Key Takeaways
- Your roof is vital for protecting your home from environmental stressors, making it essential to avoid subpar work and potential financial losses by only hiring legitimate roofing companies for inspections, maintenance, and repairs.
- You must verify the roofing company’s licensing and insurance coverage to avoid liability for any damages or injuries that may occur during the project.
- Research the company’s reputation through online reviews and ratings. It may also be helpful to ask for references to gain additional insight into the contractor’s reliability and quality of work.
- To ensure your demands will be met, get several quotations, review detailed contracts, and watch for red flags. You should also evaluate the company’s customer service and communication.
Learning How to Check the Legitimacy of a Roofing Company
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home—it serves as the first line of defense against environmental stressors like rain, snow, UV rays, and wind. Therefore, before scheduling roofing projects, you should know how to check if a roofing company is legit to prevent subpar work, safety hazards, and financial losses that can come from hiring an unqualified or fraudulent contractor.
Firstly, you should verify the company’s licensing and insurance coverage to avoid liability for potential damages or injuries. Additionally, you should research the company’s reputation by looking through online reviews or ratings and asking for references. Considering the company’s specializations and their years in business can also help you gauge their legitimacy.
Ensure you choose the right roofing contractor by getting multiple quotes, reviewing detailed contracts, and evading red flags. As you build a rapport with this company, assess their ability to communicate and deliver customer service to guarantee that your needs will be met going forward.
Verify Licensing and Insurance
Before researching the quality of work that a roofing contractor delivers, it is vital to guarantee that the company has the certifications and financial protection needed to operate in the first place. Before digging deeper into a roofing company’s reputation, you should perform the following steps.
Check Licensing
Most states require roofing companies to have certain licenses to operate legally. For example, Oregon requires nearly everyone who performs construction activities for compensation to obtain a Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license per Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 701. Additionally, Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 812 outlines the specific training and credentials that the CCB approves.
Typically, your state’s licensing board website will allow you to verify a contractor’s license. Oregon residents can use CCB’s contractor license search tool to confirm that their prospective contractor is properly licensed. Doing so can ensure that your roofing project will meet local building codes and standards.
Confirm Insurance
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has reported thousands of roofer-related accidents, many of which were fatal. In addition to causing long-lasting suffering, having a worker get injured on your property can put you in financial jeopardy if the roofing company is not adequately insured because you may be held liable for the damages, injuries, and distress.
You can request a copy of the company’s insurance certificate to avoid complications. Ensure the contractor has liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. This protects you in case of accidents or damages during the project. As an added safety measure, you should contact the insurer to confirm that the policy is active.
Research Company Reputation
Just because the roofing company has insurance and the licensure needed to operate does not mean that their work is guaranteed to be high-quality. So, you should look into the company’s reputation by completing the following steps.
Review Online Ratings
Considering there can be a large disparity in work quality throughout the roofing industry, it is crucial to check a contractor’s reputation online. Some examples of websites that can offer valuable insights into customer experiences are:
- Yelp
- Better Business Bureau
As you survey the sites above, look for patterns in the feedback people are giving the company. Sometimes, a few negative reviews can be expected, assuming they are anomalies amidst their otherwise excellent reputation. However, consistent complaints about the same issue should raise red flags.
Ask For References
Obtaining references from prior customers is another useful method of determining a roofing company’s legitimacy. By learning about other people’s experiences, you can better understand the contractor and their quality of work. You can ask the company for references or message people who have left reviews online.
Some examples of questions to ask references include:
- How would you rate the company’s quality of work?
- Was the project completed on time and within budget?
- Did the workers encounter any issues during the project?
- Did the team maintain a clean and safe work environment?
- How has your roof been since the maintenance or installation?
- Is there anything you wish you had known before hiring this company?
After asking the questions above, you can finish your inquiry by directly asking, “Would you recommend this company? Why or why not?” Regardless of whether they recommend the company or not, hearing from individuals who were in a similar position to you can be incredibly helpful.
Assess Company Experience and Expertise
After hearing from past clients, you can take another look at the company itself by zooming out and assessing the following characteristics.
Years In Business
When assessing reliability, a company’s experience and history can speak volumes. A long-standing company likely has a solid reputation and substantial experience because it typically takes consistent excellence for a company to survive in the ever-expanding roofing industry.
Suppose a company has been in business for several years. In that case, it is safe to assume they have completed numerous projects with varying difficulties. Feel free to ask for a portfolio with pictures from finished projects to confirm their expertise and adaptability.
Furthermore, a seasoned contractor is typically knowledgeable about regional building codes and standards, guaranteeing quality and compliance.
Specializations
Understanding what the roofing company specializes in can also help you make informed decisions. Some examples of areas of expertise that a roofing company may have are:
- Residential roofing – Specializes in homes and works with various roofing materials, such as BRAVA composite roof tile, cedar shake, and asphalt shingles.
- Commercial roofing – Proficiency with larger buildings, frequently working on flat roofs and using materials like modified bitumen, EPDM, or TPO.
- Roof inspections – Focuses on providing thorough roof assessments rather than hands-on work.
- Roof repairs – Concentrates on fixing leaks, damaged shingles, or structural issues rather than full-blown replacements.
- Roof replacement – Specializes in complete roof removals and installations of new roofing systems.
- Green roofing – Focuses on eco-friendly roofing options, such as living roofs or solar panel installations.
- Gutter services – Concentrates on gutter cleaning, installation, and maintenance to stop water damage.
- Roof ventilation solutions – Specializes in maintaining appropriate attic ventilation systems to increase roofs’ lifespan and energy efficiency.
- Skylight services – Proficiency with replacing, repairing, or installing skylights to avoid leaks.
By checking that the contractor is skilled in the type of roofing services you need, you can guarantee that the results will be as high-quality and long-lasting as possible.
Review Written Estimates and Contracts
As you delve into the specifics of your requested roofing services, evaluating the documents you are presented with is important. Some examples of tips that can help you ensure you are getting the best deal possible are:
- Get multiple quotes – Comparing quotes allows you to gauge fair pricing and the range of services offered, prompting informed decision-making.
- Look through detailed contracts – By paying close attention to contract details, you can better understand the scope of work, warranties, and payment terms associated with your roofing project.
- Avoid red flags – Be cautious of potential warning signs, such as unusually low bids or vague contract details. Red flags like these can allude to future problems down the line.
Sometimes, it can be challenging to read through all the jargon-heavy documents accompanying roofing work. However, doing so can decrease your risk of client-contractor disagreements and misunderstandings.
Evaluate Professionalism and Communication
While communicating back and forth with the roofing company, take note of how they hold themselves and address obstacles. You should specifically ask yourself the following questions?
How is Their Customer Service?
Evaluate the company’s focus on customer service and how they make you feel as a client. A legitimate, trustworthy roofing company should be prompt and courteous when communicating with you.
Consider their willingness to listen to your concerns and answer questions. A reliable roofing company should take the time to explain its processes, provide detailed estimates, and address any uncertainties you may have.
You should also assess their professionalism during interactions. Are they respectful and friendly? Do they maintain a positive attitude, even when addressing potential issues?
Strong customer service indicates a company that prioritizes client relationships and is dedicated to delivering a positive experience. If the roofing company is attentive and professional, it can foster trust and ensure that you feel valued throughout the project.
Are They Communicating Clearly?
An effective roofing job requires effective communication. Before work starts, ensuring all the specifics are covered and understood is crucial. A trustworthy roofing firm should give detailed explanations of the project’s parameters, including budget and required materials. Setting reasonable expectations for the completion date and any required permits or inspections is another aspect of clear communication.
If the roofing company is not open and honest about any obstacles they may encounter and the steps they intend to take to overcome them, they may not be the right fit for you.
Find a Trusted Portland Roofing Company
Knowing how to check if a roofing company is legit helps prevent common pitfalls. By verifying their licensing and insurance coverage, you can avoid liability for potential injuries or damages. Reviewing online ratings and talking to references is also important to learn more about the company’s reputation. You should consider how long the company has been in business and make sure that they specialize in the services you need. Lastly, you should read through the documents they supply and evaluate their customer service and professionalism.
The reliable roofing professionals at Roof Life of Oregon specialize in various types of roofing projects, allowing us to serve the greater Portland, Oregon, area for over 38 years. Whether you need roof inspections, maintenance services, or a full-blown roof replacement, we can help you make your roof last as long as possible. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction ensures that your roofing needs are met with professionalism and expertise.
Contact us today to receive a free roof inspection and a complimentary estimate for suggested repairs or replacements.