Q&A WITH TY DUNCAN

Some know-how needed on roof work, insurance

If companies aren't from here, you run the risk of putting a roof on, something going wrong and their not being able to come back to fix it. Low bids can come from thieves who stole their materials from others' driveways. Just asking where they got their stuff could stop you from contracting thieves.

No. Reputable contractors should have an ample credit line to cover materials and labor. Don't even sign anything you don't understand. Some contractors have asked homeowners to sign something to look at roofs, and in the fine print, they're agreeing for that contractor to do the job.

Ask contractors to outline the scope and cost of the job, and when it will be done. Jobs typically take one to two days. Ask for references, recent and not-so-recent. Unreliable roofers probably will not have older references. Contact your local Better Business Bureau to check on any complaints registered against the company, and that the company you choose is bonded and registered at www.ok.gov/ cib — the website of the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board. A requirement for registration is that roofers carry workers' compensation and general liability insurance.

Because once you've called the agent, it's as much as filing a claim, and in the future when you do qualify for a roof replacement, you may be penalized for any damages “paid” toward your earlier claim. A roofer can verify there's enough damage for a total roof replacement — at least eight signs of weather damage in any 10-foot-by-10-foot area on your roof.

In most cases insurance companies will offer discounts if you replace wood shakes or shingles with a composition roof. Larger discounts are offered when a Class 4 impact resistant shingle is used. Do not sign a cosmetic clause on your insurance policy, which allows the insurer to determine if damage to Class 4 shingles is cosmetic or functional.

Make sure your roofer agrees to clean up, including using a metal detector upon completion.

Paula Burkes,Business writer

Why is it important to use local roofing companies? Ty Duncan is principal of Backwoods Roofiing. Why is it important to call a roofer before you know if your insurance company will cover damages?