How To Chose A Roofing Contractor In Massachusetts

Your homes first defense against most weather conditions is your roof. It should be leak-free, windproof, fire-resistant, and durable for several years through the harshest New England weather. It should also be attractive and not an eye sore. Whether youre in need of a new roofing system, roof replacement, or simply roof repair its time to find yourself a roofing contractor. Though it will take time, due diligence is required, and following the tips below will be a great approach to choosing your next New England roofing contractor.

When you begin your search you will want to interview several roofing companies. Create a list of questions to ask each potential contractor. Some of the info you should collect is as follows,

First of all, what is your initial reaction of the contractor? How wasyour first impression? You can often cut your contractor list down after the first call.
How many years of experience does the roofing contractor have?
Their business license number, if they have one. They should!
Be sure they have the correct contractor license and registration for your state. Some states differ; use http://www.contractors-license.org/ to check the requirements of your New England state.
Run a credit check.
Contact your local Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/) for any history of complaints filed against your potential roofing contractor.
Type of insurance they carry.
The training and years of experience the roofing workers and project manager have.
Ask for certifications and proof of insurance.
Ask the roofing company for a list of references and call them!

After youve narrowed down your list its time to collect estimates. Allow me to make a critical point: Do not make your decision based on price. As you interview several New England roofers youll find that their prices vary dramatically for the same job. The reason some roofers charge more is to allow them to profitably perform maintenance on your roof down the road, or for any unforeseen issues that arise during the construction process. In this case, if they do uncover a separate issue during the roof construction they will see to fixing it rather than letting it fall by the wayside. Whereas if you drive the price down where the contractor is barely covering their costs, they will have no incentive to help with other roofing issues or maintenance down the road.

After you have gathered your estimates from the contractors hold off on cutting your list down unless you feel absolutely certain, as more emphasis should be placed on the proposal. When you receive your list of proposals/contracts there are a few things to consider:

Workmanship guarantees
Roofing Warranties
Project completion date
Roofing materials to be used
Description of roof work
Safety Procedures
Building and roofing permits required
Your payment method and payment schedule
Proof of payment
Hours of service
Info on any roofing subcontractor use
Cleanup method

Overall, the roofing company you choose should have the experience and knowledge to install the roofing system you desire, as well as being approved by the material manufacturers. Now its time for your contractor to go to work. You should feel comfortable working alongside your roofer and taking part in the decision making process of the job. Have fun! The construction of your roof should be an enjoyable experience that you have pride in.

About the Author:
Olympic Roofing wants to help home, building, and condo owners throughout New England and the US. We have begun a roofing article campaign to aid those looking for information on everything roofing.