subject: How To Find The Best Roofing Contractor For Your Needs [print this page] Having to repair a roof is a big undertakingHaving to repair a roof is a big undertaking. Whether your home got damaged by a natural disaster, just needs to be fixed after years of wear and tear, or youre adding a brand new addition to your home, garage, or shed, doing it yourself is rarely advisable. Hiring a good roofing contractor is the way to go instead. They are the expert, and will know how to get things done the right way, whether your roof is made of shingles, zinc, or some other type of material. You need to ensure that you get an experienced and well-qualified contractor, and finding one may seem like a daunting task, but its easier than you think.
Depending on where you live, finding this good contractor could be either easier or harder. Some areas only have a few qualified contractors, and others have many. Checking online to find the ones in your area is usually the easiest way. You can even compare them when youre online, and have them give you an estimate on the web, too. Of course, if youd prefer, you can also interview the contractor over the phone. Another option that many roofing contractors give you involves coming out for a free estimate. Letting them eyeball the damage will give them a more complete view of the problem, allowing them to give you a more accurate estimate, and most companies will do this for free.
Making sure that your roofing contractor is appropriately licensed is critical. Licensing varies from state to state quite a bit. Some states in America require more requirements, some require less. Contractors that work in several states usually have additional licensing and certificates from each state. And some jobs dont require any form of additional licensing, just the general certification for a contractor. Canada does things slightly differently and is more nationalized, as a contractor is usually allowed to work in any province regardless of where he or she was originally certified.
Because of this, its important to check out whats required in your area, and whether or not the contractor has the correct licensing and certification. If they dont need any form of roofing certificate in your state, just make sure that they are experienced and actually have a license to operate a business. This can go a long way to weeding out the bad apples. Once youve found a good contractor, make sure you have all their information. Save their website and business card so you can contact them whenever theyre needed or you have a problem. Plus, your friends and neighbors will probably appreciate the referral of a qualified professional when their own roofs need repair!
