BRAX Guide Provides 12 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofer

Before hiring a roofer, you should ask them questions about the cost of the entire project, the time required to complete the work, the shingles they use, and the warranty of the new roof. The answers to these questions will help you judge the quality of the service offered by the roofing contractor. BRAX Roofing in Gaithersburg installs a high-quality roof for you. Nevertheless, for your peace of mind, it is best to ask any potential roofing company the following questions:

Are Your Roofers Licensed?

Roofers need to have a license to work in many states. However, as the same rules do not apply to all states, you should research your area’s requirements. Only work with licensed roofers if your state requires contractors and roofers to have a license to work. It is easier to hold licensed roofers accountable for any mistake they make while working for you. Also, make sure the roofers have an updated license before you hire them. 

Do You Have Workmen’s Compensation Insurance?

Earlier employers did not need to offer workman’s compensation insurance if they employed three or fewer workers. However, now the law requires all employers to have workman’s compensation insurance. Despite this, some roofing companies do not offer this insurance; since it is costly to offer the insurance, they take the risk of not complying with the law.

If you hire a roofing company that doesn’t have workman’s compensation insurance, you may have to pay the medical bills of a roofer that gets injured while working on your property. To avoid incurring such a loss, you must hire a company that insures all the workers working on your property. 

Does The Company Have General Liability Insurance?

While the Workers’ Compensation Insurance covers the workers on your property, the General Liability Insurance provides coverage to your home. For instance, if the roofer accidentally burns your house while welding something on the roof, you might have to pay for the damages yourself if the roofing company does not carry General Liability Insurance. Even if the company claims to have the insurance, you should ask them to show their insurance certificate. You can call the insurance provider for further verification if you want to be more cautious. 

Will The Roofers Remove The Old Roof?

It is necessary to pull out the old shingles to spot the rotten wood and soft spots beneath them. If these bad spots are not fixed before the new roof is installed, you may have to face costlier issues in the future. You should ask your roofer to take out your old roof before placing a new roof over your house. 

While Installing The New Roof, Will You Install Edge Metal Or Drip Edge?

Edge metal or drip edge is a small aluminum piece placed under the shingles at the edge of the roof. This metal piece extends past your roof and makes the runoff flow into the gutters rather than behind it. If the roofer does not install an edge metal or drip edge, your property may experience water damage in the future. 

Do You Use Ladder Standoffs Or Stabilizers To Protect The Gutters While Installing The Roof?

Every roofer should use ladder standoffs or stabilizers while working. Ladder stabilizers are designed to give a better grip to your ladder, preventing you from falling or slipping from side to side. Without a stabilizer or standoff, you may get a damaged gutter system around the house after the job is done. If the roofer you have decided to hire doesn’t use such equipment, you should ask them what they do to ensure that the gutter system remains intact during the project. Do not trust them with the job if they are not able to give you a satisfactory answer. 

Additional Questions To Ask

There are a few more questions you can ask to know more about the roofing company and understand their manner of working like -Do your roofers bring their own container for the refuse material? Also, where do the roofers place these containers? Does the company have a local address and phone number? By asking these questions you’ll get more information about the roofing company and the way they work. 

As part of the general maintenance of your roof, the roofer should pay attention to the ventilation system, including turbines and fans. The roofer should check whether the installations are working properly. If they are not working properly, the roofer should determine the problem and address it. These are the essential things that will help you in accessing the genuinity of the roofer. 

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