Homeowners sometimes forget that hiring a contractor to work on your home is like hiring an employee. While you may not have any direct experience or knowledge, you are hiring the contractor’s expertise, experience, and skills. When you need a residential roofer, taking the time to interview a few different contractors will help in selecting the professional you are most comfortable with.
Types of Roofers
In Fairfax, VA, there are a lot of different types of roofers and roofing companies and services. Ideally, it is essential to choose from an established contractor, which allows you to review the past work as well as the ability to complete the job to the schedule and within your budget.
Never use a residential roofer advertising his or her business as a “handyman.” This creates real problems if there is ever an issue with shingles that results in insurance or a warranty claim. Always use a licensed, professional contractor that can provide references to past roofing projects in the Fairfax, VA area.
There is one other group of roofers to be very cautious about. These are roofing companies that show up after large hail, wind or rain storms or even after tornados or hurricanes. These companies can often be scamming homeowners and insurance companies alike. By choosing an established, local company, this is not a concern as the company is not going to disappear after or even before the work is completed.
Ask About Scope of the Project
Always talk to the residential roofer about the specifics of the job. Most roof replacements will require removal of the old roof, installation of new edges to the roof and new flashing.
Ask about the timing of the project and how long it will take from start to completion. More complex roofs will take longer, but an experienced roofer should be able to provide an accurate timeline after the roof initial roof inspection is completed.
