CONTRACTOR CHECKLIST
Hiring a contractor you can trust with your home can be overwhelming, especially if this is the first big project you’ve ever taken on. If you’re unsure where to begin, we have a helpful checklist that will show you how to find a good contractor, including what questions to ask and warning signs to protect yourself throughout the process. The city of Bloomington and surrounding areas do not require roofers to be licensed or insured, so please hire wisely.
Below is a checklist of questions you should ask a contractor before you hire them. Doing so will save you from possible costly problems that could arise.
Questions to Ask
Is the contractor certified and bonded as a roofing contractor?
Are they well established with a permanent place of business, office phone number, and tax identification number?
Are they current on BOTH General Liability and Workers Comp Insurance?
Does the contractor offer a lien waiver?
Will the work be completed prior to any payment?
Quality Services
Is the contractor certified to install the product used by the manufacturer? *
Do they offer a workmanship warranty that is backed by the manufacturer?
Will they conduct a quality control inspection after work is completed to ensure quality?
Does the contractor tear off every roof, rather than offer layovers?
Do they have office staff to offer consistent communication via phone, text, fax, and email?
Do they meet and exceed installation specifications, such as 6 nails per shingle, ice and water barrier installed on gutter lines, valleys and wall lines to ensure maximum life of the roof?
Do they use the specified number of accessories to comply with the manufacturer warranty guidelines?
Experience
Are there a substantial number of positive reviews on Google, Facebook, BBB, etc?
(Check in with your state attorney general’s office, mycase.in.gov and the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints or claims against the business and/or business owner.)
Can the contractor offer up-to-date references upon request?
Have they been in business for at least 5 years?
Details
Does the estimate show an itemized quantity and type of materials?
Do they offer you shingle and warranty options?
Do they inform you of the roofing/project process, so you know what to expect?
Do they offer a detailed contract that is professional and exchanges signatures?
Convenience
Do they offer emergency services or a way to reach them 24/7?
Will they handle all the insurance paperwork for you?
Is the company locally owned and operated?
Do they offer warranties that are transferable if you were to sell your home?
Are the majority of their jobs one day installs?
Does the contractor register the shingle warranty on your behalf?
Warning Signs
1Are they asking for a down payment?
A reputable roofing company will never require payment until the work is completed.
2Are they offering a roof layover?
Unless old shingles are pulled up, you will not know if you have soft spots or rotten decking. If bad spots remain, you will have larger and costlier problems in the near future. Never let a roofer install a new roof on your house until they have taken up the old roof!
3Do they have inadequate credentials?
A reputable contractor can provide you their license, state tax identification, general liability and workers compensation insurance.
4Do they have a permanent business address?
If not, this may be a telltale sign they are a fly by night contractor that could take your money and run or will not be around to back their work.
5Is the contractor a jack of all trades?
Does the contractor offer a wide variety of services? When you are having work done on your roof, you want to work with a company that specializes in roofing rather than someone who works with roofing, kitchens, drywall, painting, etc.
6Are they an out of town contractor?
It is much better to work with a local company that has an established presence in the community. Beware of out of state license plates, no local address, a PO Box, or are unable to provide local references.
7Is a door-to-door salesman knocking on your door?
A reputable contractor does not knock on doors to advertise their services. This should be a huge red flag.
8Is their estimate substantially lower than other reputable roofers?
A very low bid may seem attractive, however, often a contractor offering such a low bid is uninsured, offers no warranty or performs substandard work.
9The contractor uses a vehicle that doesn’t list the business name.
This is a tell-tale sign that the contractor is not established and will very likely not meet many items on this checklist.
10A contractor refuses to provide a written contract or a written statement of your right to cancel.
A written contract protects the homeowner as well as the contractor. A reputable contractor will provide a written statement of your right to cancel the contract within three business days if you signed it in your home or at a location other than the seller’s permanent place of business.