Roofing contractors in places like Arizona have good reputations. However, people regularly come forward with incidents where they were tricked and misled. Members of the Arizona Roofing Contractors Association are concerned about this facet of the roofing business and want to put an end to it.
In fact, they have devised various strategies to counter the misdeeds of such contractors while performing roof installation, roof repair or replacement. While these points may not be absolute insulation for such cheating and “scams” by Arizona contractors, they will certainly act as protection against such unscrupulous acts by these ruffians masquerading as roofing contractors.
1. Only licensed contractors should be considered for work.
When making a deal with a roofer for roofing repairs, look for their license number or license identification on their card, proposal, or letterhead. If he owns one, he will be happy to show it to you. If you don’t, or have been “exempt,” then it’s risky for you. C-42 (residential), L-42 (commercial), and K-42 (dual) are the Arizona roofing licenses and everything else is forged or not from the State of Arizona.
2. License verification
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors should be contacted at (602) 542-1525 to verify the roofing contractors license. The license holder must be in good standing, not have many complaints filed against him, and be a duly classified professional in the respective field. Some complaints should not be a deterrent to you, as most contractors are subject to minimal and unfounded complaints.
3. Purchase insurance
Before you let anyone set foot on your roof, make sure it’s properly secured. This includes liability as well as workers’ compensation insurance. This protects you against ingenious claims and lawsuits from third parties if accidents, injuries and damages not caused by you occur during the contract period.
4. Know your contractor well
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors and the Better Business Bureau can provide you with the necessary details that are not superficially visible about your roofing contractor. This is important as not only high profile, high ranking contractors are good. References and a reality check on the contractor’s history may be enough to tell if he’s your guy or not.
5. Know your priorities
When entering into a signed agreement, always keep what you want. Prioritize your goals with them and get a clearly defined price list. You should also include all incidental expenses and roof repair obligations up front. Document the contract on paper as well, for easy reference and safe dealings with the contractor later.
6. Understand the terms of the contract
Typically, a roofing contractor mentions their terms and conditions in the contract. He must make it clear to acquire the meaning and understanding of those terms in their entirety. There may be some uncommon terms, but you should contact a local roofing professional and clear them up.
7. Price and warranty should not be your only guide
Even though most reputable roofing companies have warranties and reasonable prices, they shouldn’t be your only criteria for selecting someone for your roof repairs. Lower prices should not be considered gambling as the roofing contractor may find a shorter and negative (for you) way to complete the project.