Replacing your roof is not something you often do, so finding a good roofing contractor can be a little daunting. How do you know if they will do a good job? Are they qualified? Do they know what they are doing? Replacing your roof is expensive, and it protects your home’s structural integrity, which means it’s essential to get it right – first time.
Getting it right means using quality products that will stand the test of time and professional contractors who know what they are doing. Read on to find out more on how to choose the right roofing contractor.
What Do Roofing Contractors Do?
Roofing contractors in New Zealand offer a range of services; while some may focus on particular types of roof installations, others may focus mainly on repairs and maintenance. Some of the standard roofing services you can expect from a roofing contractor include:
- Roof inspections
- General repairs and maintenance
- Leak and damage repairs
- New roof installation
- Full roof replacements
- Weatherproofing
- Ventilation installation
- Roof cleaning (pressure washing mildew, moss and build-up)
- Sealing, treating or painting
12 Tips For Hiring A Good Roofing Contractor
Now that you know the kinds of services roofing contractors offer, understanding the top 12 things to look for will help you narrow down your search.
1. Always Check The Credentials
Roofing contractors who are involved in the construction or installation of a roof are required by law to be Licensed Building Practitioners (LBP). A Licensed Building Practitioner means they have had to meet specific standard criteria based on their skills and competency within the industry. It also means in order to stay registered; they are required to keep up with the latest industry knowledge. Checking up on these credentials is one of the first things you should do when evaluating a prospective roofing contractor.
2. Ask Around
Unbiased referrals are one of the best ways to find reliable contractors, so ask around friends, co-workers and family. You will want to see examples of their work and verbal references. Always get more than one quote, preferably three! Check these carefully for differences in the services offered and look for differences in the quality of products. More often than not, the cheapest price is not always the best option.
3. Take Note Of The Paperwork
Never sign a contract or employ someone without reading over the fine print. Professional tradespeople won’t mind you taking your time with this, and in fact, will expect you to take the time to understand any agreements or written contracts. They should also be happy to explain anything you don’t understand or refer you to your lawyer if necessary. Now is also the time to make sure you have full contact details for the business, including mobile, landline physical address, and website. Insurance is also a must – make sure the roofing contractor has insurance that covers the work being done on the house, worker’s compensation, and liability insurance. You can even ask to see the certification on these to confirm they are valid.
4. Review Warranty Details
Take note of the warranty details that come with your new or repaired roof. Most roofing materials in NZ will come with their own warranty for the actual materials, but you also want a workmanship warranty from your roofing contractor. For new roofs, this should be at least five years, and the roofing materials are often under 15-20 year manufacturers warranties depending on which material you choose, for example; tiles, long run iron etc.
5. Don’t Pay Upfront
Always discuss terms of payment prior to commencement. Yes, you will have to pay a deposit before any work begins, but you shouldn’t have to pay the total cost until the job is completed. This means you don’t pay until you are satisfied that the job is finished and to the desired standard.
6. Get A Clear Idea Of How Long It’s Going To Take
While it is a given that most jobs will take longer than expected, it is still important to ask how long the job will take. A completion day gives both parties an idea of the commitment that is being made and expected timeframes. No one wants the job to drag on for weeks or months longer than necessary or to be put on the back burner when another job pops up.
7. Make Sure The Basics Are Covered In The Quote
Upon receiving a quote or roof estimate, it helps to know what you are looking at. Understanding the basics will mean you are able to notice if anything has been left out, and you might be in for some unexpected costs further down the track. It also helps when comparing quotes as you are comparing apples with apples instead of oranges! Roofing estimates will vary from company to company, but this will give you an idea of what to expect from a new roof quote.
- Payment Information. This includes payment due dates and accepted payment methods, deposit amount and any payment terms and conditions.
- Approximate Timeline. How long will it take from start to finish.
- Costs. There should be a breakdown of the costs, which should include labour, materials, removing the old roof, dumping fees, and any extra equipment or machinery hire that is necessary to complete the job. The roofing materials should include everything from roof cladding, guttering, flashing, underlays, screws etc.
- Full Description. This one may overlap with the cost breakdown, but you do need to see a full description of the work that is to be carried out. It also pays to check for any differences between quotes.
- Guarantees. Look for a list of guarantees or warranties that are offered – both for materials and workmanship.
8. Ask Lots Of Questions
One of the easiest ways to get a good idea if the tradesperson you are speaking to is, in fact, experienced is to ask lots of questions. They should know their products and services inside out.
Top 10 Questions To Ask A Roofer
- Do you offer a free on-site inspection?
- Will you give me a written roof estimate?
- What types of roofing do you usually install?
- Do you usually work in my town/city? Are you based here?
- What types of insurance do you have, and what exactly do they cover?
- What’s your inclement weather policy?
- Who is responsible for the cost of damage incurred during the installation process?
- Do you dispose of the old roofing materials, and how?
- What happens if there are unexpected issues and unplanned repairs?
- When are you next available to do the job?
9. Choose Local Where Possible
Choosing to work with local businesses has several benefits. They will have an established reputation within the community, they better understand the local conditions and they are much easier to deal with if there are any ongoing issues.
10. Research The Best Materials
While roofing contractors can provide advice and recommendations, doing a little bit of research yourself is not difficult. This will ensure whatever you choose is a quality product that is suited to your house, its location, and environment. Find out what kinds of roofing materials are commonly used in your area by checking out the neighbours on your street, looking up the main contenders like long run roofing iron and tiles for a list of pros and cons, warranties, and lifespans.
11. Price Isn’t Everything
Choosing a contractor based solely on price is never a good idea. You indeed get what you pay for. Often people who go for the lower price will end up spending more money over the long term to fix issues that arise from using cheaper products and materials.
12. Communication Is Key
Do they return your calls? Have you got the answers to your questions? Have they provided the right documentation? Did they follow through? Communication is the key to every successful business; if you aren’t getting what you need now, what will happen once you have signed up and they know you are committed to working with them?
We hope this has helped you better understand what to look for when hiring a roofing contractor. Need more information? Give Action Reroofing a call – we are happy to help!
