Roofing is an expensive home improvement project that you want to do right you will want to make sure that you choose the right contractor roofing company in portland.
You should ask potential contractors about their work process and how they ensure quality. Also, look for insurance and a warranty on their work.
1. Reputation
Getting the word out about your roofing company is essential for growth. You may want to consider hiring a marketing expert or finding a local small business mentor for advice on how to get started.
Ask friends, family, and co-workers about their experiences with a particular roofing company. They can provide valuable information about the quality of the work and whether the contractor was able to complete the job in a timely manner.
Insurance is a must for any roofing company. It protects the company against damage to property, personal injury and lawsuits. Make sure the roofing company has general liability, workers’ compensation, and vehicle insurance before hiring them for a project. This will give you peace of mind knowing that your home is in good hands.
2. Experience
There is no denying that roofing companies can vary widely in experience the industry often perpetuates the idea that countless roofers are out to take advantage of consumers and while scammers do exist it is important to always do your homework. You can usually tell how experienced a roofing company is by looking at their online reviews. Do they have a lot of positive feedback? Do they have multiple online sites that Google recognizes?
Getting into the roofing business requires more than just a passion for the trade. It also requires an understanding of how to balance direct and indirect costs to make sure your project is profitable. This is why many new roofers choose to have a freelance bookkeeper help them set up their financials.
3. Insurance
When choosing a roofing company, look for one that offers comprehensive insurance coverage. This includes workers’ compensation, general liability, business interruption and more. This is important because it sells professionalism and ensures homeowners and employees are protected.
Workers’ comp protects the company in the event an employee is injured on the job. It will cover lost wages and medical costs. Additionally, it will provide disability benefits if an employee is unable to work for an extended period of time due to an injury.
Business owners policy (BOP) is a staple for most businesses. It covers the cost of legal defense and other expenses if a customer or general contractor claims your business is responsible for an accident, injury or incident. Inland marine insurance is also a consideration for roofing businesses that need to ship their equipment and tools to each jobsite on a regular basis.
4. License
Starting a roofing business takes more than gumption to climb a ladder and start hammering nails. Depending on the rules of your city, state or province, you may have to obtain a contracting license.
Insurance is another important piece of the puzzle. It protects customers, employees and the company from damage to life or property, lawsuits and other unexpected risks.
Look for a roofing contractor with general liability and workers’ compensation coverage these policies will help cover unforeseen accidents and expenses that may arise from the work being done on your home. You should also ask about their safety training and procedures, especially those related to on-site job safety.
This is an important indicator that they take the work seriously and are committed to providing safe and high-quality work.
5. Customer Service
The roofing company customer service is another important consideration for homeowners. The company should always be friendly, courteous and professional.
Even if the company receives a bad review, it’s important that they respond to that review and learn from their mistake. A good response can turn a negative review into a positive one, and it shows that the company cares about their reputation and wants to fix the issue.
Homeowners should also look for a roofing company that provides them with a written estimate upfront. This will help them know when to expect the crew and avoid any surprises down the road. Additionally, the company should communicate with customers throughout the process and keep them updated on any delays or problems. This is especially true if the roof is under warranty as the customer will want to know if the manufacturer has issued any recalls.
6. Pricing
A roofer’s pricing schedule can vary based on numerous factors. However, the quality of materials used and the type of roofing job (repair or replacement) will have a major impact on the cost.
A good roofing company will work to stay within the budget while using high-quality materials. The cost of these materials may be slightly higher than those bought at a home improvement store, but they will last longer and will save homeowners the cost of future repairs.
The best roofing companies will check in with customers shortly after the project is finished and ask for feedback. They will also provide a warranty. Many review platforms penalize businesses that buy customer reviews or try to manipulate their online reputation in other ways. This can have long-term negative effects on a roofing company’s reputation.
7. Warranty
There was a time when roofing contractors were notorious for their lousy service, but thanks to competition, a renewed professionalism in the industry, and a better economy, most roofers have dedicated maintenance departments that fix leaks, make repairs, and conduct annual inspections. Look for a company that offers both a manufacturer warranty and its own workmanship guarantee.
A manufacturers warranty typically requires that homeowners register and activate it within a specific window of time or the coverage is null and void. It may also impose requirements on contractors or specify that only certain contractors can perform work on the roof.
Some warranties are pro-rated and some only provide limited funds for replacements, oftentimes only the original cost of the roof. Look for a manufacturer warranty with a non-prorated period and find out what the transfer policy is when you sell your home in the future.