If you’re looking to hire roofing professionals to inspect, repair, or replace your roof, there are many important questions that you need to ask. So many roofing materials are on the market and each one has its own unique benefits. For example, metal roofs help to reflect the sun’s ultraviolet and infrared light, which helps to keep your roof and your home cooler. According to State Farm, this results in anywhere from a 10 to 25% cooling cost reduction. Knowing what questions to ask can help you hire the ideal roofing professionals and hone in on the right roofing materials. Here are ten questions you should be sure to ask your roofing professionals.
1. Are You Licensed and Insured?
The first question that you should ask any roofing contractor is whether they’re licensed and insured. You should always ensure that the contractor or company you are considering working with is licensed in the state where your home or commercial building is located in. You should also ask to see proof that they’re insured by one of the best roofer’s insurance companies, and verify that their insurance policy is currently valid. Always avoid companies who aren’t licensed and insured, as they may not provide you with the best work and are a liability risk.
2. Do You Handle Residential or Commercial Projects?
Another question that should be asked of roofing professionals is whether they handle residential or commercial roofing projects. Residential roofs differ vastly from commercial roofs. Commercial roofs are often no-slope or low-slope roofs, and those roofs utilize different roofing materials compared to residential roofs, which are often sloped roofs. Some contractors can work with both residential and commercial roofs, but most contractors select only one type of roof to work on. You want to ensure that they have the experience and expertise to work on your roof.
3. How Much Experience Do Your Roofers Have?
If you’re looking to hire roofing professionals from a roofing company, or if you are looking to hire a single roofing contractor, one of the questions you should always ask is how much experience the roofer has in general and how much experience the roofer has with the type of roofing materials that are present on your surface. Asking this question is a great way to ensure that you’re hiring a roofing professional who has the expertise and knowledge to help with the specific type of roof that you currently have. Additionally, some roofing manufacturers certify roofing professionals who have the skills necessary to work with their specific roofing materials. Always ask if the roofing company has any certified roofers.
4. How Much Life Is Left on My Roof?
Now that you know the general questions that you should be asking anytime you’re looking to hire roofing professionals for a project, you may be wondering what specific questions you should ask during a roof inspection. During a roof inspection, one of the important questions to ask a roofing professional is how much life they think is left on your roof. There are many factors that affect how long a roof will last, including the roofing material itself, how well-maintained it is, and the weather it’s exposed to. A roofing professional should be able to give you an estimate as to how much longer they think your roof will last, and if you should start planning for a new roof in the near future.
5. Does My Roof Need Repairs?
Another question to ask a roofer during a roof inspection is whether the roof needs any repairs. A roof inspection is one of the best ways to determine the overall condition of your roof, and whether your roof needs any work or repairs. It’s recommended that you have a roof inspection twice a year for a commercial roof and once a year for a residential roof to help catch small problems before they turn into large ones. A roofer should always let you know what repairs are needed and why.
6. Are Repairs or a Replacement Needed?
If a roofing professional tells you that your roof needs some work, one of the questions that you may wish to ask the professional is whether repairs or replacement is ideal for the roof and why. In some cases, the answer may come down to your budget. If you can afford a replacement roof, the roofer may recommend that, but if you can’t, repairs may buy you enough time to save for the roof. Always ask this question to find out if repairs or replacement are the recommended course of action for your roof.
7. Is a Tear-Off or Re-Roof Better?
Once a roofing professional has recommended that you get a new roof, one of the lesser-known questions that you should be sure to ask is whether the roofer recommends a tear-off job or a re-roof. A tear-off job involves removing all of your roofing materials and installing a new roof. A re-roof involves layering new roofing materials over your existing roofing materials. Re-roofs are cheaper, but they cannot be done on all roofs and can only be done one or two times.
8. Who’s Responsible for Disposing of Old Roofing Materials?
Another question that you should ask, that many people don’t know to ask, is who’s responsible for disposing of old roofing materials. If old roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles, clay tiles, or cedar shakes, need to be disposed of, you may have to rent a dumpster. Sometimes this cost is included in the estimate you receive and the roofing company handles everything. Other companies leave the disposal of garbage to you. Asking ahead of time allows you to budget and plan ahead of time if you’re responsible for this task.
9. What Roofing Material Do You Recommend?
If roofing professionals recommend that you need to replace your existing roof, one of the most important questions that you can as is what roofing material they recommend for your new roof. There are many different roofing materials on the market, and each roofing material has its own unique pros and cons. A great roofing company can help you select the material that is ideal for you based on the style of your home, the weather conditions the roof will be exposed to, and how much you can afford to spend on a new roof.
10. How Can I Properly Care For and Maintain My New Roof?
The last question that you should ask roofing professionals is how you can properly care for and maintain your new roof. You want to find out what steps you should take to help your new roof last as long as possible. A great roofing company will help you understand what types of care and maintenance your roof needs not only to last but also to ensure any warranty the roof comes with stays intact.
Roofing professionals are trusted experts. They can help you with everything that your roof needs. If you’re looking to hire a roofing professional, knowing what questions to ask is important. A reputable company can help you with roofing inspections, repairs, and replacements. Contact Precision Roofing to see how we can help!
