The Guide to Hiring a Qualified Contractor: What You Need to Know

The basics of knowing if your contractor is licensed isn't all you want to check into — you should also inquire about their credentials, experience, and the quality of their work. It is important to properly vet potential contractors - beyond confirming licensure, there are a few other key elements to consider. By taking the extra steps to research the contractor and make sure they are knowledgeable and experienced in the work, you protect your investment and the outcome of your project.

It is important to be aware that roofing contractors need to carry specialized insurance in order to protect their customers should an issue arise during their work. For instance, if the contractor has liability insurance for a particular service such as installing siding, but he/she is installing a roof and a leak occurs, the liability insurance would not cover the incident. To ensure your job will be fully covered, it is important to speak to the contractor's insurance agent to verify that their general liability policy will cover your job.

When looking for a reputable roofer, it is important to assess their reputation. Doing a bit of research and checking reviews from past customers can tell you a lot about the contractor's level of integrity. A good, experienced roofer will have a great customer satisfaction rate that reflects the quality of their work. It is also helpful to ask for references and to contact them to get an honest opinion of their experience with the roofer. Taking the time to properly vet your roofer will ensure that your roof project meets your expectations.

Hiring contractors can be a complex process, with some contractors choosing to utilize the services of sub-contractors while others opt to use employees. There are pros and cons to each option, so let’s look at each one a bit closer and what it could mean for your job. 

When it comes to sub-contractors, there can be a high-risk factor due to their workers not being as adequately covered under compensation and liability policies. Additionally, when it comes to quality, there can be a disparity as you are not necessarily hiring the sub-contractor themselves, but rather whoever they hire out to work on the job. Sub-contractors are typically offered lower per square rate of payment, in turn meaning they may be pressed for time to complete the job and so the quality of the job may be sacrificed. 

Employees offer a system with more even quality in terms of their work as they receive training specifically for the job that needs to be completed and are paid an hourly rate for the duration of their efforts. There is less risk to the customer as employees are adequately covered by liability policies and workers’ compensation, making it a safer option than opting for a sub-contractor.

When it comes to deciding which of these two to hire, we recommend opting for an employee-based company to complete the job and meet the highest quality standards.

When selecting a roofing contractor, it is important to compare the services offered and check that they meet your requirements. 



• Ensure they offer material and workmanship warranties.
• Clarify if the worker is an employee or contractor.
• Confirm that they have the necessary insurance and licenses. 
• Read customer reviews and ratings.
• Look for a contractor who has a good reputation. 
• Request an overview of the installation procedures.
• Investigate whether it is possible to agree on a fixed rate for the job instead of a per-piece rate so that there are no surprises on your final bill.

By asking the right questions and doing proper research, you can find a reliable contractor to deliver your project.

It is important to verify that your contractor has an established physical location that you can visit in order to ensure they are legitimate and have a solid presence in the community. Doing your due diligence when researching potential contractors will provide the peace of mind you are dealing with a reliable and trustworthy contractor.

Having years of experience in the industry can heavily influence the success of a job, from the beginning stages to the completion. An experienced contractor will generally be better equipped to handle any project, ensuring it runs smoothly and is completed in a timely manner. An experienced contractor is also better equipped to handle the logistical elements of a job, such as managing the work of subcontractors and vendors, creating cost-effective solutions, and understanding the craftsmanship required to produce a quality product. All of this translates to quicker completion times, decreased costs, and a higher-quality result.

It's always best to do your own research when looking for the right contractor. Checking out websites, images, and physical locations where the contractor has done work before can be a great way to evaluate how the job might look in the end. Ensure that the finished product meets your expectations and is up to standard. Weigh all the available options before making any final decision so that you can feel confident you chose the right professional for the job.