What Makes A Roofing Contractor “Legitimate”
Get Peace Of Mind Knowing You Are Hiring True Roofing Expert
Investing in your Seattle, WA roof is a significant undertaking – when searching for Seattle roof replacement contractors, it’s essential to determine whether or not they are the right team for your project.
If you’re an unsuspecting homeowner, many roofing contractors will try to convince you they know what they’re doing – and you may not know. The difference between a legitimate contractor and a roofing scam artist is subtle. But with this guide, you’ll be able to spot the signs of a trustworthy roofing professional at first glance.
Here are five essential factors to know which will give you an advantage in determining a roofing contractor’s legitimacy.
1. Are They Fully Insured And Licensed In The State In Which They Operate?
As a homeowner looking for a Seattle, WA, roof replacement, you don’t often think about the paperwork that goes into being a fully licensed and insured roofing contractor. Not only must a contractor be insured and bonded with the state, but depending on their niche, they may need to undergo additional licensing.
Washington state roofing contractors must follow strict and specific code that maintains standards.
Your Seattle roof replacement contractor should be able to provide you with proof of such licensing and insurance readily. If they can’t, this may be a telltale sign that they’re hiding something from you.
2. How Are Their Customer Reviews?
A Seattle roof replacement is no small investment – therefore, ensuring the roofing contractor is highly rated is vital. We recommend starting with Google reviews, but beware–companies can manipulate these ratings. That’s why it’s best to use multiple resources, apps, and websites to find the most precise picture.
Sometimes the reviews on a forum or site may only offer one side of the story. Therefore it is suggested to perform deep research regarding the contractor’s customer reviews.
While researching reviews, read each and look for commonalities in the stories and language. These similarities may indicate problem areas that you, as a homeowner, should know before committing.
3. Do They Have Case Studies To Prove Their Work?
Case studies go beyond just reviews – they showcase the specifics of a job with before and after photos, evidence, and a detailed customer satisfaction statement.
Home improvement contractors, especially roofers, consider it a good practice to document their work. Documentation builds trust and rapport with potential future customers and shows what you should expect from their team.
By setting such a standard with online case studies, you can be assured that you will get the end product you paid for and more.
4. How Deeply Do They Inspect Before Beginning The Job?
Many Seattle roof replacement contractors will only focus on the outer aesthetic of the roof, as this is the end product the customer will see. If the roof looks good, homeowners and neighbors alike will assume the roof to have been adequately replaced.
However, looks can be deceiving – especially in the roofing contractor world. There are many things to consider about a roof before undertaking a replacement, some of which include the following:
- Ventilation
- Proper material
- Material quality and manufacturer
- Warranties
- The roof’s frame
- Insulation
It’s crucial, therefore, to ask your Seattle roof replacement contractor if they will be doing a full and comprehensive inspection to see exactly what your roof needs.
Once they tell you what your roof needs, the next consideration to look out for is pricing. Some roofing contractors convince you that you need more than you do, colloquially known as “upselling.”
If you suspect that your roofing contractor is upselling you, it is highly recommended to cease doing business with that contractor immediately.
Upselling can be more deceitful – here are some signs to look out for that may be less noticeable when determining If a roofing contractor is trying to upsell you.
5. Are They Trying To Trick You?
Some upselling techniques are more sly and cunning, which can undercut the unsuspecting homeowner. Some of these techniques include:
- Marking up the initial price and then “discounting” it when it only goes back down to the standard industry quote range.
- Putting a time frame on specific prices to make it seem like if you don’t act now, you will miss out on a “discounted” price.
- Charging more than necessary for luxury roofing materials.
- Leaving stuff out of the bid to charge you later, when it’s a “surprise”
Of course, contractors use many ways and techniques to upsell a homeowner for their Seattle roof replacement. That’s why in combination with the other four key points, you have a very high probability of landing a fantastic roofing contractor who will take care of you – not only for your Seattle roof replacement but for any problems that may occur with it in the future.
Your Highly Reputable Seattle Roof Replacement Experts
Seattle, WA roof replacement just got a whole lot easier with RoofSmart™. Not only does RoofSmart™ strictly adhere to the above principles and treat every customer with extreme care, but they also offer amazing financing and warranty options.
Their near-perfect track record with customer reviews alone could prove that they are the roofing contractor to go with, but there are many more reasons why they are a leader in Seattle roof replacement.
To get started with your SmartMatch™ needs analysis, contact RoofSmart™ at (206) 487-4877 or fill out their online contact form today!
