Having a roof over our heads is very important to most of us, so when our roof starts to leak or the shingles start to show signs of wear, we know we need to find a roofer fast.

That’s where anxiety can start. Roofing is expensive (and it’s hard to get excited about spending that kind of money on home improvements that we can’t brag about to friends and family), and we’ve all heard horror stories about bad experiences with contractors.

Fortunately, with a little advice, you’ll be equipped to find the perfect roofer for your project, and your new roof will be ready quickly and at a fair price.

Starting

The first step is to put together a list of roofers to choose from. The best place to start is to ask friends and family for a referral. This reference should be based on people who have worked with a roofer, not just knowing them. Satisfied customers are always eager to share their positive experience, so ask for details… how the job went, was it done on time, was done on budget, and the price seemed competitive.

Other sources for roofers include websites (not necessarily the classified websites like Craigslist.org, but rather the sites where customers rate their experiences and recommend, like AngiesList.com), other contractors you’ve previously worked with, and homepages. yellow.

I would trust short-term advertisements less, whether online or in local newspapers. It’s best to deal with an unknown roofer who plans to be around for at least the 12 months he has to commit to with the yellow pages.

So by now you should have a short list of possible candidates. It’s always good to have 2 or 3 offers to choose from, and that will probably require contacting at least 4 or 6 contractors, so start calling and making appointments to get offers.

Meeting with the roofers

When the roofer shows up, you’ll have a good idea of ​​how the job will go. Some won’t show up; cross them off your list and DO NOT attempt to reschedule. Another roofer might be late: This is a big indication that he doesn’t respect your time, and he’s probably late for work as well. Pay attention to this indicator early or you will regret it later.

Assuming your roofer shows up, in addition to the price, find out:

• Are they licensed and insured? (The answers to both must be yes, and if you select the roofer, you must verify both by calling: unscrupulous contractors have been known to obtain insurance cards and then cancel their insurance, leaving them with a card but no real insurance.)
• Will the proper permits be obtained before work begins? (You must see the permit before they begin work.)
• Do you use subcontractors? (Many do; if so, you need to get a lien release before you make the payment. Otherwise, if your subs don’t pay, the subs can put a lien against your house!)

Hiring your best choice

Once you find a roofer you like and agree on a fair price, the last step is payment terms. It is customary to pay a portion up front, which usually covers materials. After the first payment, progressive payments will depend on the size of the job, but the final payment should be held until the job is completed to your satisfaction (including cleanup).