It’s one home improvement project that lots of people dread: having to put on a new roof. You may decide to get a new roof to stop leaks or repair damage your existing roof may have. You may have suffered damage in a storm. Or, you may feel like you’ve cheated time with your old roof and want to take action before any problems occur. All of these are good motivations to seek out a quality roofing contractor. But as you’re interviewing Saskatoon roofing companies, you may wonder what information you should be gathering. As it turns out, you can learn a lot through the process of getting an estimate. Here are five things you should look for in every roofing estimate.
- Proof of insurance and licensing. You’ve heard about roofing companies that aren’t legitimate. They scam people out of their money and give them shoddy work in return. The best way to make sure you’re dealing with a reputable company is to ask for proof of their insurance (including workers’ compensation and liability). They should also be able to produce a roofing contractor’s license issued by your province or local municipality.
- An outline of the roofing services they’ll provide. This should include projected starting and completion dates as well as terms of payment. Don’t forget to find out who’s responsible for cleaning up the debris from your old roof after the job is finished.
- Details on the materials to be used. Get specifics on the types of shingles, ventilation, underlayment, flashing, and any other materials your roofing contractor will use.
- Projected cost of the project. Any roofing estimate should include both labor and materials. Additionally, your contractor should list costs for building permits and any other fees.
- Warranty information. Most roofing materials come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Since this can vary from one type of roofing (and manufacturer) to another, it’s always best to get this information upfront. Some roofing contractors may offer warranties on their labor, too.
This information should help you get a reliable estimate and help you tell the good roofing companies from the bad. With just a little homework, you can increase the chances of purchasing a roof that will last for years to come.