Everything about your roofing job will be affected by the roofing contractor you choose. They have an effect on the total price, the quality of the work, and other factors regardless of whether you just need a few shingles replaced or a whole roof replaced. For this reason, it is important to hire a reliable roofing company.
At Absolute Roofing, we have provided top-notch roofing services in Kenosha WI, and surrounding areas since 2005. We strive hard to provide homeowners like you with all the information they need to make educated hiring and purchasing decisions. For this reason, here are 6 tips of what to look for in a reliable roofing contractor.
1. Look for a Local Contractor
You should only hire a roofing company that is located in and has a local phone number for the Kenosha, WI area. So, if you ever have a roofing emergency, you’ll know exactly where to find them. Keep in mind that after a major storm, some out-of-state companies will come in and undercut the prices of local roofing companies just to get the money and move on to the next town that was hit by a storm. These businesses don’t give a second thought about following any guidelines for roofing installation in your area. However, if you hire a reputable roofing company in your area, like Absolute Roofing, they will be familiar with all of the local installation codes, necessary paperwork, and other details to ensure that your roof is installed properly and in accordance with state of Wisconsin regulations.
2. Ensure the Roofing Contractor is Licensed, Bonded, and Insured
Verify that the roofing company carries the necessary licenses, bonds, and insurance in your state. Never assume that somebody has all three; always ask for documentation to back up their claims. In the event that a local roofing contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured, they will be pleased to present you with the necessary documentation. But what exactly does all this paperwork work necessarily mean for your roof?
Licensed: Simply registering with your state’s board responsible for licensing contractors is enough to obtain a license. What kind of license they need is going to be dependent on how much the job is going to cost. For instance, a general contractor’s license is required for any project that costs more than $25,000, and a home improvement license is required for any project that costs more than $3,000. Because a roof is such an important part of a building, contractors who work on them need to be fully licensed general contractors.
Absolute Roofing is licensed in the state of Wisconsin to do residential, commercial, and agricultural roofing. We are licensed in the state of Illinois to do residential and agricultural roofing.
Bonded: Simply registering with your state’s board responsible for licensing contractors is enough to obtain a license. What kind of license they need is going to be dependent on how much the job is going to cost. For instance, a general contractor’s license is required for any project that costs more than $25,000, and a home improvement license is required for any project that costs more than $3,000. Because a roof is such an important part of a building, contractors who work on them need to be fully licensed general contractors.
Insured: All contractors should have general liability insurance, worker’s compensation insurance, and a company vehicle insurance policy on all of their vehicles, whether they own them or not. Worker’s comp limits and general liability insurance limits depend on how big the contractor’s jobs are and what state they are in. If they only do small jobs for homeowners, their general liability won’t be as high as a company that does bigger jobs.
We at Absolute Roofing are fully insured and bonded and can provide you our certificates of insurance upon request.
3. Look for an Experienced Roofing Contractor
It’s important to learn how long a roofing company has been operational before hiring them to replace your roof. Find a roofing company that has been around for a while and has a solid reputation in the Kenosha, WI area. Companies that have not been in business long tend to charge less for their work, however, they do not bring the experience necessary to ensure that the work is done properly. Thus, you may end up spending more within a year or so to repair damage by work being done poorly or quickly.
Absolute Roofing is a family-owned business since 2005 and is proud to call the state of Wisconsin home.
4. Find a Contractor That Stands Behind Their Work
You can safeguard your roof investment with a warranty. Both the roofing materials and the contractor’s labor will be covered under the first warranty. If your roof is installed incorrectly or other problems arise during the project, the contractor’s workmanship warranty will cover the costs. Any reputable roofing company worth its salt will stand behind the quality of its work with a guarantee of some sort. Taking such measures demonstrates that the company values its work and is willing to stand behind it in the event of an issue. Instead, you should look elsewhere for a roofing contractor if they don’t guarantee their job.
With Absolute Roofing, all of our products are warranted by the manufacturer. Extended warranties are also available for purchase.
5. Read Reviews on the Roofing Contractor’s Website or Social Media
In today’s digital age, it’s easier than ever to get a reliable roofer, plumber, carpenter, or pretty much anyone else you might require. Customers rely heavily on reviews when making purchasing decisions. It’s important to look at reviews that have been posted within the last two to three months while researching possible roofing contractors. This guarantees that you are hearing about recent successes and failures as a homeowner. Whether or not a roofer delivers high-quality service is something you can learn a lot about simply by reading reviews. That doesn’t mean you should blindly trust any review you read. However, if a roofing firm guarantees its work, communicates well with its clients, and operates ethically, it will likely be reflected in its ratings and comments.
Absolute Roofing is proud of the reviews on our website from customers in Kenosha WI and surrounding areas. Check them out here.
6. Ask For References from the Roofing Contractor
It’s important to check references before hiring a roofing contractor. Request that any contractor who offers you a quote show you examples of past work they’ve done within the last three to six months. A reliable roofing company will have no problem providing you with references upon request. But if they refuse to provide references, you should go elsewhere to install your new roof.
It can be difficult to find and hire the best roofing contractor because there are so many variables to think about. Our residential and commercial roofing crew at Absolute Roofing is made up of highly trained professionals and are hear to answer any questions you have. Since 2005, our clients in Kenosha, WI have relied on us to consistently deliver superior results. If you are looking for a dependable roofing company, contact us today for your free estimate.