5 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor

Learn how to choose the best roofer for your home or business

Whether you’re having simple maintenance, repairs, or a roof replacement done, you’re probably thinking carefully about which company you want to work with in your area. If you live in a large town or city, you may find that there are several local companies you can choose from, and because of this, you might be unsure how you’re going to narrow your choices down.

Your concern is understandable, and to help make the decision easier, we have compiled some key points to inquire about when exploring roofing businesses. 

Take a look at the top five questions to ask a roofer in Colorado before you hire them to work on your home. 

#1- Are you licensed and insured?

This is a two-part question that should provide you with a great deal of important information about the roofing contractor you’re interviewing. As such, it’s one of the first questions to ask a roofer.

You’ll want to ensure that the company you hire is licensed to perform roofing work in Colorado. This way, you know that you’re working with a legitimate company.

Be sure to ask about a roofing contractor’s license specifically, as this type of license differs from a standard business license.

Furthermore, it’s good to inquire about the company’s liability insurance and workman’s compensation coverage. Both coverages protect homeowners in the event that a roofer becomes injured, or damage is done to the property during the repair.

#2- Do you offer warranties?

There are two types of warranties related to roofing work, a warranty that covers the material and a warranty that covers the work performed. While many roofing companies offer a one-year warranty in general, it’s a good idea to ask about the terms of both warranty types.

#3- Do you provide estimates in writing?

When interviewing a roofing company, it’s a good idea to ask whether they provide estimates in writing. Generally, a licensed, reputable roofing business will provide everything in writing, but it’s wise to ask ahead of time in order to avoid any surprises once the work is complete.

Not only does having information in writing help homeowners learn about what to look for in a roofing estimate, but it can also help narrow down roofing companies to work with if you’re considering several.

While you’re asking about estimates in writing, you may also want to ask the roofing company if they also provide timeline estimates in writing.

#4- Do you take care of the refuse material?

Most of the time, the roofing company that performs work on your home will dispose of any old material that comes off of your roof during the repair, as well as clean up any unused or leftover material. This way, your property looks exactly the way it did before the roofers began work.

However, it’s a good idea to ask about what happens to the refuse material that accumulates during the repair process.

The last thing a homeowner wants to deal with is broken pieces of roofing material all over their property, so a roofing company that takes care of clean-up is an immense benefit.

#5- Can you protect my lawn/shrubs?

Understandably, many homeowners worry about potential damage to their lawns, shrubs, gutters, and other property features when roofing work is done on their homes. 

A good, reputable company will work carefully to ensure that no part of your home or property is damaged while your roof is being repaired, but as always, it’s a good idea to ask ahead of time.

Talk to the roofing representative about your property and point out your concerns. If you’re working with a company worth your investment, your roofing professionals will explain what steps they plan to take in order to ensure that your property looks the same way it did before the roofers arrived.

By knowing what to ask a roofer before hiring their company, you can steer clear of many of the issues that may arise should you choose a roofing company without prior knowledge of their practices.

A reputable company will take the time to answer your questions and ensure that you fully understand the answers they provide you with. Take your time and carefully research the companies in your area before making a decision to have your roof inspected, maintained, repaired, or replaced.