Hiring a roofer is not going to be a straightforward process. Since the installation is going to be expensive, you want to make sure you’re working with an experienced roofing contractor. Just like any other industry, you can expect both good and bad contractors. The roofing industry is notorious for having some of the worst contractors. You can check out the Better Business Bureau to see the thousands of complaints about roofing companies. You can save yourself by looking for reliable roofing companies such as Apal Roofing in Raleigh, NC. Here are some of the red flags you should be looking out for when dealing with a roofing contractor.
Cash Only
You should be wary of a roofing contractor with a cash-only policy. This means it will be hard to trace the money or the person should you decide to work with them. It is important that you’re having the payment conversation upfront before the project begins. There are different ways that the payment can be made but cash shouldn’t be mandatory. There are several reasons why a contractor will want to be paid in cash and most of them are never good. You should also never agree to pay in full upfront. The contractor might end up running away even before the commencement of the project. A good roofing contractor will never be paid in full upfront and in cash.Communication
You can know you’re dealing with a shoddy contractor when the communication is not clear. Roofing installation is a massive undertaking. That is why it is important to know what is happening at every stage of the process. The contractor should be able to answer your questions and concerns in a timely fashion. You can gauge the responsiveness of the contractor when you first reach out to them. Once you’ve reached out to them, you will want everything to be explained in detail before you can make a decision.There are contractors who will call you every minute to pressure you into making a decision. Such a contractor is likely to be interested in the money and will not be concerned about the quality of service. Make sure you’re holding your ground and only move according to your plan. A good contractor should be patient and will wait for you to reach out when ready.
No License
Don’t listen to a contractor who claims that they don't need a license to operate. Most states will require that a roofing contractor is properly licensed. A contractor that is not licensed might also not be having legal business in the first place. Such a contractor is likely to vanish after you’ve paid the deposit for the project. Demand to see their license before you can discuss other things involving the project.
Not Having Insurance
Having insurance is mandatory for a contractor working in your home. Given the nature of the job, there is a likelihood there could be injuries. You don’t want to be liable. The roofing company should have both worker’s compensation and liability insurance. Worker’s compensation will take care of any injuries while the contractors are working on your roof. Liability insurance is for any damage to your property.Not Having a Physical Location
This is one of the biggest red flags that should be a cause of concern. You will not know where to go or follow up in case you have an issue with the roofing contractor. Such a contractor is likely to ask for cash only as a form of payment. Make sure you’re working with a contractor from your locality who has a physical address and you can walk in case of a problem. Such a company will have already established a reputation in the local community and will not want to do anything to ruin it.No Portfolio
One of the ways you can gauge the experience of the roofing contractor is by looking at their past work. A contractor without a portfolio is a red flag. Even if they’re just starting out, you don’t want to be their first customer. Make sure that the company can provide a portfolio of their previous work. They should also have contact details of the past clients so that you can easily reach out to them.To sum it up, the above mentioned red flags will help you separate the grain from the chaff. Make sure there is a written and binding contract before the work begins.
