When the time comes to replace or repair your roof, chances are your mind is racing with questions ranging from what kind of material to use, to insurance claims processing, who the best roofing company is and if they’re available.
There is one relatively easy thing homeowners can do when they’re considering the best roofing contractor: hire a roofing contractor that is licensed, bonded, insured, and has some kind of certification.
This blog will cover what some of these licenses and certifications are. When it comes to your home, you don’t want to leave it up to chance and just hope for the best. You want to shop for local roofing contractors with confidence, rather than leaving it up to chance and hoping for the best.
Why Are Contractor Licenses Important?
First off – we can’t emphasize enough the importance of considering a roofing contractor that is fully licensed in the state you’re living in. If the state doesn’t require a license, then determine whether or not the potential contractor is registered with some government entity, like the state Department of Labor.
Licensure requires money, time, and even passing tests. When contractors are doing good business, they don’t buck at taking the time and resources to ensure their business can prove their mettle.
Often, licensed contractors not only have a better understanding of industry best practices, but most states require licensed roofing contractors to carry insurance. Your budget-friendly roofer likely doesn’t have a good read on those best practices. Also, they likely won’t guarantee their questionable work. That could leave you to pay for expensive repairs later.
Hiring a low-cost, off-the-books contractor may be appealing to your wallet, but in the long-run, your wallet may pay out a lot more money for shoddy or incomplete work. Do yourself the favor and exclude any budget roofers without licensing from consideration not now, but right now.
What is “Licensed, Bonded and Insured”
If you’re looking for a qualified roofing contractor, or any contractor worth their salt, they’re going to have insurance. Many contractors even advertise that they’re bonded and insured. But, what does that even mean?
Think of a bond as a supplemental insurance plan. A contractor’s insurance may cover some accidents and protect them against some litigation. In addition to this, a contractor pays for bonds to help cover other losses or expenses that might be incurred on a job.
Bonds will also guarantee a payout if certain conditions to the scope of work are or aren’t met in the contracts you’ve signed. There are actually quite a few types of bonds available to contractors. These are all a means to protect you and/or the contractor while doing business.
The point is, if you see phrases like, “Licensed, Bonded, and Insured,” when looking for a roofing contractor, that typically means the contractor has done all they can to legitimize their business. They care about protecting not only themselves, but you as well.
How to Check for a Roofing Contractor’s License
Thanks to the internet, most license and insurance information can be found online. A contractor may publish their information on their website or on their social media page. If there are no social media pages or websites to find, you can still try to pull up a contractor’s license through your state’s department of labor website.
More often than not, contractors will have their license and insurance numbers printed on their business cards, flyers, even vehicles and equipment.
What and Certifications Should I Look For?
Certified roofers undergo brand- and industry-specific training with those partner manufacturers. Contractor crews have a better understanding of the roofing process, from new roof builds to roofing maintenance and repairs. Leading companies, like Owens Corning, CertainTeed, and IKO, all offer certifications to qualified contractors to help them utilize and install their quality roofing materials the first time.
Not only that, but if there is an issue with your certified roofing installation, the manufacturer usually extends normal warranties up to an additional 20 years. This provides customers with even more protections and guarantees for work and material.
Simply put – certifications are yet another layer of protection for the customer. You want to feel even more confident that the contractor you’re looking to hire is the right one for the job.
For more on roofing contractor certifications, check out this article from the National Roofing Contractors Association.
Buildpro Is Proudly Certified
If there’s one thing we know about roofing, it’s this: A roof is only as good as the company that installed or replaced it. There’s almost no better way to evaluate how reputable a roofing company is than by looking at its certifications.
Buildpro happens to have some of the best certifications in the business. Our partnerships and certifications with Owens Corning, CertainTeed help us guarantee a job well done. We are an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor and we are both Master Shingle Applicator and Select Shinglemaster certified from CertainTeed.
We always offer free estimates and consultations, so contact us today for all your roofing needs.