Choosing Your Contractor

Because all roofing contractors are not alike, NRCA encourages homeowners and building owners to prequalify roofing contractors. A new roof system is a considerable investment, and you deserve to have it done right the first time.

To decide which roofing contractor to hire, you should evaluate each contractor to determine who will provide a quality roof system at a fair price.

In its ongoing effort to educate homeowners and building owners about roofing contractors, NRCA has made available its Residential Roofing Contractor Qualification Form to help homeowners and building owners prequalify roofing contractors.

CLICK HERE for NRCA's Residential Roofing Contractor Qualification Form. Please note that this form is posted as an Adobe pdf file. You may need to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view and print the document.

* What is PDF?
PDF is an acronym for "Portable Document Format." It's a file format created by Adobe that lets you view and print a file exactly as the author designed it, without needing to have the same application or fonts used to create the file. Since its introduction in 1993, PDF has become an Internet standard for electronic distribution that faithfully preserves the look and feel of the original document complete with fonts, colors, images, and layout.

Selecting a professional roofing contractor ...

Buying a new roof system is an important investment. Before you spend your money, spend time learning how to evaluate roofing contractors. You should insist on working with a professional roofing contractor. NRCA wants to assist you in getting the kind of results you expect—a quality roof system at a fair price. All roofing contractors are not alike, and NRCA recommends that you prequalify roofing contractors to get the job done right the first time. The following guidelines will help you select a professional:

Check for a permanent place of business, telephone number, tax identification number and, where applicable, a business license.
Don't hesitate to ask a roofing contractor for proof of insurance. In fact, insist on seeing copies of his liability coverage and workers' compensation certificates. Make sure the coverages are in effect through the duration of the job. Many building and home owners have been dragged into litigation involving uninsured roofing contractors. Also, if a contractor is not properly insured, you may be liable for accidents that occur on your property.
Check to see if the roofing contractor is properly licensed or bonded. Some states have specific licensing requirements, and others do not. Your state's Department of Professional Regulation or Licensing Board will have this information.
Make sure the contractor is financially stable. A professional roofing contractor can provide current financial information about his company.
Look for a company with a proven track record that offers client references and a list of completed projects. Call these clients to find out whether they were satisfied.
Insist on a detailed, written proposal and examine it for complete descriptions of the work and spec ifications, including approximate starting and completion dates and payment procedures.
Have the contractor list the roofing manufacturers with which his firm is a licensed or approved applicator. Most roof systems require special application expertise to achieve lasting quality.
Have the contractor explain his project supervision and quality-control procedures. Request the name of the person who will be in charge of your project, how many workers will be required and estimated completion time.
Check to see if the contractor is a member of any regional or national industry associations, such as NRCA. Being a member of industry associations demonstrates a commitment to professionalism.
Call your local Better Business Bureau or Department of Professional Regulation to check for possible complaints filed against the contractor.
Carefully read and understand any roofing warranties offered, and watch for provisions that would void it.
Choose a company committed to worker safety and education. Ask the contractor what type of safety training he provides for his workers and what industry education programs they have attended. The best roofing contractor is only as good as the workers who install the roof system.
Keep a healthy skepticism about the lowest bid. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Many fly-by -night contractors' below-cost bids seem attractive, but these contractors often are uninsured and perform substandard work. Remember, price is only one of the criteria for selecting a roofing contractor. Professionalism, experience and quality workmanship also should weigh heavily in your decision.

Beck Roofing, Hayward, CA: Roofing, Roofing Contractor, Roofs, Roof Work, Roof Repairs, Residential Roofing, Commercial Roofing,
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21123 Meekland Avenue : PO Box 234 : Hayward, CA 94541 Tel 510.581.6750 : Fax 510.581.1079
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