Choosing the right contractor to repair your roof is essential. A wrong contractor can ruin the job, cost you even more money, and may also damage the roof further. This only adds to the stress of a damaged roof. Hence, it is vital that you thoroughly screen a contractor before hiring him. You need to make sure they can do the job, they are qualified, and that they will do a job with no future hassles. 

So how do you know if the contractor you have shortlisted is the right one? Well, there are many ways to find out. One of the simplest ways is to ask them the following questions.

1) Do You Have Insurance and WCB Clearance?

If an uninsured contractor meets an accident on your property where they are injured, you will have to look after the medical expenses. Hence, it is essential that you only hire insured contractors to safeguard yourself. To know this for sure, you should ask the contractor to produce a copy of WCB clearance that is issued by the government of Alberta. It would be best if you also looked for a Certificate of Recognition that is awarded to those companies that meet the health and safety standards. 

2) How Much Experience Do You Have?

You have to hire a contractor that has seen it all and has tremendous experience of roofing repair. This is crucial, as sometimes newer contractors might not be well acquainted with your issue. In this case, they may either do a subpar job or they may hide the problem and charge you money. An experienced contractor will know how to tackle all sorts of issues, even the ones that are new to him. 

3) Where Can I Find Reviews and References?

On the same lines as the previous point, you should ask for references and reviews. They may either have a website of their own where they have listed the testimonials, or they may direct you to their social media handle where you can see the reviews. You should look for positive reviews on their work, and if most of their jobs have produced satisfactory reviews, it means that they are a reliable contractor. 

4) How Do You Plan to Access the Roof?

In Edmonton, where most houses have eavestroughs, you need to ensure that the contractor will not damage them while accessing their roof. You can ask them if they are going to use a ladder stabilizer or standoff. If their answer does not satisfy you, you should move on to another contractor. It is better to spend some time looking for the right contractor with the right equipment than rushing through with a contractor who does not have the right equipment. 

5) Who Will Do the Clean Up?

Once the job is completed, there may be a lot of garbage and debris, including pieces of plywood, nails, drip edge shingles, etc. You should ask if the contractor will clean these up or not. A right contractor will not only clean this up, but they will also know how to dispose of the garbage appropriately. If they refuse to clean the trash, you should move on to another contractor, as sometimes, this garbage can be a health hazard to you if you don’t know how to dispose of them properly. 

6) Do You Offer a Manufacturing Warranty?

Roofing repairs are expensive, and you should expect them to last at least a few decades without needing significant repairs. To ensure this, you should ask about the warranty that the contractor offers. The safest bet is to look for a 25-year warranty for major roof repairs. If the contractor refuses warranty, it shows that they are not confident about the products that they use. 

7) Will You Provide a Detailed Estimate?

As mentioned, roofing repairs are expensive. Hence, it would be best if you always asked for a written estimate of the job. This will let you know how much you will be spending on this project, and how much extra you should expect the price to go. If you begin the job without any estimate, you may be quoted a higher-than-usual price, or you may overshoot your budget for the job. Additionally, the contractor might decide to use it to their advantage by lying about the costs. 

8) How Will You Protect the Property?

A contractor will arrive at your place in a truck, with a lot of equipment and tools. You need to make sure that they have a plan on using these tools without damaging your driveway, lawn and property. If they seem confused about it or don’t give you a satisfactory answer, you should let them go. A poorly organized contractor can ruin your landscaping and can cause structural damage to your property with their equipment.

Additionally, most well-established contractors have liability insurance, i.e., if they damage your house, this insurance covers the cost of repairing it. Not having liability insurance is a sign of an unprepared contractor who might be overconfident, and may end up costing you a lot of money on your lawn and driveway.

9) What is Your Plan for Bad Weather?

Lastly, you should ask them about their plan in case the weather worsens. All the good contractors have a last-minute resort or solution to this, and you need to be aware of this. They usually end up wrapping the project in tarp or plastic cover, or they might have their unique solutions. A wrong contractor will have none, which can be troublesome if it rains or snows unexpectedly.

You might think these are too many questions, but they are not. There are never too many questions. Moreover, a reputable and serious contractor will gladly answer all these questions and more. Answering these questions shows that they are professional, qualified, and insured and that they are prepared for any accidents, mishaps, or bad weather. 

Contact us to hire the best contractors for roofing repairs who will answer all these questions and more!