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Q. How do I know if I need a new roof?
A. Is water leaking or does it look old with curling edges? We will come out for a free evaluation and estimate if needed.

Q. What is the full name and address of the company?
A. Getting the complete address of the company can be an all important factor in determining a company's time in business. If a post office box is given, ask for a full street address as well. Try to hire a contractor that has an office nearby. The likelihood of quicker service is greater if the company is based near your home.

Q. Does the company carry insurance?
A. A contractor should carry comprehensive liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance to protect you in the event of a roofing accident. This can be verified by asking to see the contractor's certificates of insurance (workers' compensation and general liability). Let the contractor know you want current certificates sent to you by the insurer before the job is started. Contractors may also carry other kinds of insurance including health, life and auto insurance. Bland assurances of insurance coverage may refer to these. Don't be confused. Ask for proof of general liability and workers' compensation coverage of roofing projects.

Q. Is the company a licensed or credentialed contractor?
A. When you pose this question, you are, in effect, asking if the contractor is licensed by your state and/or city. Not all states require contractors to be licensed. If your state does not license contractors, then he might have had to pass a written examination in his specialty, although few licenses make this a requirement. A number of cities also require professional licensing. Check with your local licensing authority for details.

A contractor may also answer this question by telling you he has a business license. However, a business license is a tax requirement only and is not directly relevant to the contractor's competence.

Several roofing manufactures offer a variety of programs to professional contractors that establish their credentials as a knowledgeable roofing company. Homeowners can view a contractor's credentials as another indicator of their degree of knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to the roofing trade.

Q. How long has the company been in business?
A. Needless to say, longer is usually better. Under three years may signal an unstable business or one low on the learning curve. On the other hand, everybody has to start some time. References will be helpful to double-check any business, and are especially important when dealing with a new business. A newer business may have a great future but it is only reasonable to be more careful when considering its referrals. The failure rate of small businesses in the first three years is very high.

Q. Will the company provide referrals or references from previous jobs?
A:
*Ask for photos of completed work, if available. Keep in kind, however, that many roofers will not have photos.

* Request a list of 10 names and phone numbers of recent customers (last 12 months). It is not necessary to check all 10, but you will be able to pick randomly from the list those you do call.

Q. What is the company's workmanship warranty?
A. Typically, contractor workmanship warranties are for one year or more. Longer warranties are not necessarily more valuable than shorter warranties. The length of the warranty is less important that the intent and ability of the roofer to stand behind his warranty. That is best evaluated using customer referrals. Ask his customers specifically for information about these four things:

1) Did he perform his work on timely basis?
2) Was he responsive when asked for information and changes?
3) Did he act as if he cared about the customers’ interests?
4) Would you call the company trustworthy?

The roofer will warrant his workmanship. The manufacturer, on the other hand, warranties the roofing material against defects in manufacturing. Thus, two warranties will cover the shingle roof system. Understand them both. Ask for a copy of the manufacturer's warranty pertaining to the specific shingle products you are considering.

Usually, problems of either workmanship or material show up very quickly. Therefore, the near-term warranty given by the contractor or manufacturer is more important than the warranty coverage during the later years of the warranty.

Even if problems of workmanship arise after the workmanship warranty has lapsed, a reliable contractor usually will want to stand behind his work.

Q. What is the company's track record for solving customer complaints?
A.
*Try to find out how your contractor handles problems when they do arise. Request a referral from a job that involved a complaint.

*Ask the contractor if he has ever lost a job-related court case.

*Ask if the contractor's license has ever been suspended and why.

Also, in talking to the appropriate authorities, such as the Better Business Bureau and licensing departments, find out if any complaints have been filed against the contractors whom you have interviewed. Many contractors in business for any length of time have been involved in a dispute. Ask how the dispute was resolved to test your contractor's reputation.

Q. Do I need to be home at the start of the job or during installation?
A. No. Our crews are professional and highly trained. Our only need might be outside electricity IF we have any bad wood.

Q. How long will it take to complete my job?
A. That is a question that will vary depending on the size of your home and will be covered by our salesman when he presents you with your estimate. Most jobs are completed the same day.

Q. How will the weather affect my job?
A. Due to the nature of our business, the weather plays a huge role in scheduling and production. However, we are professionals and will do whatever it takes to protect your home during the application of your new roof.

Q. I have a satellite dish, will you put it back on?
A. We will remove and replace the satellite dish to its original position. However, occasionally the original installer may need to re- align it for maximum reception.

Q. Will the job be messy?
A. Yes! We have our own dump trucks and debris trailers to haul away the debris from the roof and our company policy is that the job be cleaner when we leave that it was when we get there. Also, if you have anything stored in the attic please let us know so that we can adequately protect your valuables.

Q. Do I need to get a permit?
A. No, we are fully licensed and insured and that is our responsibility. But not all cities require a permit.

Q. Will I have to be careful of nails in my tires or my kids stepping on them?
A. No, all of our crews have 3-foot roller magnets that we use to ensure not only the integrity of your tires but more importantly the safety of your children.

Q. What if there is bad or rotten wood on my roof?
A. The wood under the shingles is a major part of the roofing system and any bad wood will need to be replaced. We have no way of knowing before hand how much wood (if any) we will need so there may be an extra charge which is covered in your contract. Usually if we suspect a significant amount of wood, we can warn you prior to the start of the job and give you a "worst case" scenario cost.

Q. Is there anything that I can do as a homeowner?
A. Yes. The installation of your roof will cause a lot of vibrations and may cause knick knacks or wall hangings to fall. Therefore, it is recommended that you remove them prior to the start of the job. We will move all patio furniture, flower pots, hoses etc. away from the outside of the house at the start of the job and replace them on completion. If you have an air conditioning unit we will, if necessary, cover it to avoid debris falling into it. We recommend that you turn the unit off to avoid burning the motor up.

Q. What about our gutter guards?
A. We will do our best to replace your gutter guards but cannot be responsible if they get damaged.