Welcome to Thomas Ford Roofing Company
Roofing Specialist In Modesto, California
Roofing Specialist In Modesto, California
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How do I find a reputable contractor?
Your choice of a contractor is vital to the success of your roofing
project. Select him or her with care, as you would any other
professional, like a doctor or lawyer. Get started by using the following
methods to select possible candidates:
Once the candidates have been selected, you should take the time to
interview them and discuss the details of your project. Be prepared to
ask the questions that will help you determine whether or not this is a
reliable professional who will be easy to work with and be able to
complete the job to your satisfaction. Here are some questions you
should ask in each interview:
A contractor should carry workers' compensation insurance to protect
you in the event of an accident on your property. If a worker is injured
on your property, you might be held liable for all costs unless the
employee is covered by workers' compensation insurance. Ask the
contractor to have their insurer send you current certificates of
workers' compensation coverage.
Don't forget that companies who carry the proper insurance and follow
the insurer's guidelines for safety will have higher job overhead costs.
These expenses could be the cause of price variations between
contractors who follow the standards and those who ignore them.
Roofers who do not carry insurance will most likely be cheaper to hire
as they do not have large insurance premiums to pay, but hiring them
brings substantial financial risk.
Check with your state and local licensing authorities to determine the
requirements for a contractor to operate in their jurisdiction. Be aware
that a business license is a tax requirement only and is not directly
relevant to the contractor's competence.
Several roofing manufacturers offer a variety of programs, to the
professional contractor, that establish their credentials as a
knowledgeable roofing company. Homeowners can view these
credentials as another indicator of the contractor's degree of
knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to the roofing trade.
Needless to say, longer is better. Less than three years may signal an
unstable business or one low on the learning curve. On the other
hand, everybody has to start sometime. References will be helpful to
double check any business, and are especially important when dealing
with a new business.
A good contractor will warrant his workmanship for a period of one
year or more. The length of the warranty is less important than the
intent and ability of the roofer to stand behind his work. Again, this is
best evaluated using customer referrals.
Ask previous customers the following questions: Was the contractor
responsive when asked for information and changes? Did the
contractor act as if he cared about the customer's interest? Would
you call the company trustworthy?
Try to find out how your contractor handles problems when they do
arise. Ask the contractor if he has ever lost a job related court case.
Ask if the contractor's license has ever been suspended and why. You
can also talk to the appropriate authorities, such as the Better
Business Bureau and licensing departments, to find out if any
complaints have been filed against the contractors you have
interviewed and how those complaints were handled. Many
contractors, in business for any length of time, have been involved in a
dispute. The key is how the dispute was resolved.
Your choice of a contractor is vital to the success of your roofing
project. Select him or her with care, as you would any other
professional, like a doctor or lawyer. Get started by using the following
methods to select possible candidates:
- Referrals are the best way to find a contractor. Ask your friends,
relatives, neighbors and business associates if they know
anyone that they would recommend. - Job site signs in your neighborhood offer you the opportunity to
see a contractor in action. Talk to the homeowner about the
quality of his work. - Check with manufacturers like Certainteed, Elk, GAF, and
Owens Corning. They have "look-up" programs, on their web
sites, that find factory trained and certified contractors in your
area.
Once the candidates have been selected, you should take the time to
interview them and discuss the details of your project. Be prepared to
ask the questions that will help you determine whether or not this is a
reliable professional who will be easy to work with and be able to
complete the job to your satisfaction. Here are some questions you
should ask in each interview:
- Does the company carry insurance?
A contractor should carry workers' compensation insurance to protect
you in the event of an accident on your property. If a worker is injured
on your property, you might be held liable for all costs unless the
employee is covered by workers' compensation insurance. Ask the
contractor to have their insurer send you current certificates of
workers' compensation coverage.
Don't forget that companies who carry the proper insurance and follow
the insurer's guidelines for safety will have higher job overhead costs.
These expenses could be the cause of price variations between
contractors who follow the standards and those who ignore them.
Roofers who do not carry insurance will most likely be cheaper to hire
as they do not have large insurance premiums to pay, but hiring them
brings substantial financial risk.
- Is the company a licensed or credentialed contractor?
Check with your state and local licensing authorities to determine the
requirements for a contractor to operate in their jurisdiction. Be aware
that a business license is a tax requirement only and is not directly
relevant to the contractor's competence.
Several roofing manufacturers offer a variety of programs, to the
professional contractor, that establish their credentials as a
knowledgeable roofing company. Homeowners can view these
credentials as another indicator of the contractor's degree of
knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to the roofing trade.
- How long has the company been in business?
Needless to say, longer is better. Less than three years may signal an
unstable business or one low on the learning curve. On the other
hand, everybody has to start sometime. References will be helpful to
double check any business, and are especially important when dealing
with a new business.
- What is the company's workmanship warranty?
A good contractor will warrant his workmanship for a period of one
year or more. The length of the warranty is less important than the
intent and ability of the roofer to stand behind his work. Again, this is
best evaluated using customer referrals.
Ask previous customers the following questions: Was the contractor
responsive when asked for information and changes? Did the
contractor act as if he cared about the customer's interest? Would
you call the company trustworthy?
- What is the company's track record for solving
customer complaints?
Try to find out how your contractor handles problems when they do
arise. Ask the contractor if he has ever lost a job related court case.
Ask if the contractor's license has ever been suspended and why. You
can also talk to the appropriate authorities, such as the Better
Business Bureau and licensing departments, to find out if any
complaints have been filed against the contractors you have
interviewed and how those complaints were handled. Many
contractors, in business for any length of time, have been involved in a
dispute. The key is how the dispute was resolved.
