Hiring a trusted roofer

Don’t choose a bid based on low price. It is seldom, if ever that the lowest price proves to be the best value. The costs of operating a legitimate business, paying taxes, and “playing by the rules” is similar for established and proven contractors. Materials and labor costs are generally similar in established industries.

Dramatic differences between contractor bids usually result from one or a combination of the following:

• Inaccurate measuring or evaluation of the scope of work (error)
• A difference in the actual work being provided (materials, methodology, etc.)
• Not providing for a fair and reasonable profit on the project. (This is important to the sustainability of the company you may hire. The number one reason contractors go out of business is because they don’t charge the correct price to accurately cover their operating costs. This can translate into the customer being left stuck.

Always allow bidders the ability to explain their proposals. This will help to identify differences between bids. The consumer will generally then receive the best value for investment based on making an educated decision.

Check with the Better Business Bureau and read any complaints that have been lodged and what the outcomes were.

Ask for the scheduled start date and estimated end date, and what the contractor will do to protect your property during the demolition and reconstruction phases of your project.

Always check who will be doing your roof. Some contracting companies use sub-contractors as well as “ in-house” crews. As a homeowner, you have a right to know what qualifications and training they have and if they meet the exact criteria and expectations you had when contacting the parent company.

In the event of a workplace accident, you need to be sure that the company has all of the proper liability coverage and that their Workers Compensation Account is up to date and currently active. Ask for a copy of the companies certificate of insurance and you as a homeowner have the right to pull a WCB Clearance on the company.

All Contractors are required to adhere to and follow the Occupational Health and Safety Act Code and Regulations while performing their duties, and to develop a proper health and safety manual for all of their employee’s regardless of them being subcontractors or in-house crews. Ask to see the manual.

Once all information is gathered and you have completed all of your research and homework, had a chance to review the potential contractors’ information and references, take a day or two to let it all sit in. Make sure that any questions that may not have popped up while we were out on site during the free estimate have been jotted down.

We are a phone a call away, we will be happy to assist in any way that we can!