Protect yourself by hiring a company with integrity, says Steve Daddario of Daddario Roofing Company.
Since even the most diligent companies can’t monitor their employees every moment, “You must have people who care about their work,” says Mr. Daddario. “No matter how diligently a job is supervised, if workers want to cut corners they can.”
Your best hedge against these problems, says Mr. Daddario, is to hire established roofing companies with a proven track record. If possible, choose one with long-term employees, who tend to be the most loyal and well treated—and typically repay that treatment with a solid, reliable work ethic.
“These are the professionals who value integrity and quality work,” says Mr. Daddario. “They care about putting a roof on for you, like they would care about putting a roof on their own home. Those people are hard to find.”
He recommends exercising caution when dealing with contractors whose prices are markedly lower than their competitors. Often, he says, they figure out some other way to build the difference into their margins.
Similarly, keep in mind that an uninsured contractor will nearly always deliver the lowest bid. Given the nature of roofing work and the potential for catastrophic injury to a worker, Mr. Daddario recommends against using uninsured contractors for any reason. He even cites cases, though infrequent ones, of contractors presenting expired certificates of insurance.
“It’s a document with a lot of information on it. And the expiration date is hidden in there,” says Mr. Daddario. These types of problems have worsened with the economic instability of the last few years, he says.
He also suggests checking with the Better Business Bureau for current complaints, particular unresolved ones.
