ImproveIT! of Atlanta

When you need to get your roof repaired or replaced, it’s never recommended that you try to do things on your own. After all, if you’re inexperienced, you might be putting yourself at risk of injuries or mistakes that can be costly to rectify. As such, it’s highly recommended that you hire a roofing company to get the job done in your stead. However, before you sign the dotted line on the contract that a potential contractor gives you, be sure to ask them a few questions first, such as:

• Do You Use Subcontractors? – It’s not uncommon for roofing companies to use subcontractors on the job, especially if they’re currently short on manpower due to certain circumstances. However, it’s still nice to know if your potential contractor does use subcontractors for roofing projects and as such, this is one of the questions that you should always ask when hiring a roofer. Afterwards, verify that these contractors have workman’s compensation and general liability insurance to ensure that you’re protected from responsibility should any mishaps occur. Apart from that, when subcontractors are being used, it’s also recommended that you pick up lien waivers so you’ll be protected in the event that your contractor doesn’t pay the subcontractors.

• Are You Licensed and Insured? – This is one of the most important questions that you ask your roofer when you’re hiring them for your roof replacement project. According to experts, you should only hire someone who’s licensed to perform such jobs in your state as this is a sign that they are educated in the intricacies of the profession and are willing to comply with the building codes of your area. Apart from that, when a contractor has a license, it will also give you legal recourse should something go wrong with the work. 

Other than their licenses, you should also ask if your contractor has a workman’s comp insurance and general liability insurance. That way, you can protect yourself from being held responsible if your property sustains damage or a roofer becomes injured on the job. If they have neither licenses nor insurance policies, don’t hesitate to part ways with their company and find someone else instead.

• Will You Be Removing My Old Roof? – When you’re getting a roofing project done for your home, take the time to also ask your roofer if they’ll be removing your old roof. This is because while it’s not unheard of for some roofers to shingle over the old roof to save up on costs, this isn’t a practice that you’ll want applied to your home. According to experts, if your contractor merely performs an overlay instead of a full roof replacement, this can cause your new roof to deteriorate earlier than expected as issues such as soft or rotten spots won’t be addressed and repaired, creating larger problems for your home in the near future. With that in mind, if your contractor insists that an overlay will do for your roof, either demand that they do the full replacement or don’t sign the contract and find a different roofer to fully replace your roof instead.

• What is Your Physical Address and Phone Number? – When hiring roofers for a project, make sure that they have a physical location that you can visit as a roofer operating out of a P.O. box is usually a red flag that can lead to you getting scammed. As such, always insist on getting the physical address of your roofer as well as their phone number. That way, you won’t just be able to feel secure in the knowledge that you can just go to them if you need something but you can also verify that they’re a local business who can respond to any roofing emergencies you may experience immediately.

If you live in the state of Georgia, on the other hand, you can simplify your search for a local roofing contractor by turning to the roofing pros of ImproveIT! of Atlanta to have your roof repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

• Will You Have a Project Manager Onsite? – Before your roof replacement project starts, be sure to ask your contractor if they or a project manager will be onsite. That way, you’ll know that you’ll have someone to talk to in case you have any questions in regards to your roofing project. Apart from that, you should also take the time to get to know the project manager so you’ll be able to determine if they’re as reliable as they claim to be. If your contractor claims that their workers are so experienced that they don’t need the supervision of a project manager, don’t hire them and instead find a contractor who can spare a project manager for your roofing project.

• What is the Warranty on My New Roof? – When you’re having a roof replacement project done for your home, you should expect to get at least 25 years out of your new shingles and as such, the warranty should be at the same length. If the warranty and the roof’s lifespan that your contractor is offering is less than 25 years, you should either question this or find a different company to get a longer lasting roof instead.

• Will You Be Providing a Written Estimate? – A detailed written estimate is your best friend when you’re having your roof repaired or replaced. With that in mind, before you sign the contract that binds you to a single roofing company, make sure that they give you a detailed estimate for the job first. That way, you’ll know the costs of the old roof’s removal, the new roof’s installation, materials, and anything else that will be involved in the roofing project. Once you have this, you won’t be caught off guard by the costs when the work is done. If your roofer refuses to provide a written estimate for the job, take it as a red flag and part ways with their company to find a better contractor like ImproveIT! of Atlanta instead.

• Are You Bringing a Container for Refuse Material? – A roofing project produces a lot of trash for your home such as the old shingles, old plywood, nails, drip edge, etc. This can create a huge pile of refuse for your home. While not every contractor usually brings a container for refuse material, it wouldn’t hurt to ask your company if they can still do so as clean up is usually part of their job. If they refuse, you can either try to negotiate with them to have a dumpster brought to your home or find a different contractor to get the job done for you.

Need someone who can help you maintain your roof? Simply turn to the pros of ImproveIT! of Atlanta. If you’re in the market for an expert who can help you with your roofing and restoration projects, we are the number one experts that you can trust. Not only do we have 12 years of experience under our belts but we are also focused and committed to giving every homeowner the quality service that they deserve. Give us call at (770) 612-5635 or fill out our contact form to get a FREE estimate. We serve homeowners in Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Marietta, and other nearby areas in GA.