When you hire a professional roofing contractor to take on a roofing job for your home, it’s important to ensure you understand exactly what the contractor plans to do. It’s your home, after all! You should feel confident asking your contractor any questions you may have throughout the process. At Intelligent Design Corporation, we provide our customers with thorough communication to enhance their confidence in our work.
While we’ll guide you through the entire process, there are several questions you can have prepared prior to your roofing project’s beginning. These questions will help you feel confident and in-control, not to mention ensure that the contractor and you are on the same page! Our team of roofing contractors details just a few of these helpful questions below.
Will This Project Require the Complete Removal of the Old Roof?
This is an important question because while some roofing jobs do require the removal of the entire old roof, not every roofing project does. Whether or not your entire roof needs to be replaced can determine how long the project will last and the overall cost of the project.
What’s the Protocol for Bad Weather During the Project?
Changes in weather can impact the timeline of your roofing project. Prior to having a contractor start repairs on your roof, you should ask them what will happen in terms of rain, hail, and other weather conditions should they arise during the work. A contractor may have a unique approach and wait time in between storms and rain. Asking this question helps you to know what to expect if the unexpected comes your way.
What’s the New Roof’s Warranty?
Prior to installing the new roof, ask your contractor about the warranty that will come with the addition. Depending on the level of involvement with your project, your warranty may differ. You should have a good understanding of your roof’s warranty in case any unforeseen damage occurs to your new roof.
How Will my Landscape Be Protected?
A roofing project can be messy; you should take the time to inquire about how your roofing contractor intends to protect your home’s landscaping. Surrounding shrubs, flowers, and trees should remain safe throughout the duration of the project, and each contractor will have their own way of going about this.
What Do I Need to Do in the Case of Unforeseen Circumstances?
Before the work begins, you’ll receive a written contract detailing the scope—the extent—of the work. In this contract, you should find a detailed breakdown of material expenses and labor costs. While both you and the roofing company want to stick to this contract as much as you possibly can, roofing is a business in which the unexpected is more likely than one might think. If this is the case with your roofing project and the contractor finds something that needs doing that wasn’t in the original contract, you’ll want to know ahead of time what steps you’ll need to take next. A project scope that needs a sudden change is stressful enough; preparation on your end is key to a smooth experience.
Some contractors, to make matters simpler, will have provisions in their original contract which described estimated costs for certain common work additions. Not all are detailed, though, so be sure to ask your contractor about their standard protocol.
What Is the Payment Schedule?
If your residential roofing pro is worth their salt, they’ll be more than forthcoming about when your payments are due. That being said, it never hurts to have a detailed conversation about it, just to make sure you’re both on the same page.
According to Contracts Counsel, a legal resource for construction pros, “it is common for an initial deposit to be made when the project is scheduled, a second payment to be made when the materials are delivered to the home, and then a final payment to be made when the work is complete.” Each contractor has their own way of doing things, though, so this doesn’t always hold true.
But one thing always does, according to the Better Business Bureau: Never pay for the entire job upfront. The Washington Post details why: “If your contractor takes off or does poor work, you’ll never ever get all your money back (not to mention attorneys’ fees should you pursue legal action).” For more information on how to spot a fraudulent roofing contractor, check out our home remodeling blog on the subject.
Intelligent Design Corporation: Reputable Roofers, Five-Star Service
When working with a trustworthy and dependable contractor such as Intelligent Design Corporation, you can rest assured the project will run smoothly and efficiently. Contact our Maple Grove office today at 763-315-0745. We look forward to helping you get the roof you need on your home.