TOP TEN LIST FOR CHOOSING A ROOFING OR SIDING CONTRACTOR

We’ve all received them: those fliers in our front door or mailbox from contractors seeking our business. Before jumping at what may seem like a too-good-to-be-true deal, make sure to do due diligence before hiring. At G. Fedale Roofing and Siding, you can be assured that the project at hand will be handled professionally from start to finish. Should you decide to look elsewhere, here’s our Top Ten list of things to look into prior to signing that contract. 

1. Make sure the company is a local, established, and reputable one. “You don’t want to hire from outside the area,” says G. Fedale Sales Manager Jake Domanski, adding that since three to five years is the average life span of a roofing company, you want to make sure the company will be around should a problem arise down the road. Jake recommends talking directly to people for referrals as opposed to simply reading online reviews. 
2. Consider how the contractor weighs value versus price. If you’re looking for the company that gives you the cheapest price, you may get what you pay for. Focus on value, not just the price point.
3. Ask whether the company has its own warranty department. At G. Fedale, our product manufacturers offer warranties on the products used, and we additionally provide our own warranty on the workmanship. This is especially important, Jake says, as 99 percent of warranty issues are a result of the workmanship. 
4. Go with your gut, but base your decision on objective observation. Does the consultant who comes to your house seem trustworthy? Did the estimator make the effort to physically go up on your roof? Does the company present a professional proposal – one that’s clean, concise, and clear regarding the scope of the work? Once on the jobsite, will there be protection provided to the surrounding landscaping, and is there a clean-up plan? Will there be a project manager to oversee the project through completion? Has the company met your expectations for product and color selection?
5. Get multiple quotes! We encourage that.
6. Make sure that the contractor specializes in your particular project. An ad or website may highlight home additions for example, but the company might not specialize in siding or roofing. 
7. Make sure the contractor is licensed and insured. Homeowners assume this, but it’s not always the case. 
8. Check if the contractor has an established name in the industry. We have received awards and have certifications from manufacturers ranging from Pella to GAF. A number of our estimators are HAAG certified – this gives them an added edge with regard to newer technologies and installation methods.
9. How responsive is the front office when it comes to communication? Long waits for callbacks should send a red flag.
10. Does the company have a charitable presence? Do they give back to the community they service? It’s important to know if the company aligns with the homeowner’s values. Community engagement helps assure a greater level of commitment to both the locale and the customer.