When you need a new roof, it’s important to choose the right person. The best person for the job is a roofing general contractor.
A roofing general contractor is a skilled craftsman who knows how to work on a variety of construction projects, including residential and commercial roofing. He or she also has a strong background in hiring and managing subcontractors and can make sure that your project gets completed on time and on budget.
Experience
A general contractor is a multi-talented individual or company that handles several different aspects of building a home or commercial structure. Their responsibilities may include hiring, managing and overseeing subcontractors such as plumbers, HVAC contractors and roofing experts.
A good general contractor should have at least a few credentials to show for their efforts, including a licensed and insured team of workers. Their experience translates into a higher quality project that will last longer and require less maintenance in the future.
They can also boast of a top-notch customer service department, and a staff of professional estimators that will be there to answer your questions. If you are considering a general contractor to handle your roof replacement, make sure they have the right licenses and insurance. Their credentials should be accompanied by several well-written estimates. You can use these estimates as a guide to compare prices and get the best deal for your new or repaired roof.
License
Roofing General Contractors are generally required to hold a license. This can be a state or local license.
The requirements can vary from state to state, but it is always best to check your own local licensing laws before starting a roofer business. It is also a good idea to get certified to prove that you are knowledgeable in the industry.
Typically, the process of getting your roofing contractor license will include an exam that demonstrates your skills. This may be a trade exam and/or a business and law exam. Some states even offer educational classes to help you prepare for your exam.
Insurance
Roofing General Contractors have many of the same insurance needs as construction contractors, but their specialties are different. Unlike other trades, a roofing contractor’s job duties are more varied and complicated than other contracting jobs, which means that insurance needs to be carefully arranged to protect the company against possible claims.
Workers’ Compensation: This insurance is required in most states for roofers and other construction companies, and it pays medical costs, disability benefits and lost wages if one of your employees is injured or falls ill while performing their job duties.
Errors and Omissions (E&O): This policy is also needed if you provide design advice or recommendations to your clients, and it covers you if they sue you for a mistake that causes them financial loss.
Commercial Auto: This coverage is usually required by law for business-owned vehicles, and it helps pay for damage to a vehicle when you’re transporting materials or employees from job sites to other locations.
Warranty
A roofing warranty is an insurance policy that provides a certain level of protection against defects in building materials. It can come from a manufacturer, a contractor or a combination of the two.
Most warranties offer 20 to 50 years of coverage, but there are some important limitations that must be understood before making a purchase. Some of these limitations include voiding the warranty by using improper repair materials or methods, installing a new roof over an existing one, and failing to register the warranty.
A good roofing general contractor will always offer a workmanship warranty that guarantees their work. This ensures that if any mistakes are made during the installation process, the contractor will come back to fix them.