What to Look for When Hiring a Roofing
Company in Windsor
When your roof needs repair or replacement, it’s not something you want to leave to the last minute. But just because you need it fixed promptly doesn’t mean you should hire the first contractor you find. Also, oftentimes temporary repairs can be done to protect your home until the roof can be replaced, allowing you more time to make the right decisions. Sometimes these repairs are done for free, with a commitment to replace the complete roof.
When selecting a roofing company, you want to hire one that is reliable, preferably local, and is going to do the job right the first time. Here are some traits in a Windsor roofing company to look out for.
Manufacturer Certification
Manufacturer certification is essentially a badge of honor for home improvement companies. Contractors awarded certification must maintain a specific set of standards, which are approved by their manufacturers.
Roofing manufacturers take their certification programs seriously and you should too. For example, GAF – North America’s largest roofing manufacturer – has a strict acceptance system for companies that are certified to use their products. Their top certification – Master Elite – is only awarded to 2% of roofing contractors in North America.
Certification also allows contractors to offer special enhanced warranty coverage, which is going to protect you in the long run. For example, a Master Elite designation means the customer can get a 25-year “workmanship” warranty and 50-year non-pro-rated coverage against manufacturing defects.
Check Better Business Bureau (BBB) Ratings
The Better Business Bureau is a non-profit organization that assigns rankings to businesses and charities. Their accreditations are a well-regarded stamp of approval and should give you peace of mind knowing that the company you are dealing with is legitimate and works within a framework of high standards.
When a destructive storm comes through your neighborhood, you’d be surprised by just how many roofing companies suddenly pop up. Checking to see if a company is registered with the BBB is an effective method for learning more about a business and its history. It is also helpful to actually visit the business’ office to get a better understanding of how they run their company and respect their space. Even just searching their address on the internet will allow you to see if the company has an actual business establishment or just works from their home.
Positive Local Reviews
Speaking with friends, neighbors, and relatives is an ideal way to find a quality roofing company. Hearing from people you trust will give you honest insight into how a company operates and treats their clients.
Reading online reviews and testimonials is another great way to learn about a company and see what other customers have experienced. There are various websites dedicated to reviews and it is helpful to check these sites out to get a complete picture.
It could also be useful to ask the company if they themselves can put you in contact with recent customers. Even better, see if they will let you actually go and check out recently completely jobs or projects still in the works.
Commitment to Safety and Training
Safety should be a priority on both your mind and your contractor’s. Within the home improvement industry are a number of training and educational programs. The manufacturing company GAF even sponsors a national training program called the Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence.
This particular program has trained over 230,000 professionals in North America. Check with your potential roofing contractor to see if their employees have been trained in programs like these.
Does The Roofing Company Require a Deposit?
Be wary of roofing companies that ask you to put down a deposit. The company you hire should be confident enough in their abilities and have enough financial stability to complete a roofing project without requiring the money upfront for materials.
You should never put down a deposit that is higher than 10% of the total payment for the work. Ideally you should work with a contractor who doesn’t ask for a deposit at all.
Confirm the Company Has Proper Insurance
All employees who work for the company you choose should be insured and the contractor should be able to provide you with proof of insurance (liability and WSIB) upon request. This is extremely important because if employees are not properly insured, there is higher potential for litigation involving the homeowner should something go wrong.
Don’t allow yourself to fall prey to scammers and illegitimate businesses. This is why it’s so important to work with local businesses that are a part of the community with proven track records of success.
What Does the Best Roofing Company Look Like?
Finding the right roofing company can be overwhelming, but that’s why it is so important to do the research. It’s so you can feel confident in your choices as you’ll potentially be living with your decision for decades.
At Gauthier Roofing and Siding, we’ve been servicing the Windsor area for over 50 years. Check out our website to learn more about our company, manufacturer certifications, services, awards and customer reviews!
