14 TIPS FOR FINDING THE RIGHT ROOFER
Your roofing contractor checklist
When a new roof is required, quality work is critical. Finding an experienced, trustworthy roofing contractor can be a challenge. The rainy season seems to make "roofer" signs blossom. We researched and assembled 14 valuable tips to help you out:
Licensing - Make sure a prospective roofing contractor has the required licensing. A California roofing license (C39) is usually carried by professional roofers. Check the license number on his or her card or stationery at the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Contractors State License Board. Go to https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx. You also can call the Board at (800) 321- 2752.
Identification - Los Angeles has a lot of so-called "contractors" who operate in the shadows. If a roofer's contract and card just has a first name and he refuses to give his last name, there could be a problem. Unless you can check the roofer out, move on to someone else. If the roofer's card shows a corporation name, the roofer should be listed as a principal.
Who is on the job - Often, the roofing contractor you initially meet with is handling multiple jobs. That means he may only appear briefly at the beginning and sometimes at the end of each work day. Get the name of foreman who will be on the job all day and every day. Find out how much experience he has. When you call some of the references the contractor gives you, see if the same foreman was on each of the jobs, and if not, get the name of the person who was. If different foremen's names are given by the references, that may indicate the individual or company has a high turnover.
References - Ask the roofing contractor for 3 to 5 references, at your first meeting. You should get references from customers who had their roofs done 2 years ago and some who had their roofs done at least 10 years ago. Ask how the roof has held up, repairs needed, crew performance, if the roofer did everything he was contracted to do, how thoroughly he cleaned up after finishing, and if they would use him again.
Multiple bids - Make sure you have several price comparisons by getting bids from several roofing contractors.
Cost breakdown list - Always ask for a cost breakdown list of materials and labor from each roofing contractor. This will help you to see the whole picture and allow you to compare apples to apples.
Attention to detail - Look for a potential roofing contractor who shows up for his appointment with you on time, presents a bid on professional stationery, goes over any question about the proposed contract, and returns your calls in a timely manner.
Read the contract thoroughly - Don't be rushed. Let the roofer leave it with you for review, if necessary.
Don't be afraid to ask questions- Asking your roofing contractor the tough questions and getting forthright answers helps to ensure that you're getting a knowledgeable and reputable professional.
Insurance - Without the proper insurance, if someone gets hurt or materials are damaged, you are the one who will pay the expenses. Always ask for documentation of commercial general liability. Construction Attorney Kirk MacDonald pointed out that, "Workers compensation protects the employer (contractor) but not the homeowner, so it’s important to make sure the insurance is the correct type."
Permits - In some areas permits and/or bonds may be required to start the project. Always call your local building department for details on what your roofer needs to start a roofing job.
Warranties - Some roofing contractors provide different warranties on their products. Make certain you have a clear warranty and/or guarantee in writing when you are given an estimate. Negotiate a “no-later-than” clause for the start date and completion date of your new roof.
Multiple payments - Make sure you pay the roofer in increments. Attorney MacDonald pointed out that the down payment can only be, "the lesser of $1,000 or 10% of the contract value." The last payment only should be made after you have inspected the job as well as the grounds, driveway, and walkways around your house for debris.
Thorough cleanup - Inspect your home's grounds, walkways, and driveway before the roofer and his crew leave each day. It only takes one roofing nail in a tire, a favorite rose bush damaged by falling debris, or a gutter fouled by discarded roofing materials to ruin your day and indicate sloppy work. Do a thorough walk around with your roofing contractor, after the job is finished. It also is important for you (or someone you know) to check all the gutters for debris at the end of the job.
Thanks to Glendale, CA construction law attorney Kirk MacDonald for his edits.
Good luck on your upcoming roofing project.
Licensing - Make sure a prospective roofing contractor has the required licensing. A California roofing license (C39) is usually carried by professional roofers. Check the license number on his or her card or stationery at the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Contractors State License Board. Go to https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx. You also can call the Board at (800) 321- 2752.
Identification - Los Angeles has a lot of so-called "contractors" who operate in the shadows. If a roofer's contract and card just has a first name and he refuses to give his last name, there could be a problem. Unless you can check the roofer out, move on to someone else. If the roofer's card shows a corporation name, the roofer should be listed as a principal.
Who is on the job - Often, the roofing contractor you initially meet with is handling multiple jobs. That means he may only appear briefly at the beginning and sometimes at the end of each work day. Get the name of foreman who will be on the job all day and every day. Find out how much experience he has. When you call some of the references the contractor gives you, see if the same foreman was on each of the jobs, and if not, get the name of the person who was. If different foremen's names are given by the references, that may indicate the individual or company has a high turnover.
References - Ask the roofing contractor for 3 to 5 references, at your first meeting. You should get references from customers who had their roofs done 2 years ago and some who had their roofs done at least 10 years ago. Ask how the roof has held up, repairs needed, crew performance, if the roofer did everything he was contracted to do, how thoroughly he cleaned up after finishing, and if they would use him again.
Multiple bids - Make sure you have several price comparisons by getting bids from several roofing contractors.
Cost breakdown list - Always ask for a cost breakdown list of materials and labor from each roofing contractor. This will help you to see the whole picture and allow you to compare apples to apples.
Attention to detail - Look for a potential roofing contractor who shows up for his appointment with you on time, presents a bid on professional stationery, goes over any question about the proposed contract, and returns your calls in a timely manner.
Read the contract thoroughly - Don't be rushed. Let the roofer leave it with you for review, if necessary.
Don't be afraid to ask questions- Asking your roofing contractor the tough questions and getting forthright answers helps to ensure that you're getting a knowledgeable and reputable professional.
Insurance - Without the proper insurance, if someone gets hurt or materials are damaged, you are the one who will pay the expenses. Always ask for documentation of commercial general liability. Construction Attorney Kirk MacDonald pointed out that, "Workers compensation protects the employer (contractor) but not the homeowner, so it’s important to make sure the insurance is the correct type."
Permits - In some areas permits and/or bonds may be required to start the project. Always call your local building department for details on what your roofer needs to start a roofing job.
Warranties - Some roofing contractors provide different warranties on their products. Make certain you have a clear warranty and/or guarantee in writing when you are given an estimate. Negotiate a “no-later-than” clause for the start date and completion date of your new roof.
Multiple payments - Make sure you pay the roofer in increments. Attorney MacDonald pointed out that the down payment can only be, "the lesser of $1,000 or 10% of the contract value." The last payment only should be made after you have inspected the job as well as the grounds, driveway, and walkways around your house for debris.
Thorough cleanup - Inspect your home's grounds, walkways, and driveway before the roofer and his crew leave each day. It only takes one roofing nail in a tire, a favorite rose bush damaged by falling debris, or a gutter fouled by discarded roofing materials to ruin your day and indicate sloppy work. Do a thorough walk around with your roofing contractor, after the job is finished. It also is important for you (or someone you know) to check all the gutters for debris at the end of the job.
Thanks to Glendale, CA construction law attorney Kirk MacDonald for his edits.
Good luck on your upcoming roofing project.
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Fire Station 58 Pancake Breakfast
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Pothole City
Los Angeles Times reporter Ben Poston did a great feature story on the where and why of all those ruts and small craters in our city's streets. We all have our favorite stretches and curves to avoid for fear of hitting potholes and visiting the alignment shop again. How nice that the quality of the streets is not related to the status of the neighborhood. Potholes apparently are equal opportunity squatters whose numbers vary from street to street. across the town. Terrain is one of the factors, as we see in Ben's story at http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pavement-20130505,0,4119436.story.
Check out the streets you travel on and neighborhoods you travel through at http://graphics.latimes.com/la-streets-map/#11/34.0475/-118.5754. |