Both homeowners and commercial building managers can appreciate the importance of a solid roof on their facility and home. That being said, when you start to notice problems with your roof, the obvious step is to start collecting estimates from roofing companies in your area. If you don’t have one certain company in mind, it’s always smart to get a few opinions and compare them! However, once you have a handful of estimates it can be tricky to decide which one is the best choice for your roofing needs. The roofing professionals at Coates Bros. want to help by telling you what to look for when comparing roofing estimates!
1. Price.
This one seems obvious, right? However, cheaper isn’t always better! Pay attention to the price on your estimate. If most of them are within the same range and one is extremely low, there might be a reason behind that, and not always a good one. Be sure to take the necessary steps to research that company before you make a decision solely based on the lower price.
2. Warranties, licenses and insurance.
These three things should always be listed on your estimate. You will definitely need to know what warranties they offer, if they are a licensed contractor and especially make sure they are insured – that includes workers compensation! These factors are crucial to ensure they are a reputable company. Without them, you could find yourself in a sticky situation later on such as paying for injuries that happen on your property!
3. A physical location and landline phone number.
This might sound strange, but having an established office is a huge benefit. You should be able to visit this location and speak with a representative, see material samples, etc. This is another way of knowing your contractor is legit! Plus, the phone number should not be a cell phone. Any established business will have a landline number!
4. Labor and incidental costs.
Does the estimate include transportation of supplies and materials? Cleaning up the site after the job is finished? These are all things to consider if you want to avoid paying extra for those services, or doing it yourself!
5. Visibly marked vehicles.
Many un-established roofing companies will use plain work trucks or put a temporary magnet on the side of a truck to look legit. If a company has nice, designated work vehicles that display the logo and phone number, that’s a good sign that they’re committed to the trade!
This is a short list of the most common things to look for when you’re comparing roofing estimates. To learn more about the process, feel free to call our office at 440-322-1343 and speak to one of our roofing professionals today! If you want to schedule a free estimate with Coates Bros, fill out a contact form on our website.