HOUSTON – You get a knock at the door. A person claiming to be a roofer says he’s in the neighborhood working and can inspect your roof for free. They might offer to file a claim with your insurance company and do all the work for you. But watch out!
Texas is the only Gulf State that doesn’t license roofers. Anybody can call themselves a roofer. That’s why you have to protect yourself. Investigative reporter Amy Davis gets asked about how exactly homeowners can protect themselves. What should you ask? What websites can you check to make sure you are hiring a legitimate skilled roofer? She compiled what you should ask before hiring any roofing contractor.
Roofing contractor checklist: what to ask before hiring
1. Ask for the company’s name and address. Are they based in Houston?
This is important because you need to be able to find the business if something goes wrong with the roof years later. If the company does not have offices and employees in your area, it will likely be more difficult to get them back to fix any issues.
2. How long have they been in business?
3. Do they have references?
Call the references and ask for photos of the roofer’s work on their home.
4. Google the company’s name and check reviews on sites like Google and Yelp.
Simply Googling a company’s name and/or phone number yields helpful information. What are others saying about the employees, owner, or business? Is the same phone number linked to another company that seems less reputable?
5. Check with the Better Business Bureau.
Enter the roofing company’s name in the BBB website search. You can see reviews and get the best contact information for the company.
6. Are they licensed, bonded, and insured?
In the days after any big storm contractors will flood neighborhoods looking for work. You may be tempted to hire the least expensive one. If your roofer is not licensed, bonded, and insured, you could run into major problems down the road. We’ve explained in the past that if something goes wrong down the road your insurance may not repair for work if you hired someone unqualified.
7. Do they pull permits for the work from the city?
If not, why not?
8. If the insurance company approves the claim, do you have to give them the job?
The roofer may pressure you to sign a document before they or you file a claim with your insurance company. The fine print usually obligates that you use their company if your insurance carrier approves the claim.
9. Is the company certified by a shingle manufacturer?
Different shingle companies certify individuals and businesses to install their products. Using a roofer certified by the shingle manufacturer they are using will be helpful if you need repairs later that are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
For example, GAF is North America’s largest roofing manufacturer. You can search the GAF database for contractors certified by GAF.
10. Ask about down payments and what you have to pay in advance.
It is common to pay some money upfront so the roofer can buy supplies for the job. Often, it’s half of the cost of the work but you can negotiate to give 25% down up front. Never pay in full until the entire job is complete.
11. Who will be installing my roof and what is their training and experience?
12. How long is my warranty and what does it cover?
13. What types of roof options are available?
When you are shopping around for a roof you will get to choose the color and style. But it’s not always about the look of it. “Cool roofs” are an option for sustainability.
Consumer Reports says: “While this option isn’t new, it’s worth considering if you need a new roof and want to reduce your carbon footprint without buying costly solar. The trick: Pick a lighter color roof. Because a light-colored roof reflects more sunlight than a darker roof, it can reduce the energy and cost needed to cool your home by up to 15 percent. White roofs are best, reflecting from 60 to 90 percent of sunlight, according to the Department of Energy. But you also can shop for a “cool colored” roof: a darker roof that uses specialized pigments that reflect about 30 to 60 percent of sunlight.”
(Check the DOE’s Energy Saver page for advice on buying cool-roof roofing products for both shallow-pitched and steeply-pitched roofs and check the Cool Roof Rating Council for cool-roof products.)
While it is not required for a roofer to be licensed, the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas has a licensing process for companies that want to add an extra level of accountability and education. Jordan Felder, General Manager of Elite Roofers, recommended RCAT as a helpful tool for consumers.
RCAT requires roofing contractors to go through a rigorous screening and examination process and they must obtain yearly continuing education. You can search for a company’s status on the RCAT website.
Some red flags you should look out for when hiring a roofer:
- Very low-price quote
- They want the money upfront
- They are very pushy about getting you to sign something
