Even small roof repair jobs can be costly, and when choosing a contractor, you need to find someone that will do quality work for a reasonable price. All too often, homeowners have to sift through contractors that either take advantage of their client’s lack of expertise or are vastly underqualified. There are some red flags you need to look out for when hiring a roofing contractor to avoid accepting an offer that seems too good to be true.
Your Contractor Doesn’t Communicate Well
Contractors know that the average homeowner doesn’t have the industry expertise to understand what goes into roof repair. Your contractor should be able to clearly answer any of your questions throughout the process. They should also answer your calls, texts, or emails in a timely manner. They may not be by the phone or computer all day, every day, but waiting days for an answer isn’t a good sign.
If your contractor is a poor communicator, they’re unprofessional at best, and at worst, they’re trying to hide something from you. Either way, it’s best to move on and speak with a different company.
The Estimates Are Too Good To Be True
Any roofing contractor worth their salt will be able to conduct a detailed inspection of your roof and give you a solid repair estimate. They should be able to give you an idea of the cost of labor, materials, and taxes. Although unforeseen hurdles and expenses may arise, it shouldn’t be too much of a jump in price. If a contractor gives you a price that seems extremely low or too good to be true, you can almost guarantee that a jump in price will crop up due to an “unforeseen hurdle.”
The idea here is to lock you into a contract, and by the time they’ve started, it’s too much work to stop the project and find another contractor. You should never hire a company just because their prices are the lowest you can find.
Your Contractor Doesn’t Readily Show Their Certifications
Before hiring a contractor, you should always ask for proof of their licensing and insurance. These documents are the two most important things to look for in a quality roofing company, and both should be up-to-date. In doing so, you ensure that you’re getting quality work done, and if any injuries or accidents occur, the contractor has insurance to protect you and your home.
Don’t let shady contractors fool you. Requesting to see their licensing and insurance is not a big ask. If they seem weary about showing you, dodge the question, or outright refuse, don’t be afraid to show them the door.
There’s a Lack of Reputable Reviews
Unless you’re a company’s very first client, your contractor should have some form of reputable reviews or, at the very least, a portfolio of past projects. One or two faceless reviews on Google don’t count! If a roofing contractor doesn’t have any reviews, refuses to give you any, or stops responding after you ask, this is a huge red flag to look out for. A quality contractor will be more than happy to provide you with references or people you can contact on your own that will attest to their work.
