In some states, roofing contractors must be licensed to do the roof repair work. Obtaining a roofing contractor license is a normal licensing requirement for most professions. Whether you’re new to licensing, the idea of how professional guarantee bonds operate might be a little difficult to understand. To explain, a professional bond is typically issued by a third-party organization, such as a building maintenance company, that guarantees the work done by an individual or company to be done to a certain standard. This type of bond typically serves as protection from liability for any accidents that might occur on your roof.
If you’ve ever had to deal with roofing contractors before, then you know that their typical repertoire includes at least some of the following: patching leaks, cleaning vents, replacing shingles, and replacing damaged sections of roof. Occasionally they will also offer roof inspections. Although these are standard jobs for them, there is one other job that they sometimes provide that you should look into. That job is installing a metal sheet metal roof. It is rare for a professional to help install this type of roof without training and experience.
Some people assume that a roofing contractor must have a roofing degree or another similar certification in order to install a new roof. While it certainly is not unusual for someone with no prior experience to help install a new roof, the fact is that many roofing contractors started out as carpenters or others with similar skills who decided to pursue roofing careers. Before you call any roofing contractors, ask to see their credentials. There are plenty of roofing contractors who have received training and certification from reputable associations, including some that are member of the National Leaking Prevention Contractors’ Association and the National Roofer Contractors Association.
Another myth is that Roofing Contractors are only useful on roofs that are older. This simply is not true. Some newer roofs are more difficult to install than older ones, but that does not mean that newer roofs cannot be installed by experienced roofers. As long as a roofer has experience with roofs that are similar in age to yours, then they should be able to install your new roof just fine.
One other myth is that roofing contractors are only useful during the winter months. That is simply not true. If you live in an area where there are seasons, such as in Seattle, you can also hire roofing contractors to complete projects during other seasons as well. However, if you live in a more arid climate where ice dams can occur all year, you may want to hire roofers during the summer months only. Even if there is little to no chance of ice dams in your area, you may find that the roof tends to leak during the hot parts of the year, which can be very damaging to your home.
A final myth is that roofing contractors are only needed when a roof has been damaged or needs to be replaced. In reality, you can use a roofer even if there is minimal or no visible damage to your roof. When it comes to painting, roofing contractors are often used as a back-up plan in case something happens to your roof. Many people choose to paint their roofs themselves, which is cheaper and can be time-consuming. However, if there is some damage to your roof, a roofing contractor can easily repair it for you at a fair price.
Perhaps the most common misconception about roofing contractors is that they only do shingles. While it may seem that only asphalt shingles will work in your region, there are several other types of shingles that can be used successfully. There are also metal shingles, and ceramic shingles, as well as organic shingles, which are a newer type of roofing material. If your region does not have the proper weather conditions for one of these alternative materials, many contractors can also install your roof with these materials without any additional charge.
Before hiring a roofing company, it is important to make sure that you have done your research and that you have selected a contractor who is honest and reliable. To make sure that you get a quality roof installation, it is also important to make sure that your roofing contractor uses quality materials and does a good job installing them. You should check their references and make sure that their work is satisfactory before you hire them. Once you’ve found a few roofing contractors that you like, ask them about their experience and ask them how many different types of roofing contractors they currently work with. By doing all of these things before you choose a contractor, you’ll ensure that you get quality work done on your roof every single time.