Hiring Your Next Roofer

Written by: Handy American (GoArticles Author)

Before you start looking for a roofer it's always a good idea to make sure that you actually need to replace your roof rather than just repairing it which would be the much less expensive option. One of the first things you want to look at is your roof's age. The average shingle roof lasts about 15 to 25 years so you always want to take that into consideration when determining whether or not you need to replace your roof.

The other thing you have to look at is obviously the extent of the damage. This is why it's a really good reason to regularly, at least annually, have your roof checked out and inspected by a professional Highlands Ranch roofer. A professional roofer will be able to spot damage early on and repair it before it becomes a really big problem. And there is also a great benefit in building a relationship with a roofer prior to having to hire one immediately when you need your roof replaced.

When looking for a roofer all the basics apply. If you want to find a good roofer at a good price you're going to have to evaluate several bids from several well-qualified roofing contractors. In order to accomplish that you'll have to screen the roofer's prior to having them bid on your project. Below are a few suggestions on what you can do to prequalify a roofer.

To begin with you will probably want to check to see if the roofer has a license. Considering the price of replacing a roof you shouldn't even consider hiring a roofing contractor without a license.

It's also a good idea to see if the roofer has any reviews or feedback from past clients online on websites like Handy American, citysearch.com, insiderpages.com and yelp.com. Another good idea is to enter the roofer's name or business name into google and do a search. More and more homeowners are utilizing the Internet to review and leave feedback for contractors and you can be the beneficiary.

You'll also want to look for complaints to weed out the bad apples. Two great resources for this are the Better Business Bureau and/or local state licensing board. These are two of the first places an upset homeowner will go to complain about a bad experience with a roofer so yet another great place to look.

A couple of other things to look for are an established place of business and a local telephone number. You're better off going with a roofer who has several years of experience working in the community so look for somebody who has at least a few years of work experience in the community.

Once you've weeded out the bad apples you can proceed to having the 3-5 best roofers bid on your project. When the contractors bid on your roofing project you'll want to ask that they include some additional information.

Primarily you'll want to ask the roofers for some references. Replacing a roof is expensive so you'll definitely want to speak past clients and preferably see some of the roofers past work. Don't be afraid to ask the roofer if he is working on any projects currently as an answer of yes is the perfect opportunity to last the roofer if you can drop by to look at his work.

Something else you'll definitely want to ask for when replacing a roof is proof of insurance. Workers compensation and general liability insurance are necessary when replacing your roof since there is more risk than with most other home improvement projects. You could potentially be risking a lawsuit if you hire a roofer who is not properly insured so make sure you don't make that mistake.

There's really nothing fun or exciting about replacing or repairing a roof but your roof is potentially the most important part of your home. Having your roof inspected at least annually could help to extend the longevity of your roof but they haven't invented a shingle roof yet that lasts forever. In those cases make sure you hire the right roofer for the job.