So, you are thinking to yourself that it is time to replace your roof, but you are not sure where to begin? Well, the best thing you can do to make replacing your roof easier on yourself is to select the right roofing contractor. A quick Google Search will reveal to you that there is no shortage of roofing contractors in Elizabeth, NJ, and surrounding areas. And if this is your first time replacing your roof, you may not know where to begin when it comes to hiring a roofer.
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Tips for selecting from the roofing contractors in Elizabeth, NJ
How to select the right roofing contractor from the long list of roofers to choose from. Not all contractors are created equal and replacing your roof is a major home improvement project and you need a reliable and qualified contractor to ensure the job is completed right. With this goal in mind, here are the answers to the top questions that come with choosing a roofing contractor in the Elizabeth, NJ area.
How do I choose a reputable roofing contractor?
Selecting a roofing contractor with a great reputation and a history of successful roof replacement projects in your area is a vital step to ensuring that your project goes smoothly. There are tons of “roofers” out there with little to no experience or random guys you can find on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist who will “take a crack” at your roofing project. But, while these “contractors” might be a little cheaper, all too often, people end up spending more time and money on the roofing project because they have to go back and find a reputable roofer to fix whatever the less experienced guy did not do right.
Meaning, it is better to hire a reputable, experienced roofing contractor in Elizabeth, NJ the first time. You can cut out a great deal of the online noise and find a reputable contractor by checking out online reviews, company websites, and their rating on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Check to see if the contractor you are considering has at least 4 stars on sites like Google and Facebook. Note, if you notice that the company you are researching does not have any reviews on these sites, this is either a sign that the business, or at least the name they are using, is too new to have had anyone leave them a review yet. Or, the contractor had so many negative reviews, they turned off these features on these sites to try to keep new customers from learning about them. Either way, you might want to keep looking!
How do you shop for roofers?
There are a couple of methods you can use to find a reliable roofing contractor. In today’s digital world, a good first step in this process is to open your laptop or smartphone, and Google; top roofing contractors in Elizabeth NJ, or reputable roofing companies near me. This will pull up a list of roofers in your area. You will likely see ads first, sometimes these ads offer discounts or advertise sales and there is not anything wrong with exploring these. But if you prefer, you can scroll down to the map or organic listings, select a couple of contractors to do more research on, or call for a quote.
Once you have selected a couple of contractors to research, you can begin by checking the online reviews, like we mentioned above, is a great place to start but you can also seek real-world advice from the people in your life. Do you know any friends, family members, or coworkers who have had their own roofs replaced in the past five or six years? Turn to them for a referral, they will be able to tell you what roofing company they used and go into more personal details on the experience they had with them.
Do you need a license to be a roofer in New Jersey?
Most states have minimum requirements for roofing contractors. And your local municipality may have its own requirements to consider. For example, many states in the country require roofers to be licensed but the state of New Jersey does not. However, New Jersey does require that home contractors register with the state.
Should my roofer have insurance?
While licensing may be optional in the state of New Jersey for roofing contractors, other requirements exist for your protection as a homeowner. You should never do business with a roofing company or home contractor that does not have insurance. Without insurance, you can find yourself in a good deal of legal or financial trouble if your roofing project goes south.
You should always ask your contractor to provide proof of insurance when they are providing you with a quote. Never sign a contract without seeing this important proof first!
Getting multiple quotes
Replacing your roof is a major home improvement project that will pack a decent-sized price tag. If this is the first time you are hiring a roofer, and you are not sure what to expect, you may want to get two or three quotes. Doing this will not only allow you to compare prices and warranty options but you will get a feel of what it might be like to work with each contractor. Thus, you will feel better about the people who will be working on and around your home.
Picking from the list of roofing contractors in Elizabeth, NJ
A new roof is a huge financial commitment and it is vitally important that you hire a contractor who you can trust to take your project as seriously as you do. So, before you sign a contract or work begins, take a few simple steps to ensure you are about to hire the right roofing company for your home. Do some research on the roofing contractors in your area, check their BBB ratings and online reviews, get personal referrals if you can. Make sure the business you hire is properly insured and do not be afraid to get two or three quotes.
