Hiring a New Jersey roofing company is a big deal. Aside from the front door, the roof is pretty much a key part of the home and probably more critical when it comes to maintaining shelter, temperature, protection from the elements, and structural integrity of the home.
So, a sloppy job does more than produce a shoddy roof. It can damage the entire home, especially with preventable water penetration. Unfortunately, contracting out for this type of residential work has several horror stories, most commonly with contractors doing poor work or disappearing with payments before the job is completed properly. While there is no perfect method, and even professional builders have their headaches with subcontractors, there are steps one can take to protect themselves.
Where to Search
Believe it or not, a key factor is reliability based on reputation. This comes from seeking referrals from people a prospective homeowner client trusts. That includes friends and family who may have already gone through a roofing project themselves. By leveraging their experience, one could potentially weed out a lot of headaches without serious energy and money loss. Alternatively, asking for input and guidance from coworkers and peers can help as well, basically benefiting from the same effect. However, the trust factor may be a bit weaker, and it’s quite possible to be steered wrong on opinion alone.
So, combine the above with step two. Use online research to track and see if a given contractor is reputable, operates as a full business, and has a reputation. Several online sides provide input from local previous customers, and those insights can be powerful as well as candid. Sites like Yelp! for example, are particularly useful for getting snaps of local roofers in Morris County from others who’ve used the same roofing contractor previously. Ideally, those with a longer track record of good performance are a better pick than a brand-new player with no reviews at all.
If you have a specialized roof, then focus on those who specifically handle that type of material and work. General roofers may have no idea how to work a copper roof for example, but they will still take the business for cash flow and figure things out on the way. And that can lead to a lot of mistakes at your expense.
Review and Vet
Ideally, you want a contractor with roofing insurance, not general contractor bonding. Because of the nature of roofing and the damage cost involved done wrong, your contractor should have insurance to cover your full damage, not just $5,000 or some small bond value.
Experience and longevity working in your area count. Be suspicious of a roofer with lots of experience from somewhere else who can’t be verified independently.
Obtain a quote for work before committing to anything, and make sure the contractor has a business and construction contracting license. Unlicensed players may try to come in and score work on the side paid with cash which is illegal and highly risky for a consumer. Make sure the roofing work product comes with a warranty and make yourself familiar with local resources for complaints and remedies if something goes wrong before it goes wrong.
Put everything in writing before signing an agreement and use a payment plan. Do not pay large sums upfront blindly without any work being done. Record and photograph all stages of the project, and keep track of all individuals involved. Do not subcontract without having a separate agreement for that player. Otherwise, they could put a lien on your house if the main contractor doesn’t pay for their work.
Finally, at the end of a good project, make sure to write up your recommendation and share your referral. You helped out others in your position when you first started.
