FAQ symbol to prompt questions to ask a roofer before hiring one
If you are reading this, most likely your roof is in need of repair. Whether it be from strong winds, leaks, missing shingles or from rotten wood there are 12 Questions to Ask a Roofer. In all honesty, you will most likely need a professional roof contractor to repair or replace the damaged roof. Before signing the contract, thus sealing the deal, you should ask about the following 12 questions to ask a roofer.

#1 – Where is Your Roofing Business Located?

Unfortunately, scams are real. In this day and age, you must take precaution. To start with, before hiring a Pittsburgh Roofing Contractor, make sure you get the name and physical address of all potential roofing companies. From there, countercheck the information they give you either online or by physically visiting the location if possible. If the contractor lacks any of these two, then do not hire them. M&Y Pittsburgh Roofing is located at 4552 McKnight rd, Unit #6 Pittsburgh, PA 15237. Call us at 412-218-7082 for a free consultation.

#2 – Do You Have Any References and Reviews?

To be brief, the standard of a roofing contractor, like most other professionals, heavily depends on the reviews they receive from previous customers. The more references and positive reviews they have, the better. Check out our 5-star reviews.You won’t be disappointed.

#3 – What Does it Cost for Roofing Work?

Although the contractor might not be able to give you an exact cost for the whole project at the very beginning, they can give you estimates. It is essential to ask for these numbers early on. Otherwise, you will not know whether the contractor fits your budget. For the best price, ask three to four contractors to get an estimate so that you can negotiate moving forward. Costs to Consider Before Hiring a Pittsburgh Roofing Company:
  • Before signing a contract, get an estimate in writing.
  • Get them to include the cost for removal of the roof.
  • Have them include the cost of adding the new roof.
  • Ask them to add in the cost for removing rotten wood, as a precaution.

#4 – Do You Have Workers’ Compenstation Insurance?

Roofing jobs, like any other construction project, carry many risks to both the contractor and yourself. Before picking a roofing contractor, ask if they have insurance.   Workers’ compensation insurance clears you of any liability if the contractor or any other worker gets hurt during the project. A right contractor should also have insurance that compensates you for any damage to your house caused by the contractor’s actions. The Dangers of Using a Contractor Without Workers’ Compensation Insurance:
  • Your insurance has to pay if the worker gets injured.
  • It’s actually a criminal offense when a company does not have insurance.
Here at M&Y Pittsburgh Roofing, we are reliable, licensed, insured and a trusted roofing contractor in Pittsburgh, PA and surrounding areas.

#5 – Do You Have a Roofing License?

Not all states issue roof contractors with roofing licenses, which are different from business licenses. To be sure, do some research about the roofing requirements of your state. If a permit is essential, then make sure the roofing contractor you hire has a roofing license. Regarding M&Y Pittsburgh Roofing:
  • We are reliable, licensed, insured and a trusted roofing contractor in Pittsburgh, PA and surrounding areas.
  • Secondly, we are certified and a preferred contractor through Owens Corning Manufacturer. Consequently, they recognize us for our high-quality installations and highly recommend our roofing services.

#6 – Will You Remove the Old Roof?

In most cases, the roofing contractor should altogether remove the old roof and set up a new structure. Some, alternatively, use the short and more natural way of just adding shingles and replacing individual wood beams. Doing this not only robs you of the money you are paying for the roofing job, but it also exposes you to further damage in the future.

#7 – What Will You do About the Roofing Waste Materials?

As a homeowner, it is not your job to deal with construction waste unless you are the one doing the construction. Additionally, a roofing contractor should bring a container to hold all refuse material resulting from the roofing project. They should also get rid of the waste themselves, as they know best how to handle the materials in an environmentally friendly way. Beware of Pittsburgh Roofing Contractors who bring dumpsters to your home. At M&Y Pittsburgh Roofing, we do not use dumpsters! Dumpsters can cause damage and scratches to your landscape and driveway. What We Use When We Come to Your Home:
  • During the time we are working on your roof, we use Dump Trailers on Rubber Wheels to prevent damage to your driveway and landscape.
  • Also, we use our own state of the art equipment, EQUIPTER RB4000. It maneuvers easily around tight spaces, landscaping, and sidewalks to reduce property damage risks.

#8 – Do You Have a Warranty?

Next on the top 12 questions to ask a roofer list would be to ask your potential contractor if they have a warranty for their work. A warranty will protect you from further costs in the future if the new roof ends up with faults. If the contractor you are dealing with offers no warranties, it is recommended that you not use them for roofing services. It is a common practice to have 2 different types of warranties: #1 – Workmanship Warranty – Workmanship warranties offer homeowners and business owners peace of mind by guaranteeing a professional installation. #2 – Roofing Material Warranty – Roofing material warranties offer homeowners and business owners peace of mind by offering protection against shingles that are defective. M&Y Pittsburgh Roofing offers an automatic 5-year workmanship warranty. By the same token, after your project is finalized, we will register your completed roof project with the manufacturer, bumping the manufacturer warranty to a 10 year workmanship warranty and a 50-year roofing material warranty.

#9 – How Long Should I Expect The Job to Take?

By choosing a seasoned, experienced, and licensed roofing contractor (like M&Y Pittsburgh Roofing), the average roof being replaced takes approximately one to two days – from start to finish.

#10 – Does Someone Need to Be Home for the Roof Install?

Next-off on the most important 12 Questions to Ask a Roofer list: After the initial consultation and free estimate, it is typically not necessary for someone to be home the entirety of a roof installation. Pittsburgh Roofing goes the extra mile when preferring to briefly meet with someone the day work begins – this way we can ensure expectations.

#11 – Do You Deliver the Shingles Prior to Installation?

The delivery of shingles to one’s residence or business, prior to installation, varies depending on a number of circumstances. For example, here at M&Y Pittsburg Roofing, we coordinate delivery with each homeowner or business to avoid inconveniences that customers face with unprofessional roofing contractors.

#12 – Do You Offer Maintenance?

Professional and licensed roofing contractors always offer a maintenance plan. The question then becomes, “Why do I need maintenance if I have a warranty?” According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), it is recommended that your roof be checked out at least twice yearly – due to severe weather seasons such as winter and summer storms. What to expect when scheduling a maintenance session with M&Y Pittsburgh Roofing:
  • Our professional roofing contractors will inspect and repair roof debris after severe wind, rain, hail, ice and snowstorms.
  • Our Pittsburgh roofing experts will also investigate flashings, copings and roof systems to make sure there have been no metal penetrations to the roof after severe storms.

Why So Many Questions?

To sum up the 12 Questions to Ask a Roofer, it is recommended to ask such questions so that you get a seasoned and experienced roofer for your project – eliminating unnecessary worries. In fact, it is a big red flag if you run across a contractor showing any hesitation in answering the above questions. As a result, your potential contractor lacks truth and reliability. Here at M&Y Pittsburgh Roofing, we offer both. As a final point, at M&Y Pittsburgh Roofing, we create beautiful roofs. And we keep roofs beautfiul by maintaining them. If you or someone you know is looking for an experienced and licensed roofer in Pittsburgh, PA, please give us a Call at 412-218-7082 for a free consultation. Learn more about how to plan a Pittsburgh Re-Roofing Project.
Author: M&Y Pittsburgh Roofing Team