!
A permanent place of business
- Look for a contractor that has a permanent location, business phone number, tax and
re-sale number, and a county business license. These demonstrate a real commitment to the roofing business and
provide you with better
service. Remember: your roofing contractor becomes a
"partner" in your home for decades to come. Select someone you
know you can count on for the long term.
!
Experience - Check
out actual job sites and see work done by the contractor
that are similar to the specification and design proposed for your own work,
and look for a contractor that has been here for the
duration.
!
Financial stability -
a proven business track record and a long term commitment to the industry to
know he will be there when you need him.
!
Proof of insurance -
ask to see certificates of insurance for workers'
compensation insurance offering coverage in California and
Nevada. This is required by law. (Note: If the company named on the policy
is not a roofing company, check with the carrier to make certain that
roofing activities are covered - many exclude roofing.) There is a
growing number of licensed contractors that claim to the regulators they
have no employees, therefore do not pay workers' compensation premiums.
The contractor should have liability insurance
in the event of property damage or personal injury to people other than it’s
employees. Both workers' compensation and liability insurance carriers
gladly provide certificates evidencing this coverage. Remember: you may be
responsible for injuries and your
homeowner's insurance may excludes coverage of claims by
unlicensed contractors and their employees.
!
Bonding and licensing
- your contractor must have a valid current contractor's license for the
work they are proposing issued by the state. Call the license board to
ascertain that contractor is in good standing.
For California residents call 800/321-2752 or search on the web at the California
Contractors' State License Board.
For Nevada residents call 775/688-1141or search on the web at the
Nevada
State
Contractors'
State License Board.
You will also find other helpful information at these websites.
Note: A general contractor is not permitted to bid roofing unless the
work includes three or more unrelated trades. Also, the State of California
requires all licensed contractors to have the "Home Improvement
Contractor" [HIC] license for all jobs over $500.00.
!
References
- investigate reputations with the building departments, material
suppliers, and check with previous customers to see if they had complete
satisfaction with workmanship and materials used, service, punctuality, etc.
Your contractor should be eager to provide references.
!
Warranties - ones
that cover both workmanship and materials.
. . . And
beware of:
! Contractors that want excessive deposits before culminating a contract.
! Seasonal contractors that are here in the summer time and gone in the
winter when you need emergency service.
! Contractors who don't explain the importance of ventilation and
composition roofing, and that the lack of adequate ventilation can
invalidate your composition roofing warranty.
! Contractors who purport ventilation can be achieved on a exposed beam
ceiling design by simply installing a ridge vent along the top.
! The company or salesperson
says your home will be used for advertising purposes and that you will be
given a special low price, or that the price is available only if you sign
the contract "today".
