Typically, Roofing Companies offer services from a handful of general contractors, specializing in various roofing business aspects. These general contractors typically hire a staff of licensed roofing specialists who have specific experience in your field. Most likely, your business will provide a one-year warranty on completed roof installation. However, even the best roofing companies can fall short in one area or another. Here are some examples of the typical areas in which they can fall short:
General repairs. No matter how much money a roofer makes, it’s not worth the risk to consumers when the job is already underway. In most cases, homeowners call roofing companies to fix their roofs because it’s the simplest solution available. After all, there are dozens of different types of shingles, each of which requires different repair techniques and methods. For example, a small leak inside a gutter is easily fixed with some taping and paper tape, but if there’s a larger leak inside a wall or ceiling, it might require insulation, bailing, or even pulling out the ceiling so that work can be done on the leaky part.
Specific repairs. Sometimes, no matter how many times these roofing companies tell homeowners they should call a licensed company for roofing repairs, homeowners just don’t listen. Regardless, of how minor a repair may seem, homeowners are more apt to accept their contractor’s word than to look into it themselves. This problem is especially problematic when it comes to leaky roofs.
No workmanship warranty. Many roofing companies tack on a workmanship warranty to their work, but there’s no guarantee that the warranty will be honored in the event of damage or loss. Some contractors also recommend getting an unlimited amount of workmanship warranties, but these policies are often unnecessary and over-priced.
No insurance money. A large portion of the cost of having a roof replaced comes from insurance claims. Roofing companies make it their business to know exactly how to avoid making a homeowner to pay insurance money on a roof repair or remodel project. This often means shoddy workmanship, shortcuts, or shortcuts taken to save time. Unfortunately, many homeowners unwittingly pay for these mistakes and insurance companies eventually foot the bill.
No written estimate. It’s typical for roofing companies to offer a written estimate to a client, but those estimates are rarely prepared correctly. They often include estimates from multiple people who have completed similar work, which increases the risk of the final price being much higher than the initial estimate. If a roofing company makes such estimates without your approval, you have the right to request a written estimate from the contractor. You should look over the estimate closely for errors, and omissions, as well as details about payment methods and timescales. Any inaccuracies can be quite costly.
No contract. Most roofing companies require a contract (or agreement) when they start working. The contract generally outlines the scope of work, the costs, and the time frame. It also spells out who is responsible for repairing damage to the property in case the roofing company encounters unforeseen problems. Although some contractors attempt to use the pre-written estimate provided by the roofing company, most often they add their own fees and charges. A good contractor will have no problem providing a completely written estimate that includes all necessary elements.
Excessive fees. As the old saying goes, “you get what you pay for.” In most cases, roofing contractors have little regard for a roof repair cost, and many contractors will demand high fees upfront before completing work on a home. Unfortunately, this may also be a catch-22 since inexperienced homeowners may not be able to afford such high prices, and if the contractor does not complete the job on time, they may not be paid at all.