Has your roof run into problems as of late? Maybe it was affected by storm damage? Perhaps something fell on top of it?
In any case, you’re on the hunt for roof repair services in Plano, TX. While you may have an inclination to just hire the first company you come across, we urge you not to. Instead, you need to do your research.
But what things should you know before hiring Plano roof repair services? There are many of them, and we’re going to discuss them in detail below.
The Roof Contractor’s Experience Level
Whether it’s residential or commercial, roofing isn’t easy. There’s a great deal that goes into the installation, repair, and even maintenance of a roof. If a person has never performed roofing services before, or if they’ve only performed roofing services a few times, they’re not going to have a full grasp of how to go about doing so.
This is why, before hiring a roofing contractor, you need to get a feel for their experience level. You need to find out how long they’ve been doing roofing work professionally.
However, it’s important to note that not all roofing materials are made equal. So just because a roofing contractor has experience with one material doesn’t mean they can be trusted with all other roofing materials.
You want to choose a roofer who’s experienced in your material of choice. For instance, if you have cedar shakes, make sure they’re experienced in repairing cedar shakes. If you have EPDM flat roofing, make sure they’re experienced in EPDM flat roofing.
We advise choosing a company with a minimum of 2 years of experience in your given roofing material. You can verify this experience by asking for pictures of their past work.
The Roofing Contractor’s Reputation
Just as important as experience is reputation. If a roofer has a bad reputation, it’s because they provide bad or inconsistent work. If they have a good reputation, it’s because, the vast majority of the time, they please their clients.
You can get a feel for a specific roofer’s reputation by looking at websites like Facebook, Google, and the like. These have reviews from past customers, not to mention consensus star ratings. Read through these reviews and ratings to determine the level of quality that a specific roofer possesses.
Try not to put too much emphasis on any single review. One negative review does not equal a bad company.
The Types of Roof Materials That the Contractor Works With
You should also gain an understanding of the roof materials that the contractor works with. Not all contractors work with all roofing materials.
For instance, some roof contractors only work with residential materials. Others only work with commercial materials. Others niche down even further, for instance, only working with asphalt shingles or with metal roofing panels.
The point is that you need to choose a contractor who’s worked on your roofing material before. If they’ve never worked on it before, they’re not going to be 100% sure of how to repair it. If they’re not 100% sure, they’re just using your roof as a guinea pig, and could very well do more harm than good.
You can determine a roofing contractor’s chosen materials by looking at their website. Not only should you look at their services page, but you should also seek out image examples of their past work.
Whether the Roof Contractor Is Licensed
You’ll also want to determine whether the roof contractor is licensed. Licensure is vital as it indicates that the roofing contractor is on the up and up and following local laws and guidelines. It shows that the roofer is being regulated by a governing body of some sort.
That said, roofers in the state of Texas aren’t required to hold a license. So, if a contractor you come across isn’t licensed, theirs could still be a legitimate business. The question you have to ask yourself is if you should take a chance on a business that hasn’t tried to make itself as well-rounded as possible.
After all, there is a licensing body out there: the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas. This association not only requires its members to meet specific knowledge guidelines but specific quality guidelines as well. So, by choosing a member of this association, you’re getting a roofing contractor that’s proven its mettle.
Yes, there are unlicensed roofers who can get the job done. However, choosing them is risky. The safest move is choosing a licensed contractor.
Whether the Roof Contractor Has Insurance
Perhaps the most important thing to consider when choosing a roof contractor for repairs is whether or not they have insurance. If they do, you’ll be financially protected from all accidents and mishaps. If they don’t, you could end up having to pay for problems that you didn’t cause.
Let’s say that your roofing company is repairing your roof, only to drop something on to one of your vehicles. If they had insurance coverage, they would simply file a claim and have the damages covered out of pocket.
If they don’t have insurance coverage, however, they’ll be much more apt to avoid paying the damages. This is because they’ll have to pay them entirely out of their own pocket.
Yes, you can always file a lawsuit. However, it’s a huge hassle that’s going to cost you additional money to even get started. And if you don’t have sufficient evidence, you may not reach the decision you’re hoping for.
This is why you need to verify insurance coverage prior to starting the project. It will save you time, money, and hassle.
Check not only for general liability insurance but workers’ compensation insurance as well. The former will protect you from having to pay for damages; the latter will protect you from having to pay for employee injuries.
The Roof Contractor’s Costs
Another thing you should know about a roofing contractor before hiring them is their costs. How much do they charge for specific types of services? It’s vital to know this beforehand, as you don’t want to be surprised by any staggeringly high bills.
Now, how do you go about assessing a roof contractor’s costs? By calling them up, explaining what you need to have done, and asking for an estimate on that proposed work.
If the contractor is reputable, they’ll provide you with an estimate upon inquiry. If they’re not reputable, they might try to avoid giving you an estimate. Or, the estimate might be lazy, lacking itemized numbers or proper documentation.
Once you’ve received legitimate estimates from a number of different roofers, you should compare them against one another. When comparing, try to to become too enchanted by the cheapest figure. On the other hand, don’t mistake the highest figure for being the highest quality.
Simply use cost as another metric for comparison, placing it alongside the other metrics we’ve reviewed throughout this article.
Whether the Roofer Provides a Warranty
You should also check to see if the roofer provides a warranty of any kind. A warranty is hugely important, especially for roof repair work.
After all, you’re paying to have something fixed. If it’s not fixed appropriately, you shouldn’t have to pay for it. A warranty ensures that you don’t.
In truth, any reputable roofer will provide a labor warranty of some kind. Nonetheless, you need to check to make sure you’re getting a warranty that benefits you.
And don’t just take it by word of mouth. You need to have it down in writing, either through an email or, more ideally, in the contract that you sign prior to the work beginning.
We advise never hiring a company that doesn’t offer a warranty. If a company doesn’t stand behind its work in the form of a warranty, it’s likely because it consistently provides sub-par work. In other words, a lack of a warranty is a huge red flag.
The Quality of Its Past Work
The last thing you should know about is the quality of the company’s past work. Whether they carried out a roof repair, a roof replacement, roof maintenance, or otherwise, you need to know that it’s both functionally optimal and aesthetically pleasing.
You can get a good feel for this by looking at pictures of the work. However, you may want to verify the work by contacting past customers of the company. You can likely find past customers through review sites.
Need Roof Repair Services in Plano, TX?
If you’re still searching for roof repair services in Plano, TX, you’re in the right place. DFW Turnkey Restoration has you covered.
We offer both residential and commercial roof repair services. Regardless of the type of roofing material you’re using, our skilled and experienced team of roofers can assist you.
Contact us today to set up an appointment!
