof space to check for any signs of water damage such as rot, mould or mildew etc. This is so they can accurately quote for the roof replacement taking into account any repairs that may need to be made to the structural/internal aspects of the roofing system.
16. Do You Have Industry Memberships Or Affiliations?
Does their website mention anything about industry certifications, education standards, health and safety standards or manufacturer associations? Installation methods, industry best practices and regulations are constantly changing, so it helps to ensure your roofer is up to date with all of the latest developments and active within their business community.
17. How Will You Protect My Property During The Roof Replacement?
As contractors, your roofing company should be expected to do everything possible to protect your property during the replacement of the roof. Ask what precautions they take to protect the inside and outside of your home, including your lawn, landscaping, exterior walls, driveway, windows and light fixtures etc. This may include things like tarpaulins, scaffolding, planking etc.
18. What’s Your Clean-Up Process?
Making sure you aren’t left with a huge mess at the end of the process is an important part of any reroofing job. It is perfectly fine to ask your roofing contractor how they intend to clean up during and after your roof replacement and let them know if you have any preferences with regard to the location of skip bins or trailers designated for rubbish. Ensuring there aren’t any stray roofing screws left on the ground can be vital to many homeowners, especially if small children are present.
19. Do You Use Subcontractors?
Some roofing companies may outsource some or all of the work. This can be for various reasons, including lack of current staff members, lack of qualified staff, lack of supervision staff or just a work overload. This is not necessarily a bad thing however, it does mean you aren’t dealing with one company, but two or more, and it pays to be aware of the full situation as this can help avoid issues with standards of quality and communication difficulties. A reputable roofing company should explain to you exactly what tasks they commonly outsource to subcontractors and why.
20. What Is The Best Way To Contact You During This Project?
Communication is the key to the successful completion of any construction project. Ensure you have established a firm communication pathway with the business owner/project manager and office staff in case you have any questions, concerns, or need updates. Knowing how to stay in touch puts everybody on the same page and makes the process faster, smoother and more efficient.
Need a quote or some advice on replacing your roof? Give the team at Action Reroofing – Christchurch’s reroofing specialists a call today!
