What You Need to Know About Roofers, Roofing Contractors, and Roofing Companies
Roofers, roofing contractors, and roofing companies are similar in that they all focused on the care of your roof, but they differ in certain ways.
Roofers
A roofer is someone who handles roof construction and repair. Roofers can inspect the roof for damage and provide repair estimates. They can also help facilitate more complex tasks, such as roof installation and renovation.
The term roofer is somewhat vague, and it doesn't directly speak to an individual's qualifications. If hiring someone who identifies as a roofer, it's important to get additional details regarding the person's background. Some roofers are licensed roofing contractors who focus solely on the care and repair of roofing. Others are general contractors who occasionally tackle a roofing job. A roofer can be licensed or unlicensed, and a roofer can work individually or as part of a crew. Some roofers might handle all jobs themselves, and others may task subcontractors with getting the work done.
Choose a roofer who is properly licensed. Licensing is important, because it offers some guarantee that the roofer you have hired has the basic skills required to produce satisfactory work. To become licensed, a roofer has to demonstrate competence in areas such as roofing materials and installation techniques. A licensed roofer will also be knowledgeable regarding local and regional codes that impact roofing.
Request a copy of the roofer's contractor's license, and be sure to get the name, phone number, and mailing of address of the individual's business. You'll need this contact information to need to follow up on work that has been performed.
Select a roofer who is bonded and insured, since this will protect you from financial liability if there an accident or injury on the job.
Request proof of insurance and bonding. A reputable roofer will also be willing to provide references, and contacting these references will provide the insight to evaluate the quality of the roofer's work.
Experience can make a big difference in the quality of work provided. Some roofers spend most of their time tackling other contracting tasks, and work on roofs on a very sporadic basis. It's best to hire a roofer who has a long history of regularly working on roofs.
Roofing Contractors
A roofing contractor is a licensed professional who provides services related to roof repair, maintenance, and installation, and they can assist with renovations and upgrades involving your property's roof. Most roofing contractors handle all jobs themselves, but there are some who use subcontractors.
Roofing professionals who describe themselves as roofing contractors are typically licensed. Still, it's a good idea for the roofing contractor to provide proof of current licensing. This will ensure that the contractor has the skill set to deliver satisfactory work. It's also wise to choose a roofing contractor who can provide proof of being bonded and insured, since this will offer protection you there's a mishap on the job .
Some roofing contractors work alone, while others work with a crew. Get clarification as to how many people will be working on the roof, since this can impact the time it takes to complete the task. Having more than one person working on a roof repair or installation tends to shorten the time required to complete the task. If more than one person will be working on the roof, it's wise to request information regarding the background and qualifications of all parties involved.
Roofing Companies
Roofing companies are specialists, and they tend to focus primarily on the care, upkeep, and installation of roofs.With a roofing company, a project will most likely be handled by a team consisting of licensed roofing contractors. Many roofing companies perform background checks on their employees. When choosing a roofing company, ask if the company takes steps to screen its workers.
With roofing companies, work performed is often backed by outstanding warranties. This is a factor to keep in mind when hiring a roofing professional.
Request the same proof of licensing, bonding, and insurance from a roofing company as you would from a roofer or roofing contractor. It's easy for a company to misrepresent itself, and having proof of these important qualifications will give the peace of mind that comes with knowing the roof is in capable hands. Request references from a roofing company, and follow up on them. It's also wise to check with the local branch of the Better Business Bureau to research a roofing company's standing.
Whether you hire a roofer, roofing contractor, or roofing company, it's essential to get a written description beforehand of all work to be performed. Make sure that this description includes the quality of materials used. This written contract should also include pricing for both labor and materials.
Benefits of Hiring a Roofer, Roofing Contractor or Roofing Company
Even though you may be able to tackle some roofing problems yourself, it often makes more sense to hire a seasoned roofing professional to handle the task. These experts have access to the highest quality roofing materials, and they can achieve savings by purchasing in bulk. They can save time by handling roof repair or installation faster than you could. Also, working on a roof can be dangerous, and this task leads to many fatal falls each year. A qualified roofer, roofing contractor, or roofing company has the experience to do this work safely.