Whether you're looking for a roof inspection for your new home, seeking out a company for roof repairs, or checking out options for an entirely new roof, you must find a dependable and trustworthy roofing company. Choosing the wrong company has significant implications for your home. You could end up with shoddy work that costs you thousands of extra dollars or puts your family in danger. You could also end up with a contractor that recommends unnecessary repairs and replacements, forcing you to spend money you could better use elsewhere. Use this guide to support you in your search for a New Hampshire roofing contractor.
Finding Potential Contractors
This is a serious enough investment that you probably don't just want to choose a company and move forward with them automatically. By weighing different options and comparing what they have to offer, you can make a choice that you're confident about. You may want to start by talking to trusted friends and family members in your area. Their experiences—good or bad—can tell you which companies to consider or stay away from.
Online reviews are a really good source of information. You don't just want to look at how good or bad the reviews are; you should also look at where the reviews are and how many there are. If a company has excellent reviews but you can't find anything about them outside of their website, that's concerning. If a company has reviews on their own website but also has a presence on Google reviews, Facebook reviews, and other sites, that's a good sign of a legitimate company. Additionally, take a look at their negative reviews to see how they respond. Do the same issues come up again and again in these reviews? Does the owner respond in a professional way or do they lash out at negative reviews?
Confirming Licenses and Insurance
Before you move forward with a roofing contractor, you must ensure that they are properly licensed and have the necessary insurance to operate safely. At the state level, New Hampshire does not have special licensing requirements for roofers. However, roofers may choose to pursue certification or other forms of licensure if they choose. Additionally, roofers that work with asbestos do have to be licensed, so this may provide additional insight into a company's experience and knowledge.
Why is insurance so important? You never know what will happen on a project, and you want a roofing company that is prepared for the unexpected. If someone gets injured while working on your roof, it's helpful knowing that the company's workers' compensation insurance will cover it. If they make a mistake that costs you money, commercial insurance may be used to make you whole and help you avoid the stress of a lawsuit.
Comparing Price Quotes
Now that you have a shorter list of potential roofing contractors in New Hampshire, it's time to confirm availability and pricing. Some companies are so busy that they may not be able to see you for weeks or even months—assuming you have a more pressing need, this allows you to strike them from the list right away. For companies that do have availability, you should request quotes for the type of work you need done. Comparing quotes gives you a better sense of that the norm is for the type of work you're requesting. Any quotes that fall far outside the normal range warrant a second look. A quote that's too good to be true may be a sign of a company that cuts corners, uses low-quality materials, or does not have the necessary insurance coverage to be doing this type of work. Extremely high quotes may be a sign that a company does extraordinary work, but they may also indicate that the company takes advantage of consumers. Figure out what range you're comfortable with and narrow the list from there.
Assessing Experience and Skill
Roofing is a field where experience really makes a difference. Any roofing contractor worth considering will be happy to talk to you about their experience in the field, the range of projects they've worked on, and their areas of expertise. This extends to the areas where they do not feel comfortable working, as a roofer willing to give outside recommendations for work that's beyond their scope is likely trustworthy. You may want to ask about any additional training or certification the roofing company has sought out in order to hone their skills and provide even better service to customers.
Checking Out References and Other Projects
Reliable roofing contractors are usually ready and willing to talk about their past projects and provide references. Homeowners who are happy with the work done by a contractor can give you some insight into what to expect, what the process looks like, and the benefits of choosing a particular company. If a company provides references, look for important details that can help you make your decision—did the company finish on time? How has their work held up over time? Was the contractor communicative or did the client have to chase them down for updates?
If the contractor has a portfolio of past projects, this can also give you useful information about their experience and the type of work they usually do.
Going Over Contract Details
As you prepare to finalize your decision, go over the contract details for the roofing contractor you are considering. A contract is absolutely necessary for work of this nature. It should clearly outline what you are having done, the timeframe, the cost, the materials that will be used, and what will happen if the contractor experiences unexpected delays or setbacks. The contract should also give information on the company's warranty and what it covers.
Finding a trustworthy and reliable roofing company can help you
get additional years out of your roof. While it does take some work to find the
right company for your needs, putting in this extra time can pay off for
decades to come. Ready to find out if Master Roofers is the right company for
you? Let's talk. Give us a call at 603-932-4841 or fill out our online
contact form now.