What to ask when interviewing a contractor

1. Does the company carry insurance?
A roofing company should carry comprehensive liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance.  Ask to see proof of their insurance.

2. Is the company licensed to work in your area?
Ask to see a copy their business license. 

3. How long has the company been in business?                                                        Check with the State Corporate Commission and local government to find out how long the company has been in business and if they have had any complaints filed against them.  Also make sure to ask the company for a reference list (it should be extensive and contain local addresses). 

4. Does the company have a permanent place of business?
This may sound funny but it’s not.  Don’t be fooled by fly-by-night operators who work out of the back of a truck with a cell phone.   You want someone who will be available in the future should you have any questions or concerns.  

5. What are the company’s workmanship guarantees?
Typically workmanship warranties are for one or more years.  Longer warranties are not more valuable than shorter ones if the company is no longer around to honor it. The length of warranty is less important than the intent and ability of the company to honor that warranty. 

The roofer will warrant his workmanship.  The manufacturer, on the other hand will warrant the material against manufacturing defects.  Thus two warranties will cover the entire system.  Understand them both.  Ask for a copy of the manufacturer’s warranty.

Usually, most problems with workmanship or material, show up quickly. Therefore the near-term coverage is more important the coverage given in the later years of the warranty.

6. Will the company provide references?
 Many people may not feel comfortable having their name used in a reference list. Most, however, will not object.  So it is reasonable to assume that a company will be able to provide you with a sizeable list.  Be skeptical of lists that contain only a few names.

7. What is the company’s track record for solving customer complaints?
 Even the best companies make mistakes.  What separates good companies from the rest is how they deal with them.  It’s important to ask if the company has ever had any job related court cases.  Ask the contractor just how it would work if you had a problem.  

Evaluating the Contract

The Proposal
A proposal is a tentative agreement for a project.  It offers a choice of products and services.  A homeowner should expect three choices presented as good, better and best.  The product literature and/or samples should be offered.  The great thing about a proposal,  is that it is a work in progress.  As you evaluate what products to have installed on your home, you will want to look at different styles, colors and warranties.  Your proposal will narrow in scope as you work with the contractor during this process. 
 
Details
Misunderstandings are the leading cause of contract disagreements, not dishonesty or incompetence.  Bring up any questions you may have early in the contract discussions and make sure all items are reduced to writing no matter how trivial they may seem.  Here are some typical product issues to consider:   
Have you been offered a choice of shingles?  Have they been identified by brand or manufacturer name?  Have they made reference to the warranty of the shingles offered?  Make sure the manufacturer’s name, shingle color and length of warranty are stated on the contract. 

Scheduling
Start and stop dates are difficult to pin down due to the unpredictability of weather.  But you can control exceptions.  For instance, negotiate a no-later-than clause.  If early completion is important to you, offer an award for completion by a date earlier than the no-later-than date.

Contractor’s Workmanship Warranty
Make sure it is clearly noted on the contract.

Clean up
Call for a daily clean up if the job is to run for more than a day.  Make sure the company uses magnetic sweepers to remove nails from your home and cleans the gutters.  If you have a specific concern, bring it up early and have it addressed within the contract.

Payment Terms
Schedule terms of payment.  Do they require a deposit and when will the balance be due?