Homestyle What to ask when hiring a roofer

Know important facts about the company before giving it the green light

If you’re thinking of getting your roof repaired or replaced, be a smar t consumer and ask prospective roofers the right questions — it could mean the difference between a good experience and a bad one. Here’s what you want to know:

1. Does your company have a physical address?

The reason it’s important to have a physical address is if you have a claim or some kind of problem or repair needed once the job is completed, chances are it’ll be challenging to get ahold of the roofer if they’re from out of state or you only have a post office box for them, said Mark Graham, vice president of technical ser vices for the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). “Preferably, they’re local,” he said, “so you know where they’re physically located.”

2. Are you licensed and insured?

A license, which Graham said is only required in less than half of the 50 states, of fers some measure of assurance that the roofer and his subcontractors have been appropriately trained and are up-to-date on the building codes in your area. A roofer also needs to have insurance to cover any on-the-job accidents or damage to your home.

3. Do you offer a warranty on your services?

“We recommend homeowners don’t put a lot of faith in warranties,” Graham said. “Most are typically written by manufacturers [of roofing materials] and protect the manufacturer, not the homeowner.” The warranties tend to have language that severely limits payoffs. “I wouldn’t make a purchasing decision based on a warranty,” he said. “I would base it on feeling comfor table with a contractor who’s vested in the local community, getting a well-detailed proposal, and good references.”

4. Will you give me customer references?

Ask prospective roofers for at least three references from re