No matter what home project you are tackling, it’s always good to be equipped with the best questions possible for your contractor(s). It allows you, the homeowner, to uncover some unknowns and get the most accurate answers and pricing for your projects. Below we’ve included the 18 most valuable questions to ask your roofer. Some questions apply to all contractors no matter what they specialize in.
– 1 –
Are you a licensed roofing contractor?
Answer you want to hear: Yes
– 2 –
Do you have workman’s comp insurance?
Answer you want to hear: Yes
– 3 –
Do you carry general liability insurance?
Answer you want to hear: Yes
– 4 –
How many roofs have you installed in your life?
Answer you want to hear: Hundreds or even thousands. Check out our website for some job pics.
– 5 –
Will you remove my old roof?
Answer you want to hear: Yes
– 6 –
Will you be installing drip edge or edge metal when you install the new roof?
Answer you want to hear: Yes
– 7 –
Will you provide a dumpster or waste container at my house?
Answer you want to hear: Yes
– 8 –
Where will you place the dumpster/container?
Answer you want to hear: Typically, in your lawn close or on the driveway close to a roof edge so we can throw waste directly into without carrying it around your property and risk having nails fall from the debris.
– 9 –
Will you use ladder stabilizers or standoffs to protect my gutters when you install my roof?
Answer you want to hear: Yes. This allows us to not put so much pressure/force on your gutters and gutterguard systems.
– 10 –
What will you do in the case of inclimate weather during the job?
Answer you want to hear: We have tarps that span the entire roof. We will cover the entire roof and nail/weigh the tarp down to the rooftop.
– 11 –
Do you have a local phone number and address?
Answer you want to hear: Yes. Our our office(s) are located in Bensalem, PA and Detroit, MI. Our phone number for that office is 267.332.0197. The information will be on the contract and/or on our website at www.usaroofmasters.com.
– 12 –
What is the warranty on my new roof?
Answer you want to hear: Owens Corning provides a 50-year transferrable warranty. Nothing comes close to this warranty.
– 13 –
What is the cost of plywood should you find rotten roof or soft roof decking?
Answer you want to hear: A dollar amount per plywood sheet.
– 14 –
How will you protect my landscaping during this project?
Answer you want to hear: Placement of equipment in safe places and traffic patterns that avoid your landscaping.
– 15 –
Will someone be on-site that I can be in communication with at all times?
Answer you want to hear: Yes
– 16 –
Do you provide a written estimate?
Answer you want to hear: Yes, all the details about the job, such as roof size, cost of removing existing roof, material, plywood replacement (if necessary) and warranty will be included.
– 17 –
Do you provide samples of the shingles?
Answer you want to hear: Yes, we have those for you to see and help make a decision.
– 18 –
Do you have any software that can show me what a new roof will look like in a certain color with my existing house?
Answer you want to hear: Yes, we have an interactive tool on our website that you can use for free.