Once you’ve chosen the type of metal roof you want to install, it’s time to start thinking about installation day. If you’re hiring a contractor to install your new roof, here are a few questions you may want to ask them to ensure your installation goes as smoothly as possible.
#1 Are You Licensed and Insured?
This may seem like a basic question to ask, but it’s actually one of the most important ones. You would be surprised how many businesses are not licensed or insured. Make sure you have confirmation (even proof of documentation) before hiring someone.
#2 How Long Have You Been in This Business?
Ensuring the company you choose has years of experience is important. This can help you feel rest-assured you’re working with someone who knows what they’re doing.
#3 Can You Provide Me With References and Examples of Previous Work?
Especially if you’ve chosen a company you’re not familiar with, you should always ask for references and even examples of previous work. This will allow you to confirm the contractors have worked with metal roofing before, and can give you a feel for how other customers rate them.
#4 What Warranties Does Your Company Provide?
This is different from your metal panel’s warranty information — especially if you’re purchasing your materials from a separate company. If your contracting company has any warranties available for their workmanship, be sure to ask them about it so you can utilize them if needed.
#5 How Will You Protect My Gutters, Lawn, Etc.?
Installation is a messy process before a beautiful end result. You should make sure to confirm with the contractor how their set-up and clean-up processes work. Make sure your driveway, landscaping and lawn, your gutters, and any other elements on or below the roof are well protected before, during, and after the entire process.
#6 What is My Project’s Timeline?
It’s important to get an idea of an estimated timeline of completion. Nothing would be more inconvenient than a re-roofing job that takes more than the agreed upon timeline. Get a confirmation of how long your metal roofing installation will take to avoid any confusion or miscommunication.
#7 How Will You Install My New Roof?
This answer to this question is crucial to the longevity and performance of your new roof. If you are replacing an old roof, make sure to ask this question especially. It is NEVER recommended to just simply install a metal roof over existing old roofing materials (like asphalt shingles).
Doing this can affect the lifespan of your roof, and cause bigger problems down the road. Make sure you confirm with your contractor that the old materials will be removed and safely disposed of before your new metal panels are installed.
#8 What Are My Payment Options?
Getting a metal roof installed comes a cost. You’ll want to be sure you have a written estimate, talk through any financing options, and discuss the payment terms. There may be a set schedule you should follow. You also want to make sure that there are no hidden costs or fees. Asking this question before installation can help you avoid any headaches down the road when it comes to payment.
#9 What Happens If There’s a Problem?
From inclement weather on the day of install to an issue found post-install, it is vital to talk about any future issues that can occur and how they will be handled. Establishing a point-person to contact about any issues can help you avoid being left in the dark. Be sure to talk with your contractor about any potential problems that can occur so you’re covered.
Some Other Recommendations to Consider
While these may not be questions to ask your contractor, here are a few other things you’ll want to consider when hiring a metal roofing installer:
- Make sure they have worked with and installed metal roofing before.
- Do you research and compare multiple contractors — everything from pricing to length of time in business.
- If they can’t directly and clearly answer your questions, you may want to reconsider your other options.
- Be sure contacting the company is easy. Nothing’s worse than having questions and not being able to receive answers in a timely fashion, or not receiving answers altogether.
- If possible, drive around and take a look at some of their previous work. You can get a feel for the quality of their work that way.
- If you’re hiring a contractor after a big storm or even natural disaster, ALWAYS be on the lookout for scams. Some companies can take advantage of this type of damage — don’t let it happen to you.
