Hiring a Roofing Contractor Checklist – What You Need to Know
The average roofing job costs thousands of dollars – depending on the project, we’re talking five figures. These are expensive projects that, if done improperly, can double the amount you have to spend getting the job redone. That’s why finding a reliable roofing company in Toronto is absolutely necessary. A hiring a roofing contractor checklist is necessary to making sure that you work with skilled craftspeople who will get your job done right the first time. That way you don’t have to worry about botched jobs and lost money.
Hiring a Roofing Contractor Checklist – Five Key Things to Look for
1. Check their history
One of the best ways to vet roofing contractors is to check out their history. If they’ve been in business for a long time, that’s a good sign that they’ve been doing good enough work to keep customers coming back, attracting new customers, and just generally have been able to complete the work they’re tasked with to the satisfaction of the people hiring them. Hiring a roofing contractor is fraught – scams are not uncommon. But when the contractor has a long track record of reliable roof repairs and installations, you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands.
2. Check their reviews
There are tons of ways that you can gauge a business’s reputation by checking out their online presence and reviews. Now it’s worth remembering that you tend to see extremes – online reviews are notoriously either effusive with praise or rage-fuelled frustration venting. That said, that doesn’t mean they don’t have value. And besides, just seeing the positive to negative review ratio can help you find a reliable contractor. If multiple people are complaining about the same thing, it’s likely not a fluke or a bad customer – it means it’s a habit of the business.
3. Make sure they provide written estimates
One of the oldest scams in the book by disreputable contractors is to avoid providing a written estimate. They may say you don’t need one or that one is coming upon further review (but will start work before you ever see that estimate) or provide all sorts of caveats – these are all red flags. The best way to find a reliable contractor for your roofing project is get the estimate in writing well before they start working. While things do change and estimates can at times be different than the final cost due to unforeseen circumstances or previously undiscovered issues, generally the estimate should approach the final price.
4. Make sure they provide contracts
It sounds a bit redundant – find a contractor that provides a contract. But you’d be shocked how many people work on handshake deals, only to have the contractor renege and ask for more money or other considerations. And if you don’t comply, they may leave your roof half-complete and your whole home vulnerable to the elements, so you have to scramble to find someone else to come in and finish the job. This is a really tough situation to be in, and the best way to avoid it is by working with contractors that live up to their name and get things down in writing.
- What to ask for in the contract
Building on the last point, your roofing contractor checklist should include a well-prepared and considered contract. This contract should include:
- The name of the contractor or their company, their address, and contact information
- A detailed description of the project (what’s to be done, roofing materials to be used, dates, etc.)
- The written estimate or quote with an itemized list of labour/material
- Payment terms (time period, method, etc.)
- Responsibilities clearly outlined (who cleans up after the job, for instance)
- Liabilities (who would be responsible should your neighbour’s property get damaged, for instance)
- Warranties on all materials and productsÂ
5. Make sure they protect their workers
When hiring a roofing contractor, you want to make sure that they follow the proper standards and regulations in place to ensure that they will perform the job safely. These standards are clearly outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Safety isn’t just important from a humane standpoint of not wanting anybody to get hurt, but also from a standpoint of liability. The last thing you want is someone getting hurt on the job and you potentially being liable. Ensuring that safety practices are followed to the letter is a great way to avoid liability and keep workers safe.
Hiring a Roofing Contractor Checklist Done – Now You’re Ready to Work with a Leading Roofing Contractor in Toronto
Now that you have your checklist ready to go, you’re better able to vet the best roofers in Toronto. But we’ll go ahead and save you some time – Dominion Roofing is a contractor that you can trust to get the job done on time, without hidden costs, and without headaches.
How do we do it? We use our over 100 years of experience helping millions of residents of the GTA get roof repairs or roof installations. We’re able to help with virtually any roofing project, whether that’s flat roofing jobs (also known as industrial roofing) or residential, from new roof installations to roof repairs to roof tune-ups that keep them looking great, keeping out the elements, and helping you avoid more costly repairs down the line.
Our business currently maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. We’ve been in this business a long time and know exactly what it takes to get your roofing job done right the first time. Best yet, we always are sure to be totally transparent on our contracts and estimates, so you’re never shocked by the bill at the end of the job.
Get a quote today or give us a call at 416-789-0601. You can also email us at in**@*************ng.com. We’re ready to handle any roofing job you need done.
