Choosing the Right Metal Roofing Contractor

Not all metal roofing contractors are alike. Some are big, national companies with the ability to coordinate and staff a wide range of residential and commercial projects. Others are small family-owned companies with a couple of full-time people who hire part time workers depending on the size of the job. Regardless of the size, you want a company where the professionals will deliver a quality standing seam metal roof system at an honest price. Here are some questions you can ask and some guidelines you can follow to help you make that choice:

Tips For Evaluating Metal Roof Contractors

Make sure the metal roofing contractor licensed. Many states require a roofer be licensed in the state; however, all states are different. Check the code requirements in your area. And be sure the roofer’s license is up to date.
Check to make sure the metal roofing contractor has liability coverage and workman’s comp insurance. General liability covers your actual property while workman’s comp covers the employees working on your property. Insist on seeing copies of both certificates. Make sure the coverages are current and will be for the duration of your job. This certificate will list your name and address as an additional insured, so if something happens on the job, you –and all of your hard-earned property – are covered. If you still feel hesitant, call the insurance company and ask.
Make sure you choose a metal roofing company that is financially stable. Ask for proof. If the metal roofing contractor you hire goes out of business, your project might not be completed and any warranty agreement given by the roofing contractor might not be honored. Run a credit check on the contractor to ensure it is financially stable. A professional metal roofing contractor can provide financial information about his company.
Choose a company that has a proven track record. Ask for client references and telephone numbers and a list of completed projects you can visit. Call the clients to learn if they are satisfied. Ask if the candidate can provide projects specifically completed in or near your neighborhood.
Insist on a detailed, written proposal for your review and make sure it contains complete descriptions of the work to be done, the specifications to be met, and the costs of material and labor. This will come in handy in having an apples to apples comparison when you are considering proposals from more than one metal roofing contractor. Specifications are important because they tell you how much material the roofer plans to use including total square feet of metal roofing panel, insulation, ice and water shield, drip edge and the number of clips and their spacing-all of which are required in installing your metal roof.
Ask if they will do a rooftop inspection, whether the old roof must be removed and if the cost of removal is included in the contract.
Ask the contractor for a list of roofing material manufacturers with which his company is an approved installer. Most material manufacturers offering contractor training for the installation of their products including metal panels, underlayment and clips. Ask the contractor to produce written certification that he and his team have undergone training.
Check to see if the contractor is a member of local, regional and national business and professional associations like the local chamber of commerce or the National Roofing Contractors Association. Being a member of an organization demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and community. Check the contractor’s track record with the local association.
Call your local Better Business Bureau or building official to learn if any complaints have been filed against the contractor.
Carefully read and understand metal roofing warrantees from both the contractor and each manufacturer of the products specified. Be aware of conditions that would void them.
Remember price is not the only criterion for choosing a metal roofing contractor. The expertise of the roofer and the materials chosen to put your new standing seam metal roof together can widely vary on the same job. Compare the proposals you receive. And if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.