So you have had your roof for many years now and the time has come to replace it. The first thing you need to do is decide which roofers in Menlo Park is best for the job. It is important that you are careful when selecting a contractor to work on your home. This article will show you which mistakes to avoid when hiring a roofing contractor.

hiring-roofer

Mistake #1: Fail to Ask for Licensing and Insurance Information

Before speaking with the contractor, check to see if he is actually licensed or bonded in the roofing trade. This is very important. You should be able to find this information on your state licensing board’s website.

You also need to ask the contractor for copies of his liability insurance coverage information along with his worker’s compensation certificates. Check to see if the coverages indicated on the insurance information cover the period of time you will need for your repairs. If it doesn’t, you should look elsewhere.

If the contractor is not properly insured, it could cause serious problems for you if one of his workers is injured on your property. You could be held liable if the worker is not insured by his employer.

Mistake #2: Fail to Check His Track Record

Failing to look into the contractor’s previous experience is a big mistake. You need to know that the person you hire to repair your roof actually knows what he is doing.

If the contractor you are interested in is confident in his work, he should be willing to provide client references. If there are none on his website, then you can ask for them directly.

If you can, contact the contractor’s references and find out whether or not they were satisfied with his service. Also, take a look at his online reviews. If he has received a disproportionately large number of complaints, it should raise a red flag.

Mistake #3: Fail to Obtain a Proposal

Make sure you receive a written proposal before work begins. The proposal should be detailed and thorough. It should include a complete breakdown of the work required, the number of days it should take to complete, and the payment procedures.

Do not accept the contractor’s bid based only on a verbal price quote. You should have a complete understanding of everything that will be involved in getting the repair done.

Mistake #4 Fail to Compare Bids

Don’t contact only one or two roofing contractors. Repairing a roof is a big job, so you should do everything you can to make sure you are hiring the right person.

Keep in mind that price is only one aspect of choosing a contractor. In some cases, a higher price may be reasonable because the materials used could be of higher quality.

Also, be wary of bids that are significantly lower than the others. Typically, this means that the contractor’s work will not be up to par.

Replacing your roof is a big undertaking and you should take every precaution necessary to ensure that it is done properly. Avoiding the mistakes listed in this article will make it easier to choose a quality Roofer in Palo Alto.