Who you hire to repair or replace your roof directly affects how well it protects your home and family from the elements. This makes it essential to vet residential roofers in Des Moines before you decide who to hire. If you’ve never looked for a roofer before, the following guide for evaluating roofing contractors can make this task easier.

Qualities to Look for in a Residential Roofer

Create a shortlist of contractors with the following qualities, then ask for quotes and begin comparing prices:

Licensing

In Iowa, contractors who offer residential roofing services must be licensed through the state Division of Labor. When you’re vetting roofers, be sure to check that they have an up-to-date state license.

Insurance coverage

The best roofers have liability coverage and workers’ compensation insurance in place to provide their customers with ample protection in case property damage occurs or their employees get injured on the job. To ensure you’re covered, ask each roofing contractor you’re considering for a copy of their insurance certificates.

Financial stability

Reputable roofers are financially stable, so they don’t need to have a up-front down payment to cover the cost of supplies or payroll for their employees. For peace of mind about a roofer’s financial stability, ask about their payment plan. Know in advance that if a roofer ever asks you for a down payment, you should move on and look for other options. Good roofers can be trusted to get the job done without demanding you to pay a portion of your bill first.

Reputation

Honest, reliable roofers have a long-term history in the area and are known for giving back to the community. They can also provide you with a list of previous customers whom you can contact for references. You can further judge a contractor’s reputation by whether they have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and positive unbiased reviews on sites like GuildQuality.

Certifications and Affiliations

Inquire whether a roofing contractor is certified by leading manufacturers like Owens Corning, GAF and CertainTeed. Only the best roofers in the industry are chosen as Platinum Preferred, Master Select, and Select ShingleMaster contractors, which demonstrates their dedication to superior workmanship, customer service, and staying current on the latest best practices and training.

Warranties

Be sure to ask each contractor you’re considering hiring about your options for workmanship and material warranties on your roof repair or replacement. Because of their status with leading manufacturers, certified roofing contractors are able to offer the best warranties in the industry.

Contact us at VanWeelden Company to learn why we’re considered one of the preferred residential roofers in Des Moines.

Read: Is It Time to Replace Your Roof?