Choosing The Right Roofing Contractor

Spring is here and local homeowners know that means potentially severe weather. For anyone who owns a residential property or commercial building, they know the time will eventually come when they will have a need to hire a roofing contractor for roof maintenance, repairs or full replacement. But choosing a roofing contractor is no easy task. The current state of the roofing industry is highly competitive and anyone who is in the process of selecting a roofing contractor, especially after a storm, must know what to look for in terms of state compliance, experience and affiliations. When selecting a qualified roofing contractor, homeowners should take into consideration the following questions:

Does the roofing contractor have liability insurance?

When selecting a roofing contractor, it is extremely important for the property owner to ask if the roofing company has worker’s compensation insurance coverage on all of its employees. Roofing contractors who do so demonstrate excellent business practices. They show a willingness to pay for the protection of their customers, their employees and their company. Consumers should also ask for proof of liability insurance coverage. When getting multiple roofing estimates, a property owner should question a drastically lower bid. It could indicate minimal or even no insurance coverage. Keep in mind that in the State of Texas, roofing contractors are not required to be licensed.

Does the roofing contractor obtain proper permitting from the city in which the job is being done?

When roofing contractors apply for a permit, they demonstrate a willingness to do the work according to state and local building codes in addition to having the in-progress and final work inspected by a representative of the municipality.

Is the roofing contractor compliant with OSHA’s (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) fall protection regulations?

A property owner should ask several safety-related questions before selecting a roofing contractor: Is the contractor 100% compliant with OSHA’s safety standards? Has the roofing contractor been issued any fines by OSHA? Are the roofing installers tied-off on the roof? Is there an on-site safety monitor?

Property owners need to be aware of the possible consequences of hiring a roofing contractor that does not comply with OSHA’s fall protection regulations. If the roofing crew has already been issued a warning by OSHA for not being tied-off and they are cited again, OSHA can issue a stop-work order right in the middle of the roofing job. The crew could be in the middle of re-nailing the plywood deck and if they are not compliant, they could be taken off the roof immediately. The property owner would be left with the headache of having to hire another roofer to complete the job.

How many years has the roofing contractor been in business?

A contractor who has been in business for ten to fifteen years has amassed an incredible amount of experience, knowledge and trustworthiness. The roofing industry is an ever-changing landscape. Building codes, products, installation methods and even warranties can change from one year to the next. A roofing contractor who has been in business for several years knows how important it is to stay abreast of the changes in the industry. Furthermore, because Texas does not require licensing, the state is home to an abundance of underexperienced, storm-chasing roofers.

Does the roofing contractor understand and explain the warranties associated with the roof being installed?

Speaking of warranties, most property owners are not aware that roofing contractors must be trained and certified in product knowledge and installation procedures by roofing material manufacturers to be able to offer the manufacturer’s product warranty. The property owner is taking a risk in terms of future problems if they don’t verify who is liable for roofing product defects or shoddy workmanship. If a roofing contractor tells a potential customer they are going to guarantee the work, then it is very important for the owner to get it in writing on the estimate/contract.

When a property owner is in the process of asking friends, family and neighbors for roofing contractor recommendations, he or she should inquire about the responsiveness of a roofing contractor to a warranty situation. Did the contractor acknowledge the problem as a warranty repair? Did they make sure the property owner was 100% satisfied before they closed the warranty ticket? A workmanship warranty and a manufacturer’s product warranty are the roofing contractor’s way of telling the property owner, “We are here for you if anything goes wrong.”

Is the company trained and certified in whichever roofing system you are interested in installing?

For every type of roofing material from shingle to tile to TPO, a different set of installation instructions exists.

It is not entirely uncommon for a contractor to say he or she can do the job just to get the job. When selecting a roofing contractor, the property owner is advised to visit the manufacturer’s website and look specifically for a link to certified roofing contractors in their area. The roof is 40% of the investment in a building. It is critical that the property owner selects the most qualified roofing contractor who is familiar with the roofing system you wish to have installed.

Does the roofing contractor belong to associations affiliated with their business?

Last on the checklist are the roofing contractor’s affiliations with well-known entities such as Better Business Bureau, Angi, NARI, The Good Contractors List and their local Chamber of Commerce in addition to memberships with various roofing manufacturer and contractor associations. A roofing contractor who is a member of local and national associations is a roofing contractor who has nothing to hide.

Property owners should be prepared to complete a three-step process when selecting a roofing contractor. Step one: do a substantial amount of pre-estimate appointment homework based on the seven-point checklist. Step two: call the roofing contractor, ask questions and set an estimate appointment. Step three: confirm that the contractor has a physical office location and office staff. Many a deal has been sealed once the property owner has peace of mind knowing they have done their due diligence and have selected the most qualified and most trustworthy roofing contractor for their roofing project.

Homeowners Must Pay Full Deductible

As of September 2019, homeowners are now required to pay their full roof replacement deductible. Under Texas House Bill 2102, roofing contractors who offer to waive a homeowner’s deductible on their property insurance policy could face jail time. HB 2102 requires roofers to include boldfaced language in their contracts stating that homeowners must pay the deductible under their property insurance policy. The law makes it a criminal offense for a roofing contractor to pay for, waive, absorb, rebate or offset an insurance deductible. An insured policyholder also violates the law if they knowingly submit or allow a claim with a waived or reduced deductible.

Does auto insurance cover tree branches that fall on your car?

Yes, if you have comprehensive coverage (some companies call it “other than collision”)