RISMEDIA, Nov. 15, 2007-Southern California homeowners and building owners looking to repair or replace their damaged roof systems after the recent wildfires should heed this important advice: Insist on a professional. The National Roofing Contractors Association can help you find a professional roofing contractor in your area. Here are some valuable guidelines to help you in your decision:Check for a permanent place of business and telephone, tax I.D. and California roofing contractor’s license (license C39) numbers. You can contact the California State Licensing Board at (800) 321-2752 or www.cslb.ca.gov for more information.
Insist on seeing copies of the contractor’s liability and workers’ compensation insurance certificates. Make sure the coverages are in effect through the duration of the job.
Look for a company with a proven track record that readily offers client references and a list of completed projects. Call these clients to find out whether they were satisfied.
Insist on a written proposal and examine it for complete descriptions of the work and specifications, including approximate starting and completion dates and payment procedures.
Check to see if the contractor is a member of any local, state, regional or national industry associations, such as the Roofing Contactors Association of California and NRCA.
Call your local Better Business Bureau to check for any complaints that have been filed.
Have the contractor explain his project supervision and quality-control procedures.
Request the name of the person who will be in charge, how many workers will be required and the estimated time of completion.
Carefully read and understand any roofing warranty offered and watch for provisions that would void it. Keep a healthy skepticism about the lowest bid. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember, price is only one criterion for selecting a roofing contractor. Professionalism and quality workmanship also should weigh heavily on your decision.
For more information, visit www.nrca.net.
