If you’re about to get your roof done – you’ve probably got a lot of questions that need asking. Don’t worry – while getting your home re-roofed can be expensive, it needn’t be stressful. If you’re not sure exactly what work your roof needs – this article might be for you.

We’re going to help you find the best roofer for your home or business by giving you a number of different questions to ask potential contractors.

Remember – just because you’ve invited a company to visit your home and give you a quote, that doesn’t mean you have to go with them. If some of the answers to these questions don’t ring true or simply make your feel unsure about doing business with them – then don’t.

The right roofing contractor should be able to give you competent answers to all these questions, and you don’t want to get stuck with a poor-quality team when there are so many good ones out there.

So, here are some questions to ask a roofer before you agree to hire them

#1 How long do they think the job will take?

This one’s important – there can be a vast range of estimates from different contractors, depending on the size of the team and if they’ll only be working on your house before they start the next job. Some contractors take multiple jobs at a time meaning they won’t be rushing to finish your site or even be at your home every day.

If you’re having your roof completely replaced – you’ll want it fixed as quickly as possible. Having days where the roof is open could be risky in certain weather conditions – and it’s just not really something you want to leave unfinished, is it?

If your potential contractor can’t give you a reasonably specific estimate as to how long it’ll take – you might want to look elsewhere.

#2 What specific roof solution do they recommend?

Be careful that some contractors aren’t simply recommending the most expensive option. If you feel like this is the case – ask around for more quotes from other firms.

While completely re-roofing might be the right choice for your home, it could alternatively be better suited to a quicker solution like overlaying. See what they recommend and ask them why. And importantly…

#3 What will it cost?

There’s a huge difference in price between overlaying an existing shingle roof and completely replacing one. Although re-roofing might be more expensive, it should also last longer, and could even add value to your home.

Not only does the type of roof work vary in cost – but so do the contractors. You normally get what you pay for, and those in high demand will be able to charge more for a better quality job, but this isn’t always the case. So try and shop around.

Again, cost can vary depending on things like how big the team is and how long the job will take to complete, as well as how big your actual roof is.

#4 How much experience have they got?

You won’t really want to go with an inexperienced team unless you’re super-desperate for a low price. Make sure the local roof contractor you choose has tons of experience doing a good job – they should have plenty of references from people who’ve been happy with their work.

#5 Can you see some finished roofs?

Ask if there are any roofs they have worked on nearby that you can have a quick look at. Failing that, ask for a few happy customers who you can call to check. If they can’t provide you with any of this information, you might want to treat carefully.

If they’ve been doing the job for a while in your local area – they should have plenty of people who’ve been happy with their work. If they don’t – you need to know why.

#6 Do they have any relevant qualifications?

While many quality tradespeople learn on the job and do so without actual qualification – you might want to see if your potential contractor has any. Especially if the location they work in requires it.

Aside from roof work, they may have a number of auxiliary qualifications that supplement their roof work – like health and safety certificates.

#7 How many team-members will be working on your roof?

When you allow someone to work on your property, you’ll want to know how many people are going to be on-site at any one time. If you can, you’d like to know exactly who’s working on your property.

Some teams have variable numbers with new and different workers arriving every day – and this can be off-putting to certain homeowners who don’t want different people entering their property without knowing who they are. If this is an issue for you – ask the relevant questions.

#8 Where are they located?

It goes without saying that if you pick a contractor that isn’t from the local area – it’ll be harder to evaluate their work. It might also make commuting to the job more difficult and could lead to complications with traffic and other issues.

It’s normally better to go with someone in your local area – especially if they come recommended from someone you know.

#9 What level of access will they need to your roof?

Depending on where you live and what the situation of your property is – you might need to evaluate how they’re going to get to the roof. Are there trees in the way – can scaffolding or ladders be easily put in place.

Some jobs might become more expensive if specialist equipment is needed to get to the roof in the first place.

#10 Are they fully licensed and insured?

Depending on your location – your roofer might need specific licensing to carry out the job – so this is something you’ll need to check. You’ll also want to make sure they’re insured to carry out the job.

#11 Will there be a warranty on the roof?

If you notice a problem with the roof not long after the job has been completed – will there be any comeback? Most high-quality roofers will be proud of their work and should be happy to offer a warranty in confidence as they know a problem will be unlikely. If they aren’t – this could be a warning flag.

Hopefully, these questions are enough to find you the best roofer for your job.