“People don’t go out and buy the cheapest car they can find,” says Jon Aikele, owner of Roofmax in Concord. “They do some research and comparison shopping and find the car that suits their needs. The same should be done with roofers.”
Mr. Aikele cautions against being overly price sensitive and choosing a contractor based solely on cost. “You won’t get a proper job, and it’ll cost a lot more if you have to have it redone.”
With the Internet, homeowners have numerous tools to check contractors and build trust and confidence in their decisions. “You can avoid a lot of risk by checking sites like Diamond Certified or the Certified Contractors Network,” advises Mr. Aikele.
Longevity is another indicator of a reputable contractor who’s less likely to make mistakes. “Contractors who’ve been around for a while have beneficial experience that other contractors don’t,” says Mr. Aikele. “You can avoid pitfalls and gain the benefit of their experience.”
When it comes to multiple bids, Mr. Aikele advises not to use the bidding process as the initial screen. “It’s easier to do some research first. Then, once you’ve narrowed the choice to a short list of two or three potential contractors, seek out bids.”
It’s also critical to preemptively identify the warning signs of a roof problem. Mr. Aikele cites the following as indicators of a necessary evaluation:
• Sagging decking between the rafters
• Outside light that can be seen through the roof. This may not necessarily be a problem, but it’s best to have a professional make the determination.
• Dark spots in the wood, especially around vents, chimneys and other holes. Test to see if they’re old or current problems. If the spot is still wet, it’s a current problem. If the spot is dry and hard, it’s most likely an old problem that’s been fixed.
• Signs of water damage or leaking, usually in the form of water stains or sagging ceilings. These could be due to an active leak in the roof or condensation caused by poor roof ventilation.
