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Finding a roofing contractor should be taken as seriously as
searching for your family physician. The roof of your house protects the entire
structure and everything inside. Finding, choosing, and hiring a roofing
contractor should done with proper planning and care. Following a few simple
steps, you will be on the right track to finding a roofing contractor that fits
your needs.

Step One: Research

Finding a roofing contractor should be taken as seriously as
searching for your family physician. The roof of your house protects the entire
structure and everything inside. Finding, choosing, and hiring a roofing
contractor should done with proper planning and care. Following a few simple
steps, you will be on the right track to finding a roofing contractor that fits
your needs.

Step One: Research

• Do
  your research! You will want to get estimates from reputable roofing
  contractors before choosing the roofing company that’s right for the job.

• Talk
  to each contractor and check credentials. All roofing companies in Oregon
  are required by law to be licensed with the Construction Contractor Board.
  There are many other certifications and trainings with various roofing
  materials that can make a roofing contractor stand out such as, PVC and Torchdown
  installations.

• Check
  consumer reviews. A few places to start would be the Better Business
  Bureau, Angie’s List, Google Reviews, and customer testimonials.

• Know
  the reputation of the company before selecting them. They should have a
  permanent address, a fixed telephone number, and have been around for a
  number of years or better yet, decades. Reputable contractors should be
  more than willing to provide you with at least 3 references verifying that
  they do good work.

• Find
  out about their insurance policies and if they carry worker’s
  compensation. It is very important to know that the roofing company you choose
  is covered and you as the homeowner will not be held liable.

Step Two: Choosing

• Be
  leery of estimates that come in really low. If the offer is too good to be
  true, it probably is.

• Trust
  your instincts. Know the background of the contractor that you are hiring
  and make sure that they are willing to take the time to explain your
  contract thoroughly.

• Don’t
  hesitate to ask lots of questions. The people that you choose to work with
  should have no problem answering all the questions that you may have.

• Be
  sure to choose a reputable and reliable contractor. This should be easy if
  you have done your research.

• Think
  about longevity. All materials and workmanship should be guaranteed for at
  least 5 years, and the roofing itself ought to come with a 20-to 40- year
  warranty.

Step Three: Know your
Contract

• Everything
  should be in writing! Proposals that are detailed and broken down into
  separate line items are a good sign that the contractor is being thorough
  and has prepared an accurate estimate.

• Go
  over your proposal line by line. Know what is expected of you and your
  roofing company.

• Here
  are a few things to look for in an estimate or proposal:
  1. The
     type of roof covering, its color and manufacturer
  2. Materials
     to be included in the work
  3. Scope
     of work to be done
  4. Responsibility
     for repairs/replacement of exterior landscape or interior finishes that
     are damaged.
  5. Installation
     method
  6. Starting
     and completion dates
  7. Payment
     Procedures
  8. Length
     of warranty and what is covered
  9. Responsibility
     of hauling away the old roofing materials or waste
  10. Cancellation
      and refund policies

• Never
  pay the full price up front. A deposit is acceptable but you should
  consider paying no more than what you’re comfortable with.

Step Four: Rest
Assured

By following the above steps you will know exactly what to
expect when your roof is under construction. If you have done your research,
you know that choosing the right contractor for you can be a successful
process. Additionally, you will have trust in your contract that what is in
writing is what will be put into action. If you have a positive experience, the
best thing you can do for the roofing company you chose is to give them a good
recommendation with The Better Business Bureau, Angie’s List or Google Reviews.