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How to Choose a Contractor - 5 Easy Steps to Getting Good Roofing Work Steps 1 & 2 InspectAPedia®  -     How to find & choose a roofing contractor for new or replacement roofing How to choose a roofing material or shingle How to negotiate the roofing contract How to get a good roofing job

This article provides a simple, step-by-step guide designed to help you find the roofing contractor who's right for you. When you need to repair your roof or replace roof coverings on a building, this article gives advice to assist in choosing a roofing contractor - by Jessie Srader, with edits and additions by DJF. Whatever your roofing repair or replacement needs, you need a qualified professional roofing contractor you can trust.

This means finding a roofing contractor who knows good roofing practices, roof flashing details, how to handle problem spots on building roofs, and alternative roof covering products: shingle types, grades, colors, low slope roofing, flat roofing materials, etc. A competent roofer will provide you with sound advice on products, reasonable explanation of procedures, and, most important-solid results - no leaks, and a durable roof. It's difficult to determine the capabilities and reliability of a contractor.

Readers should also see How to Get the Best Roofing Job for a simple basic outline of the key ingredients to a good roofing job and a long lasting roof. Also see ROOFING INSPECTION & REPAIR. Our photo (page top) shows lost shingles from an asphalt shingle roof - possibly due to improper nailing.

© Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

STEP 1: FINDING A ROOFER - Beginning a search for a roofing contractor

Any Home Improvement is a complex combination of elements, the success of which depends on the quality of materials, installation and over-all construction.

There are many ways to start your search for the contractor who meets your individual needs. Referrals are obviously the best source for names of credible companies. Ask friends and family members who they have used in the past.

Contact your local Chamber of Commerce about contractors who are active in the community. The Better Business Bureau, state and local licensing authorities, local trade associations and your local yellow page directory are also excellent sources of information. As well as local suppliers of building products.

STEP 2: CHOOSING A ROOFER - Meeting and evaluating Potential Roofing Contractors

After you have compiled a list of possible contractors, take time to evaluate each one carefully. A professional contractor will be happy to provide any information you may require.

Many homeowners have been mystified by the seeming lack of interest and response from the contractors they call. To get a contractor to respond to your call, tell him you are shopping around, but are only interviewing three contractors, not ten.

A contractor is shopping for good jobs that will make a fair profit and bring future referrals . Many contractors have had experiences with unreasonable or dishonest homeowners. Therefore, they look for warning signs of customer problems during the initial job interview.

Set up a meeting to discuss your needs and their qualifications, and be sure to pay close attention to the attitude of the company representative. Good contractors take pride in their work and will be enthusiastic about the possibility of helping you with your problems. If you feel confident that the contractor is truly interested in your project, ask for the company's vital statistics-specific business information which will help you make your final decision.

• Business Name and Address: A good, professional contractor will provide the telephone number. These are essential when checking on the company's previous business dealings.
• Experience: The training and experience of a contractor, as well as the age of his or her company, will help you determine their ability to successfully complete your project.
• Licensing/Bonding: Some states require special licensing for contractors.
• Ask for business license numbers and information on the company which bonds the contractor. Then check with local authorities to see that the company compiles with regulations.
• Insurance Coverage: A contractor should carry worker's compensation and general liability insurance. Request the name and address of the insurance carrier, along with a copy of the company's insurance certificate. Beware of low bids which are a result of incomplete insurance coverage and workman's compensation.
• Professional References: Your contractor's past can help determine your future.
• Ask for credit references, banking information and a list of completed projects including the names and telephone numbers of previous clients.
• Company Philosophy: Discuss application techniques and workmanship guarantees.
• Does the contractor stand behind his work ?

This article continues with steps 3, 4, and 5 that you can read using links just below.

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Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

ROOFING INSPECTION & REPAIR
CERTIFICATIONS for ROOFING CONTRACTORS
  Questions and Answers about GAF Master Elite
  Anecdote of a "Bad" Roofing Contractor
  The GAF Master Elite^TM roofing program
  How to Get the Best Roofing Job
CHOOSING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR
  STEP 1: FINDING A ROOFER
  STEP 2: CHOOSING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR
  STEP 3: CHOOSING ROOF MATERIAL
  STEP 4: NEGOTIATE ROOFING CONTRACT
  STEP 5: LETTING THE ROOFER ROOF
ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOFING
ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES
CHIMNEY INSPECTION & REPAIRS
FIRE RETARDANT PLYWOOD
ROOF INSPECTION SAFETY & LIMITS
ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS
ROOF VENTING ENERGY SAVING DETAILS
SLATE ROOF INSPECTION & REPAIR
SOD ROOFING
SIDING WOOD
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Building Exteriors
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Roofs
STANDARDS for ROOFING
STONE ROOFING
THATCH ROOFING
THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS
THERMAL MASS in BUILDINGS
THERMAL MASS in UPSTAIRS
TILE ROOFING
WARRANTIES for ROOF SHINGLES
  CLASS ACTION SHINGLE LAWSUITS
  REPORTING SHINGLE FAILURES
  ROOF FAILURE REPORT FORM
WORKMANSHIP & WIND DAMAGE

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• Fiberglass Asphalt Shingle Failures Information and Claims GAF & Other Shingle Failures Website; Thermal Splitting of Asphalt Shingles & other shingle failures
• Fire Retardant Treated FRT Plywood Failures inspection, detection, testing of defective FRT plywood roof sheathing
• Slate Roofs: How to Inspect and Repair Slate Roofs - Detailed Procedures for Inspection and Repair of Slate Roofs - ASHI Technical Journal, 1991, Updated 2006
• Slate Roofs: Inspecting and Evaluating Slate Roofs Hudson Valley ASHI seminar content



• Roofing our links to roofing practices, other roofing product failures such as American Cemwood roof failures, failures in Masonite OmniWood Siding and Masonite Woodruf Roofing

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