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Hiring a roofer is not like hiring a painter. A mistake in this choice can cost you thousands, not just in a bad roof, but in water damage, structural rot, and voided warranties. Your roof protects everything you own. You need to be certain the company you hire is a true professional, not just a person with a truck and a ladder. At DISCOUNTED ROOFING LLC, we want you to have the peace of mind that comes from making the right choice. To get that, you must ask the hard questions upfront.
Your first question must be about liability: "Show me your worker's compensation and general liability insurance certificates." Do not accept a simple "yes." Ask for the physical or digital certificate. Why is this so critical? If a worker gets hurt on your property and the contractor doesn't have worker's comp, you could be the one paying their medical bills. If their truck leaks oil on your new driveway and they don't have liability insurance, that's your problem. This one question protects you from catastrophic financial risk.
Next, you need to know who you are actually hiring. Ask, "Will my roof be installed by your employees or by a subcontracted crew?" This question reveals a lot about the company's quality control. Many companies will sell you the job and then pass it off to the lowest-bidding crew. You lose all control and have no idea if the people on your roof are trained or insured. You deserve to know exactly who is responsible for your installation and that they are accountable to the company you hired.
After that, you must protect your long-term investment. Ask, "What is the workmanship warranty, and what does it cover?" You will hear a lot about "50-year" shingle warranties, but those are from the manufacturer and only cover defects in the shingle. They do not cover a bad installation job. A workmanship warranty is the contractor's personal promise that their work is free from errors. A confident, quality roofer will offer a strong workmanship warranty (often 10 years or more) that covers their labor if a leak appears. Get this in writing.
A good roof is more than shingles. Ask, "How will you inspect and address my attic ventilation?" A contractor who just wants to slap on shingles and leave will ignore this. A true professional knows that a roof is a system. Improper ventilation traps hot, moist air, which bakes your shingles from below, drastically shortens your roof's life, and can void that manufacturer warranty you thought you had. This question separates the pros from the amateurs. When looking for the Best Roofers in Philadelphia, this is a sign you've found one.
You also need to protect the rest of your home. Ask, "What specific steps will you take to protect my driveway, siding, and landscaping?" A roofing job is a demolition zone. A careless crew can destroy expensive bushes, crack your walkway with a dumpster, or leave your yard full of thousands of nails. A professional will have a clear plan: "We lay plywood down for the dumpster, we cover all windows and plants with tarps, and we perform a magnetic sweep for nails." This is a sign of respect for your property.
Then, you need to understand the materials. Ask, "What underlayment, ice and water barrier, and starter shingles will you be using?" It's easy to be impressed by the final shingle, but what's underneath is just as important. The ice and water barrier is a special membrane that protects the most vulnerable areas of your roof. The underlayment is the layer of water-resistant material over the entire roof deck. A cheap contractor will cut corners here, using thin felt paper that tears easily. You want to see high-quality, synthetic underlayment in your quote.
Finally, get it all in writing. "I need a detailed, itemized quote, not just a total price." A single number on a handshake deal is a recipe for disaster. You need a formal quote that lists the exact materials, the scope of work (e.g., "includes removal of one layer of old shingles"), permit fees, and labor costs. This is the only way you can fairly compare different offers and, more importantly, hold the contractor to their word. It prevents the dreaded "surprise" charges at the end of the job.
Asking these tough questions isn't about being difficult; it's about being a smart homeowner. You are making a major financial decision, and you have the right to protect your investment. A professional will have good answers to all of these questions, and their confidence will give you the confidence you need.
Don't leave your biggest asset to chance. Get the right answers from a team you can trust. Contact DISCOUNTED ROOFING LLC to get a clear, professional assessment. Learn more about our process at http://www.discountedroofingllc.com/
Your first question must be about liability: "Show me your worker's compensation and general liability insurance certificates." Do not accept a simple "yes." Ask for the physical or digital certificate. Why is this so critical? If a worker gets hurt on your property and the contractor doesn't have worker's comp, you could be the one paying their medical bills. If their truck leaks oil on your new driveway and they don't have liability insurance, that's your problem. This one question protects you from catastrophic financial risk.
Next, you need to know who you are actually hiring. Ask, "Will my roof be installed by your employees or by a subcontracted crew?" This question reveals a lot about the company's quality control. Many companies will sell you the job and then pass it off to the lowest-bidding crew. You lose all control and have no idea if the people on your roof are trained or insured. You deserve to know exactly who is responsible for your installation and that they are accountable to the company you hired.
After that, you must protect your long-term investment. Ask, "What is the workmanship warranty, and what does it cover?" You will hear a lot about "50-year" shingle warranties, but those are from the manufacturer and only cover defects in the shingle. They do not cover a bad installation job. A workmanship warranty is the contractor's personal promise that their work is free from errors. A confident, quality roofer will offer a strong workmanship warranty (often 10 years or more) that covers their labor if a leak appears. Get this in writing.
A good roof is more than shingles. Ask, "How will you inspect and address my attic ventilation?" A contractor who just wants to slap on shingles and leave will ignore this. A true professional knows that a roof is a system. Improper ventilation traps hot, moist air, which bakes your shingles from below, drastically shortens your roof's life, and can void that manufacturer warranty you thought you had. This question separates the pros from the amateurs. When looking for the Best Roofers in Philadelphia, this is a sign you've found one.
You also need to protect the rest of your home. Ask, "What specific steps will you take to protect my driveway, siding, and landscaping?" A roofing job is a demolition zone. A careless crew can destroy expensive bushes, crack your walkway with a dumpster, or leave your yard full of thousands of nails. A professional will have a clear plan: "We lay plywood down for the dumpster, we cover all windows and plants with tarps, and we perform a magnetic sweep for nails." This is a sign of respect for your property.
Then, you need to understand the materials. Ask, "What underlayment, ice and water barrier, and starter shingles will you be using?" It's easy to be impressed by the final shingle, but what's underneath is just as important. The ice and water barrier is a special membrane that protects the most vulnerable areas of your roof. The underlayment is the layer of water-resistant material over the entire roof deck. A cheap contractor will cut corners here, using thin felt paper that tears easily. You want to see high-quality, synthetic underlayment in your quote.
Finally, get it all in writing. "I need a detailed, itemized quote, not just a total price." A single number on a handshake deal is a recipe for disaster. You need a formal quote that lists the exact materials, the scope of work (e.g., "includes removal of one layer of old shingles"), permit fees, and labor costs. This is the only way you can fairly compare different offers and, more importantly, hold the contractor to their word. It prevents the dreaded "surprise" charges at the end of the job.
Asking these tough questions isn't about being difficult; it's about being a smart homeowner. You are making a major financial decision, and you have the right to protect your investment. A professional will have good answers to all of these questions, and their confidence will give you the confidence you need.
Don't leave your biggest asset to chance. Get the right answers from a team you can trust. Contact DISCOUNTED ROOFING LLC to get a clear, professional assessment. Learn more about our process at http://www.discountedroofingllc.com/
