Roofing Contractors: Find Yourself a Good One

Finding roofing contractors is easy. Finding a good roofing contractor, might take just a bit more of your time, but it will be well worth the effort.

There are a few legitimate Maple Grove roofing contractors around that are able to provide you with a quality roof repair. However, there are probably more claims of fraud in the roofing industry than in any other. It seems that the roofing business attracts fly-by-night rip offs like a magnet. You need to be sure that any contractor that you hire is going to do a good job and will still be around if any problems show up later.

There are a number of would be roofing contractors that go door-to-door soliciting work. Many of these impostor contractors are not licensed or insured. They may ask for a large portion or even their entire fee in advance, and then they may just disappear. There are also some contractors that are licensed, but change their business name frequently to avoid the bad reputation they have from previous activities. They might do the job, but the quality may be questionable and they may not provide promised warranty service.

As with many businesses, 70 to 80 percent of roofing contractors go out of business within two years. Only about five percent are still in business after five years. If your contractors not around when a problem develops, you really don't have a warranty any more.

So how can you avoid making a poor choice in hiring a contractor?

Make sure that any roofing contractor you consider:

• is licensed, 
• is insured for liability and workers compensation, 
• has been in business at the same address for a while, 
• has a list of satisfied customers that you can contact,
• offers a warranty on labor and materials, and,
• provides a written estimate or contract with all of the details you were promised.

Ask your potential contractor to provide evidence of any of this information. A legitimate roofing contractor will understand your concerns and will happily provide it for you.

And don't ignore your gut feeling. If you don't feel comfortable about doing business with them, trust your instincts and move on to another contractor.

Staying Safe While Installing or Repairing a Roof

If you've decided to take the DIY route with roofing repairs or installation, the most important thing to remember is to stay safe. As Maple Grove roofing contractors, we know how crucial it is to be careful when working on a roof. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you work on your roof: 

Pay attention to the weather reports

Do not make the risk greater by deciding to do roofing repairs on a windy day or one where temperatures are extremely cold. If you need to make a winter repair, it may be best to call in a professional as they have the experience necessary to do the job.

Check the surface

Cold, windy weather is not the only danger: be sure to watch for any falling debris or leaves that may be on the roof, as these will make the roof more slippery.

Clean as you go

You do not want to slip or lose your balance due to leaving your tools, supplies or trash where you can slip on them.