How To Hire A Good Roofing Contractor

Unfortunately, we've all heard horror stories about hiring roofing specialists, everything from overcharging to doing shoddy work that only worsens the problem. There are lots of great professionals out there, but the few jerks give the whole industry a bad name. Here are some tips to help you hire the right roofing contractor.

- Go With Somebody Local. There are a couple of reasons why you want to have a local company do it. For one thing, it's nice to give your money to local businesses. On the other hand, you want somebody who's settled in the area you live to do any kind of contractor work. This way, they can't disappear if there's a problem

- Go With Referrals. If possible, ask a neighbor for the name and number of the folks who did their fantastic roofs. If you go with a referral, you know that the company you're hiring does good work (you've seen it firsthand!), and you also know they're trustworthy.

- Check With The Chamber Of Commerce. A good way to find reputable local companies is to ask your chamber of commerce. They'll have lots of choose from, and this will give you a good list to start with.

- Make A Big List And Narrow It Down. Make a list of possible contractors, and then start narrowing it down. Call them and ask for estimates, and start crossing companies off your list. Pick the best three, and have them come out to give you an estimate. These 3 will be the ones you'll interview for the job.

- Look For Licensing. During your interview, always check their licensing and insurance policies. Everything should be in order, and they shouldn't be hesitant at all to give you all the information you want. If they're sketchy about anything, tell them thank you and have a nice day.

- Call References. Although it seems like a hassle, always ask for references and follow up on them. Contractors who do good work, and know they do good work, will always have a list of references ready. These people will tell you in detail how the job went, and this will help you decide if you want to hire them.

- Dig For Dirt. Always check the Better Business Bureau to see if there has ever been a complaint lodged against them. Also, look up the name of their company in an internet search engine. Sometimes you can find valuable information that'll make or break a candidate - either good news or bad.

Finally, remember that you're looking for a professional who'll get your job done right, but you also need somebody who's easy to talk to. Make sure you can communicate with your roofing contractor and everything will go as smoothly as possible.