Don’t Hire Just Any Northern VA Roofing Contractor. Hire the Best.
You may have heard, but you may not have heard… Police in Tennessee are still searching for a man accused of scamming an elderly woman out of $1200 — how? Reports indicate that the man contacted this woman, posing as an employee of a local roofing company; accepted, and cashed her check; and then disappeared without any intention of performing the roof repairs that had been discussed.
Can you even believe it? Believe it, because it happened.
Stories like this are why it’s so important to ask the right questions, and to:
Know who you’re hiring when you hire a northern VA roofer.
A new roof for your home is a huge investment; hiring the wrong contractor (or someone who’s not a contractor at all) could result in shoddy workmanship, leading to leaks and even more costly repairs in the future. Know what to ask, and soon you’ll know who to hire.
What is the name of your company, and your physical address?
This question seems a bit like a no brainer, but remember our friend in Tennessee? Had she thought to ask these questions, the red flag could have been raised, and she could have saved herself a great deal of money.
Do you have insurance?
A roofing contractor worth their salt will carry Worker’s Compensation and liability insurance to protect the homeowner (and also themselves) in the event of an accident. Without such policies, the homeowner could be held responsible for medical bills and other associated costs incurred in the event of an accident.
Do you have a license?
The Commonwealth of Virginia requires that all roofing contractors carry the appropriate license. Not only should you ask this questions of any roofer you are considering for hire, you should also check with your local licensing office to ensure his paperwork is up to date and that there are no outstanding violations.
Are the roofing materials, and your work covered under warranty?
As a general rule, more roofers offer a warranty lasting a year, but some roofers offer longer warranties. Ask how long your roofing contractor guarantees its work. The manufacturer usually covers the materials, and the roofer covers the work. These are two separate warranties, so ask the roofer what is covered under each warranty and the length of each.
Can you provide homeowner references?
References the best tool of all, and will provide an unbiased account of the roofing contractor’s quality of work and service. You can ask for direct points of contact, but Google reviews can also prove quite handy — as you’re like to get a slice of the satisfied, and a bit of the not so satisfied too.
