If you have recently noticed damage to your home’s roof, or if you know your roof is getting old, it might be good to begin looking for a Cincinnati roofing company. Luckily, the city registration program for contractors requires permits for all residential and commercial work and only licensed and properly registered contractors can get permits. While this program helps protect homeowners from unreliable, shady contractors, it is still important for individuals to know how to make sure they are hiring an excellent contractor. So, before you decide on a contractor, review the following suggestions to ensure the best outcome for your project.
1. Take Your Time
When choosing a roofer, the best plan is to take your time and consider the options. This ensures that you won’t have to repeat the process again due to poor-quality roofing contractors. Unless you have an emergency roofing situation on your hands, try to take at least five days or a week to thoroughly investigate your roofing options.
2. Never Pay in Advance
Never offer or agree to pay a contractor in advance, and do not use your credit card to make payments or deposits. This can help you avoid becoming the victim of a scam. To be on the safe side, always ensure any negotiated deposit payments amount to no more than one-half of the cost of your job. Providing payment based on the pace of the job is also a viable option. Make sure the company you are working with has a physical location. It is not uncommon for storm chasers to swoop in, collect a deposit, and then disappear. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.
3. Get Several Bids
If you don’t have a contractor you know and trust, get a few bids from different roofers in your area. Spend time researching the companies you decide to get quotes from rather than simply choosing the first few that come up on a Google search. Use the Better Business Bureau ratings as a reference and don’t hesitate to reach out to family and friends for recommendations.
4. Review Your Contract
When it comes to establishing a contract for roofing repairs and replacements, be sure yours includes the following items:
- Name, phone number, and full address of the contractor in charge of the job
- A comprehensive description of the scope of work
- A written statement confirming all promises communicated by the contractor
- A price breakdown and comprehensive explanation of labor and materials used, including the quality of materials
- The dates payments are due
- The start and end dates of construction
6. Acknowledge How Long It Takes for Contractors to Make Estimates
If a contractor promises you an estimate by a specific date, you have every right to expect it then. A late bid may indicate the contractor does not honor his or her word, which is not a quality you want in your contractor. If you want a reliable contractor, choose one who gets the estimate to you on time. If a contractor falls short on his or her promises, it is likely that your project will end up facing delays. To ensure your Cincinnati roof repair or replacement is not a prolonged event, it may be best for you to pursue other options.
