Five Questions to ask Potential Roofing Contractors Does the contractor have adequate insurance? Don’t just ask, ask to see it. Every contractor should be prepared to provide a copy of their liability insurance, as well as their WSIB. The consequences of operating without the proper insurance are getting stiffer. Jobs can be completely halted if the ministry of labour finds that there is no WSIB coverage. You do not want that to be after they have stripped your roof. How long has the contractor been in business? If your contractor doesn’t have a long track record, how do you know he will be in business if you have a warranty problem? There are plenty of companies out there that are offering 10 year labour warranties that have only been in business for a few years. Unfortunately, most businesses fail and close their doors in the first 10 years. Who will provide the warranty work that you paid for? What warranties are offered? There are two types of warranties. A labour warranty that is provided by the contractor covers the installation. It ensures that if you have an issue due to faulty installation, that the contractor will return to fix the issue. The second type of warranty is a product warranty, and is provided by the manufacturer. It protects against defects in the product that may cause an issue in with your roof. There are also tiers to the manufacturer’s warranty. Is your contractor certified by the manufacturer to give the full lifetime warranty? If not, your “lifetime shingle” comes with a 15 year warranty instead of 50. Is your contractor addressing your needs? Are they looking at your roof project’s specific needs? Are they working with you and your budget, or are they just trying to sell you a package? A contractor should be flexible enough to give you the products that you need, not just what they have in the truck. Are you dealing with a salesman, or a roofer? Traditionally, roofing was a trade that you dealt with, and purchased a roof from a roofer. Whether they were still in the field, and would also be the primary installer on your roof, or they were a roofer that had been in the field, but had moved into a sales position, or had created a business. Today when purchasing a roof, you are more likely to be dealing with a sales person that has never actually been in the field. Without knowing the complexities of installing your roof, it is hard to always inform customers of the intricate details of the installation process. Without knowing the complications that may arise during installation, it is far more likely that unforeseen costs, and additional charges may arise. Today it is easier than ever to do a little research on your roofing contractor. Make sure you check for reviews, and references, and ask these questions, to ensure you are getting the best qualified roofing contractor to protect your largest investment. – T.J. Scull, president
