7 Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor Before Hiring Them

As a homeowner, one of the most important things you should prioritize is the health of your roofing system. Your roof, after all, protects you and your family from outside elements and boosts the curb appeal of your home. If your roof has sustained damage such as leaking or missing shingles, you need to get in touch with a professional roofing company for roof repair or replacement. 

An expert roofer will inspect the damage and perform the necessary repairs to prevent further damage. However, before signing the contract, you need to make sure that your potential roofer is qualified and capable of fixing the damage the first time around. Keep in mind that roofing work is a complex job, so you need an experienced roofer who knows what they’re doing. 

To ensure that your roof receives the best treatment possible, Summit Roofing & Restoration, Inc. shares seven questions you should ask your roofing contractor before hiring them. 

1. Are You a Licensed Roofer?

One way to guarantee top-quality repairs or replacements is by hiring a licensed roofer. However, while plenty of states needs a roofer to be licensed to perform roofing work, not all have this requirement. For this reason, be sure to research the code requirements in your area. When vetting a prospect roofer, make sure to check if their license is up to date. 

2. Do You Carry Insurance?

There are two types of insurance you should ask about: worker’s compensation and general liability. The ideal roofer should carry both. In the event a crew member suffers an injury on your property, you might find yourself legally and financially responsible for the medical bills if your roofer does not have worker’s compensation insurance. As such, you need to make sure that the roofing company you hire insures each crew member that will work on your property. 

As for the latter, the general liability insurance covers your actual property. Property damage during roof replacement is usually a rare occurrence, but in the event, it does happen, you’ll want to make sure your roofer carries this type of insurance so you won’t have to end up paying for it out-of-pocket. A reputable roofer would provide an insurance certificate to ensure that their crew members and your property are covered.

3. Will You Remove My Old Roof?

Many bogus roofers will cut corners by visually inspecting your roofing system and then shingling over it. However, unless the old shingles are pulled up, you will never know if your roof has soft spots or rotten wood underneath the current shingles. If these are not found and repaired early, your roof will likely sustain much more severe and expensive issues in the future. An experienced roofer, on the other hand, should remove your old roof before placing a new one. 

4. Will You Install Drip or Metal Edge When Installing New Roof?

Drip or edge metal, which is typically a piece of aluminum, is placed under the shingle where it comes off of the roof. This roofing material extends past the roof and allows water runoff to flow into the gutters, instead of behind. As such, the drip edge protects your roofing system’s fascia boards and the other wooden components. Failure to install a drip edge may lead to costly moisture damage later on. Unfortunately, many roofers tend to skip over this part unless you specifically ask about the drip edge before the job. Therefore, don’t forget to ask your potential roofing contractor about drip edges. 

5. How Many Nails Will You Use?

For a standard job, a roofer should use at least four nails per shingle. However, if your home has a steep-sloped roof or if you live in a windy area, your roofer may need to use six nails for each shingle to ensure they are firmly in place. In addition, your potential roofer should also understand how the nail is installed: 

• The nail line. All shingles have a nail line that measures between 0.5 to 1 inch where the nail should be placed. If the nail is too high, it will be unable to catch the shingle below, compromising the strength of your roof. Alternatively, if it’s too low, the nail heads may be exposed to corrosion, causing gaps as your roof expands and contractors due to temperature changes. 
• Properly driven nails. A nail that is driven in too hard can tear and ruin your shingles, while a nail that is not put in tightly enough can cause the shingles above to sit up, making your roof susceptible to high winds. On the other hand, an angled nail may leave a rift for moisture damage to wreak havoc on your roofing system.

6. How Will You Protect My Landscaping When Working on My Roof?

If you have trees, shrubs, and flowers, you should ask your roofing company what they will do to protect them and your landscaping when working on your roof. For instance, ask them where they will place the old shingles to prevent damaging your beautiful garden. The ideal roofing company will take extra safety measures to ensure your landscaping remains unscathed during roof replacement or installation.

7. What Will You Do in Case of Unpredictable Storms?

If a storm strikes in the middle of removing and replacing your roof, you risk damaging your interiors. For this reason, you have to make sure your roofer has a plan for this situation. A reputable roofer, for example, should have the work zone covered in plastic sheathing or tarpaulin so that your interior remains dry and safe. Moreover, you should ask your roofer what their plan is if the storm extends for a long period. Will the company come back to check if the house is dry? Will someone secure the covering if it’s not holding in case of high windstorms?

Here at Summit Roofing & Restoration, Inc., rest assured our team of expert contractors is committed to delivering the best roofing roof repair or replacement services. For Dyersburg residents, call us at (731) 589-7663; for Atoka residents, at (901) 430-1974; and for Paragould residents, at (870) 736-7663. You may also fill out our online contact form to book an appointment.