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Replacing a roof is not a job for your neighborhood handyman. He may be able to repair a few leaks here and there, but replacing an entire roof is a job for a professional roofer. Whenever you sign a major contract – such as one for roof replacement or repair – you need to be able to trust the contractor, especially if you know very little about the project. These days, finding a reliable contractor can be a challenging task, but not if you know where to look and how to distinguish the good guys from the fraudulent ones.
Ask for referrals
If you have friends, family, or acquaintances that have recently had their roof replaced, they should be able to recommend their contractor to you, assuming they were fully satisfied with the job that was done on their home.
Verify permits, licenses, and other pertinent documents
A contractor that doesn’t perform well isn’t likely to stay in business for very long. To find “clients” – in this case, gullible homeowners who unfortunately don’t bother do their research on contractors first – disreputable roofers or roofing contractors often need to move from one area to another, which means that they won’t have the necessary documents to prove they are licensed to work in a certain locale. You might need to spend some extra time verifying the validity or authenticating any documents presented to you, but doing so will save you from a lot of problems.
Never pay too much upfront
If the contractor asks for 100% payment upfront, take it as a negative sign. All good contractors know that owners need to reserve a portion of the payment to ensure that the work is completed properly. The balance on full payment is only released after final inspection and acceptance.
At this point, you should already have a better idea on how to decide if you need a new roof or simply have it repaired. You should also have a general idea of what a roofing contract is and how to find a reliable roofing contractor. If you feel that you need more information, don’t hesitate to do a bit more research or, better yet, contact a roofer that has already gained a good reputation in your area. Always remember that it is important that you feel comfortable with everything about the project before you proceed.
