Simple But Important Questions To Ask A Roofing Contractor In CT Before Signing A Contract

Let me remind you again… There are several inexperienced roofing contractors out there. 

Some of them neither have a license or an insurance cover, all they do is to move from door to door for an easy dollar. 

They may even offer to handle your roofing project at a very low price. Trust me, hiring these contractors never ends well. 

Before You Sign A Contract, Ask Your Roofing Contractor In CT These Questions

​Start with general questions about roofing contractors and the roofing crew. If the contractor gives you a good response, you can now narrow your questions to the project. 

General Roofing Contractor and Roofing Crew Questions

Question: How long have you been handling roofing installation projects?

This question will enable you to find out the experience level of the contractor you want to hire. 

A contractor with over a decade experience must have handled projects like yours. So, hiring an experienced contractor should be a priority. ​
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Question: Do you have a license and can I have a copy of it?

Contractors who have operating licenses are reputable professionals. They have the requisite knowledge, skills, and experience to handle any roofing installation.

Also, before a roofer gets a license in CT, he must show that he has the knowledge and compliance to building codes. And such roofer has to show proof of insurance.

You will always be on a safer side if you hire a licensed roofing contractor in CT.

It gives you the certainty that your roofing installation is in a safe hands.

Question: Do you have worker’s compensation and liability insurance?

Worker’s compensation insurance is necessary for every roofing contractor in CT. It covers roofing crew members in case of an accident while working on any roofing project.

If you hire a roofer without this cover, any injured worker is your responsibility. In fact, the worker has the right to sue you for medical bills and other damages.

Liability insurance will cover your property if the contractor damages it. Your regular insurance policy is unlikely to pay for such damage.

Question: What happens if you fail to complete the work? Are you bonded?

Bonded contractors are the best choice for your roofing project. If you hire a contractor in CT with surety bonds, you are covered financially in any of the following situations:

• If the contractor fails to do the job and you have to hire another contractor to finish it.

 

• If the contractor didn’t get a permit for the job. And the city or county bills you for the permit

 

• If the contractor fails to pay his crew…

Question: Does your crew have the right training?

Most roofers learn on the job. And there is no special need in the area of training. What you should focus on is experience and license.

Question: Do you have a physical address?

This is an important question to ask a roofing contractor in CT before signing a contract.

Don’t allow any contractor to give you “PO Box”. From experience, contractors who provide PO Box addresses aren’t legitimate.

If the contractor gives you a physical address. Try to see things for yourself by visiting the address.

Check if the contractor’s environment is tidy. A contractor who is unable to keep his environment neat is likely to do a terrible job on your roof.

Question: How will you protect my property?

This question will give you an insight into the contractor’s approach. For instance, what happens to the roof being torn off?

Is the contractor depositing it into the dumpster director? And is the roofer taking any step to cover gutters, decks, bushes, and patios for protection?

You should know how the roofing contractor in Ct will handle all these before you sign the contract.

Question: Can I visit any of your project sites and see what your crew is doing?

The answer to this question is always yes. Afterward, the contractor will give you the project site address.

Go to the site and watch the crew members as they work on a roofing project. With this, you will know the crew's professionalism, experience, and skill.

Question: Can I have a list of three or four clients you have worked for in the past?

Try to contact three clients the contractor had worked for in the past. Ask the clients if the contractor delayed their project and reason for such delays in any…

Sometimes, contractors will delay your roofing installation on purpose. They do this to secure your roofing project while working on other project sites.

Don’t allow any contractor to delay your roofing installation more than two weeks. The only exception to this is bad weather.

Questions To Ask A Roofing Contractor In CT About The Process

Question: Are you available to start immediately?

A roofing contractor in CT may other project engagements for months. In fact, they may not be available to start your project.

Question: How do you want me to pay you?

How you pay a roofing contractor in Ct depends on whether you are providing materials or not. If you are providing material, the contractor is paid when he completes the project.

But if the contractor will be supplying the roofing materials, you may need to make some down payment.

Question: Is there a manufacturer's warranty for the materials you supply?

The manufacturer’s warranty for roofing materials varies. You should understand these warranties before choosing any material for your roofing installation.

For instance, asphalt shingle materials have a warranty window of 10 years. During this period, the material is completely covered.

Questions You Should Ask A Roofing Contractor in CT about Materials And Installation

Question: Have you installed this particular roofing material and brand in the past?

A roofer should have experience in installing several roofing materials and brand. The more experienced a roofing contractor in CT, the better they will perform.

Question: How do you improvise when it’s about to rain?

An experienced roofer understands weather forecast. He hardly gets caught by rain when working on a roofing project. When he suspects that it’s about to rain, he covers completed roof with a tarp.

Question: What is your approach during cold weather?

Contractors can install asphalt shingles when the weather is cold. But he needs to apply roofing cement to each. This will help to secure the shingle field in place pending on when the roof gets proper adhesion when the weather is warm.

Final Words

It is not easy to find a roofing contractor in CT. Of course, there are several roofers in CT, but you need to hire the right one.

At Suburban window & Roofing LLC, you will get a free roofing inspection on your property. Our experts will inspect your roof and tell you on what to do. ​