Choosing Roofing Contractors - Top 10 Tips
Top 10 Tips to look for when choosing Roofing Contractors
- Always try and get 3 quotes/estimates for the
work to be undertaken and then go middle of the road.
For this system to work the materials, other products to
be used and services offered from each contractor should
be identical. This will give you a clear spectrum of
costs.
- Ask how long the business has been established and
trading. Also how long the tradesmen have been qualified
roofers. This will give you confidence in the ability of
the contractor.
- Think about what you actually need the contractor to
look at. If you have water ingress on the rear elevation
of your property don't let the contractor look at the
front to try and drum up more work unless either you
invite them too or there is a common fault with your
roof that may be mirrored in other areas of your
property.
- Check each estimate that all eventualities are
covered and there is no chance for any add-ons or
extras. If certain parts of your roof are inaccessible
and therefore have not been inspected by the contractor,
then there may be a contingency amount included in the
total. Make sure this is written clearly.
- Does the roofing company have a good track record
with customer care and aftercare. This is important both
during the works being carried out but also after
completion if you experience any teething problems. Just
because you have paid your final balance the contractor
has a duty of care to you and your property for an
agreed period after completion. This can be from 3-6
months and any related problems rectified buy the
contractor free of charge. This period of time should be
clearly stated on your original estimate.
- Get estimates not quotations. You will often find
that a quotation will be over inflated in favour of the
contractor just in case anything untoward happens or the
contractor has missed something on his initial
inspection. The train of thought here is that the
contractor will not financially loose out but the
customer may. With an estimate, additional unforeseen
works can be discussed, priced for accordingly and
agreed so the customer stays in charge.
- If you have any questions or concerns with the
workmanship, materials being used, costs, timescales or
any aspect of the contract then make sure you ask. It is
your property and the contractor is fortunate that you
have chosen them over others. If they are reputable then
will offer all answers and put your mind at rest.
- Make sure that the contractor has a Health and
Safety policy or that they operate to safe working
practices. Contractors working at heights can drop items
accidentally from the roof or scaffolding and the main
thing is that people do not get hurt. First aid kits and
site warning signs should be on display.
- Make sure the contractor has relevant public
liability insurance. This should be for a minimum of one
million pounds and covers for all eventualities should
either a person become injured or the property becoming
damaged as a result of a fault of the contractor.
- Look for the contractors profile within the
marketplace and your location. Do they advertise in
local papers, Yellow Pages, pavement/scaffolding
signage, van signage, are they members of any
professional bodies, do they invest in staff training,
have they won any awards in their field of expertise,
what is their local reputation, what is their level of
product knowledge (different materials could give you
the same end result but for a fraction of the cost),
where you see a contractor working, ask the property
owners and neighbours what the contractor is like.
For further information view
Chubb Roofing
Contractors
Top Ten Tips - Business Help & Advice
