04/29/2013 | By Scott Siegal
Do Not Hire the Wrong Contractor – Hire a Certified Contractor
We all have heard the stories, from family members, from the neighbors, from your brother-in-law how so and so hired the wrong contractor and their roofing project went sideways. Sure they thought they were getting a great deal, but then the problems started. The contractor would show up late to the job, there was damage to the flowers, they found nails in their driveway and then the contractor added a $2000 change order at the end of the job! Their great deal turned into a nightmare.
Let’s face it, replacing the roof on your home is not something that most people want to do, but like a lot of homeowners, if you own your home long enough you’ll need to get your roof replaced. Though hiring a professional roofing contractor at his price is not something that any homeowner relishes doing, it makes no sense in hiring the wrong contractor who may have the lowest price, but also the lowest quality of work.
Homeowners should never choose a roofing contractor solely on the basis of his quote – as cheap as it may be. One little slip in choosing the proper certified roofing contractor can do a lot of damage to your home and what may have seemed like a real bargain can turn out to be a very costly mistake in the end.
Hire a Professionally Trained Certified Contractor
To avoid the risk of your home improvement project turning into a nightmare, you need to select your roofing contractor very carefully. Studies have shown that if you do your due diligence before you hire a roofing contractor your chances of having a successful roofing project are extremely high.
However, if you don’t thoroughly check out the contractor you hire, studies also have shown that you have about a 50-50 chance of something going wrong with your project. If that happens, not only do you still have to deal with a bad roof, there’s a good chance you will need to pay another roofing contractor to fix the bad contractor’s errors.
How to Have a Successful Roofing Project
To have a successful replacement roofing project and to make sure you are hiring a certified contractor there are action steps and questions you must ask each contractor that will bid on your project. Here are a few tips to ensure that you will get the right job at the right price.
- Allow yourself at least 1 hour to meet with and qualify a certified contractor before you award the project.
- Make sure the contractor is operating out of a permanent place of business.
- Make sure the contractor has current liability insurance and current workers compensation policy paperwork. Then call the insurance agent to make sure the policies are still current.
- Make sure the contractor can provide you with references of recent projects they have completed.
- Do not hire a certified contractor if they are not members of their industry trade organization or certified by the product manufacture.
Hire a Certified Contractor
No homeowner should have to pay for damage to the inside of their home because of a poorly installed roof, that will allow water to penetrate to the interior and lead to damaged drywall, wet carpet, and possible mold issues.
When it is time to hire a certified contractor for your next roof replacement project, take some time to qualify them, by asking the right questions, checking on their insurance policies, industry credentials and asking for references. Make sure they provide you with a clearly understandable proposal that details what they will do to complete the project.
If you do these things then you have a much high chance of having a successful project. If you don’t do these things…. you just might be the homeowner who will tell other people about your… nightmare roofing project.
Share
About CCN
Read More Blogs Like This
Related Posts

4 Tips for Improving Construction Project Management
Construction projects include various individual steps and tasks, which can make it difficult to stay on track with your budget and timeline. From the initiation phase to close-out, construction projects are complex and lengthy. Here, the professionals at CCN walk through four tips to make project management simple. Have A Thorough Understanding of the Project …
Technology Tips for Contractors: Building Information Modeling (BIM) Gaining on CAD
Building Information Modeling technology (BIM) is a process that involves the creation of digital models including physical and functional aspects of home remodeling. BIM is facilitated by a variety of tools, technology, and agreements. It is continuing to make advances in everyday home construction and remodeling after being recognized as a key influence in substantial…

Top Roofing Materials for Severe Weather Conditions
Roofs are constructed to repel against heavy rain, thunderstorms, hurricanes, winds, snow, hail, and other major weather conditions. Although most roofs provide protection from these conditions, certain roofing materials have an advantage over others during severe weather conditions. Below, the home improvement professionals at Certified Contractors Network detail the benefits of some of the most…

Worker Safety in the Construction Industry
Construction sites are a naturally dangerous setting even when safety is a top priority. As an owner or manager in the contracting industry, it is essential that you take action to protect your company’s employees. Below, the experienced professionals at Certified Contractors Network discuss the importance of worker safety and what to do as an…

Lead Generation for Contractors: Top Seven Technologies to Consider
Trust plays an essential role in gaining customers and obtaining contracts, and a key driver in lead generation. Traditional lead generation strategies such as television commercials, billboard ads, and radio ads have been less successful with the advancement of technology. Lead generation companies allow contractors to generate exceptional leads. Below, the experienced contractors at Certified…

Operations of a Human Resources Manager in the Construction Industry
Human resources is a fundamental department in the construction industry. Without human resources, a construction project cannot be completed successfully. Below the experienced professionals at Certified Contractors Network discuss the functions and importance of human resources in the construction industry. Roles and Responsibilities of an HR Manager In Contracting Human resources management encompasses everything from…

Five Tips to Avoid Water Damage Insurance Claims for Roofers
Water damage to a homeowner’s property as a result of a leak or unanticipated thunderstorm is the leading cause of insurance claims in the roofing industry. Unfortunately, even if you and the homeowners do everything right, water damage can still occur and lead to expensive insurance claims. If these claims are not handled quickly and…

Rising Material Costs to Continue in 2021
The Producer Price Index for construction goods rose 5% over the three-year period ending in November 2020, per the Association of General Contractors. There are many factors causing the rising cost of materials. Tariffs and trade issues drive costs up, as do environmental regulation and changing demand. Many projects require lumber, steel, fuel and…

Technology Tips for Contractors: Frequently Asked Questions on QuickBooks for Contractors
Sloppy bookkeeping and billing practices is one of the most basic drivers of underperforming contracting companies. Maintaining good bookkeeping is essential to profitability for companies and peace of mind for owners. Intuit’s QuickBooks software has served as the industry standard for bookkeeping across nearly all industries for decades. Construction is no exception to this rule. …

HR Tips for Contractors: Employee Retention for Contractors Paramount Amidst Labor Shortage
The labor shortage for builders is well documented, with some research suggesting as much as 80% of construction companies reporting not being able to find enough skilled workers. While statistics like that tend to grab the headlines, the more important part of the story for contractors is how significant that makes employee retention and development…