Red Flags That You Have Hired the Wrong Roofer

There’s a lot of responsibility involved in putting a roof over someone’s head. Roofs provide us shelter, safety and warmth; so we shouldn’t trust just anyone to provide and install this complex component of a construction project. A good roofing contractor provides not only skilled craftsmanship, but honest, open communication, plus a commitment to get the job done and fix problems as they occur. A bad roofer provides the opposite. Here are some red flags that you’ve hired the wrong kind of contractor.

Expectations Are Not Set

Open communication between the specialist and the client is necessary in any construction project, but especially in a roofing project, which can be costly and complex. A good contractor will spend the necessary time with the client before the project begins to lay out expectations. This could include the site requirements, the materials being used and any safety or environmental concerns with the job site. For example, a barricaded staging area on the ground may be required for the safety of other onsite personnel. When these conversations are rushed – or do not occur at all – unexpected problems and disagreements are bound to come up.

The Company Has Over Charged

A good roofing company will make billing simple for its clients. This means a clear but simple breakdown or schedule of values on any progress billing. And this certainly means not having several unexpected charges on the bill to account for extra materials that were found to be needed after the agreed upon contract amount. It is the roofing specialist’s responsibility to come up with an agreeable contract for the client before the project starts. Those that charge extra for materials that should have been projected in the original quote come off as suspicious. Companies that avoid these charges when possible, even if it means reducing the net profit, at least come off as honest and responsible. If there are unquantifiable conditions (such as deck replacement) at contract time, a responsible contractor will provide a unit cost for additional work and also provide an estimated amount of the work that may occur so that the customer is aware that extra costs may be incurred.

There’s Little Communication During The Project

It’s always a good idea for a foreman to check in with the building owner or other work partners each morning before starting to the roof, to discuss the tasks planned for the day and any accommodations that may be needed. The purpose of this discussion could be as simple as warning occupants to be prepared for some noise or to coordinate barricaded off areas inside a building due to overhead work. If the roofing company you’re working with is not keeping you informed on what’s happening each day or how the project is coming along, it’s simply not respecting you as a customer.

The Company Is Unwilling To Return To The Site

Any roofing company that takes pride in its work will return to a site when called upon by a past client to investigate a problem, such as a leak. But, believe it or not, there are roofing specialists who do not do this. They assume that when the project is complete, their work is done. A good roofing company will offer both a warranty from themselves that suggests it will take responsibility for any work that wasn’t completed to a satisfactory standard in the first place and a warranty from the material manufacturer. This obligation for the contractor helps to ensure the building owner that the roof is being installed properly since the contractor will have to return to fix any problems that develop due to workmanship or material issues. A good contractor will also place a high priority on getting the work done right the first time so the customer has a great experience, regardless of warranty obligations.