Your home is such an important part of your life as it houses not just the things you own, but also the people you care about most. Naturally, you need to update and repair the various parts of your home regularly to maintain a safe and happy place to live. Here are some tips on finding the right contractor to repair the roof of your home.
Reviews and Better Business Bureau
Most legitimate companies will have a profile on bbb.org. This is a great place to start when researching for quality contractors. Beyond The Better Business Bureau, any reputable individual will have multiple reviews on line commenting on their work quality and professionalism. Online reviews have quickly become the life blood of running a business in our google-centric society, so a lack of online activity should give you pause. To be clear, it is nearly impossible to have only 5 star reviews or only glowing comments. Accidents happen, and some people are impossible to please. But the mere presence of an online following helps to legitimize a contractor.
Insurance
A legitimate professional should have worker’s compensation and liability insurance. If there is no insurance on the part of the contractor to cover his or her service, you could be held liable for any incidents that happen on your property that might cause damage or injury to the workers. Double check that their claim to having insurance is legitimate for your peace of mind.
Avoiding Scams
Unfortunately, roofing gypsies are the most common form of home improvement shysters running around. These individuals will knock on your door and inform you that they had been hired by someone else in the neighborhood, or even the city, to repair something and that they have extra supplies left over to repair an issue that you might have. Often times, they will ask for all of the money upfront, or a lot of it, and then they will take off without finishing the work or even beginning it. Typically, they will try and talk fast and make you feel like it is a now or never deal. If you have this feeling from one of these door to door individuals, it’s best to just go ahead and choose never.
Be especially aware of this tactic after a large scale storm when entire neighborhoods are reaching out to roofers and repairmen. It is very easy for one these types of shysters to sneak in right at your greatest need for help. Take the time to do some research, read over a contract thoroughly, and feel good about the money you are spending on a job.
Communication
You do not have to hire the first contractor you speak with. In fact, it is recommended that you interview and meet with a couple before making a decision. Talk with the individual that is going to be working on your property and get a feel for them. Ask your San Antonio roofing company questions about their scope of work, history in the field, and for client recommendations, and then actually call some of those references. You have the right to feel comfortable with the person that is going to be working for you, and communication is the best way to start this process.