What You Need to Ask a Contractor Before You Hire
Finding the right roofing contractor can feel like a massive undertaking. In Gainesville, our roofs contend with humidity, high heat, and heavy rain; putting a ton of stress on your home every day. As the first line of defense against the weather, your roof takes the brunt of every beating. So, you want to make sure that you’re getting the kind of quality work you deserve!
All contractors should be licensed and insured in the state of Florida. But when roofers are a dime a dozen, it gets difficult to narrow down the good ones—and we know that with home insurance policy renewals requiring roof replacements, it can feel like you’re in a time crunch. Important questions can slip through the cracks. As professionals in this field, we’ve seen the worst happen: systems that fail in five years, warranties that turn out to be worthless, and homeowners getting stuck with repair bills they thought were covered.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of five major questions to ask a contractor before you hire them. This way, you’ll have insider knowledge to help you make the best decision.
What experience do you have with Florida’s weather conditions?
This isn’t just a question about whether or not your contractor can handle the Florida heat and humidity. It also reveals what they think about their work quality. In high-velocity hurricane zones (HVHZ), contractors should prioritize and install HVHZ-tested roofing materials, to ensure that your system doesn’t fail in a high-wind or hurricane-level event. Asking about the materials they use, or even if you live in an HVHZ area if you don’t know, are important qualifiers for your contractor.
Alongside the roof system, asking your contractor about roofing accessories is a must for Florida homeowners. Attic ventilation is especially important in our climate, where temperatures can soar past 120 degrees Fahrenheit in attics. A well-seasoned contractor will have several recommendations about attic vents, proper insulation, and even solar fans.
An additional question should be: how are the roofers working? Overheated workers or workers without support can double production time, create hazards, and can produce less-than-favorable results. Always ask your contractor about their work days, policy on water breaks, and start- and end-times.
Can I see an itemized estimate that breaks down all expenses, including labor, tear-off, and disposal?
This is a tried-and-true question that sets the good contractors apart. If they can provide a broken-down, line-by-line estimate with specific expenses listed clearly, and they can walk you through why each item is priced the way it is, you’ve found a quality roofer.
We see homeowners choosing contractors based solely off of their net price all the time. Unfortunately, that means that a lot of people look at $5,000 to $8,000 worth in repairs, and a premature roof replacement to boot. Cheap contractors may look appealing, but they might not be manufacturer certified, and may use subpar materials or inexperienced labor to cut costs. Making sure to ask your contractor about the materials they use by asking them to show you a line-by-line estimate can be extremely illuminating.
At Hogtown Roofing, our proposals break down each layer of the roof system, so you have a clear idea of what we’re installing. We even have lines dedicated to our dumpster and disposal policy, including a magnet sweep for any metal debris or nails we might kick up when removing your roof.
What manufacturer certifications do you hold, and what kind of warranties does that offer me?
One of the biggest indicators of a quality roofing contractor is their certifications. Like we mentioned earlier, all Florida roofing contractors must be licensed and insured, but only the well-qualified ones have certifications through manufacturers of their choice. This means that they’ve gone through hours of training to understand the manufacturer’s full system, and are especially qualified to install their products.
Being certified can also offer a contractor’s customers better warranties. With a single-manufacturer system, a contractor can offer up to a 50-year warranty, depending on the manufacturer. Make sure to ask your potential contractor about their warranties, whether or not they offer both material and workmanship coverage, and the tiers of warranties they could get you.
Some certifications you can look for are:
- Owens Corning Platinum Preferred
- CertainTeed Silver Star or Select ShingleMaster
- Atlas PRO+ or Diamond certifications
- GAF Master Elite
What’s your process for protecting my home during installation?
The priority for every home service professional is to protect the homes of our clients. During tear-off, install, and inspection, there are key safety measures that a contractor should be able to inform you about prior to a proposal being signed. We believe that this is just as important as a line-by-line estimate!
Look for contractors who supply their own dumpsters, who instruct you where to park your car or how to protect your vehicles from our work, and contractors who freely offer catch-all netting around your house. The policy for Hogtown Roofing is to leave the property looking better than we found it; check every roofer for their policies regarding your personal property, and whether or not they offer services like debris removal, nail and metal canvassing, and landscaping protection.
Can you show me examples of your work in my area?
A great way to narrow down your search is asking a contractor about their work in your neighborhood. A well-established roofing company will have several projects to show you, sometimes with your exact choice of shingle or metal. An indication of a poor roofing contractor is a lack of examples. Check their social media, if they have it, for examples of their work near you.
While asking about their projects, it’s worth touching base with a potential contractor about their specialties. A good roofer will let you know that they work primarily with shingle, metal, or another type of roofing material. For example, at Hogtown Roofing, the owner of our company, Bo Copeland, is a metal roofing expert with over 12 years of experience.
Assurances of confidence in their area of expertise is a must for any home service professional, but that’s doubly true for roofers. Your roof is your first line of defense against the elements, so you want to make sure that your contractor installs it flawlessly!
In Short: Questions Can Determine Quality
Be mindful of how each contractor takes these major questions, and how they handle the littler ones that come up. A contractor worth their salt will answer each question with ease. They might not be the cheapest price, but they deliver strong, long-term results that keep your assets safe.
Right now, North Central Florida is experiencing an insurance sweep—meaning, a lot of older homes are due for a replacement. In busy times like hurricane season, that can add extra stress that can get to your head. Don’t let the rush push you in a direction that doesn’t serve you. Spend at least two to three days getting quotes from contractors, and ask them these questions to find diamonds in the rough.
Full transparency: yes, we are roofing contractors, and we would love your business. However, we are writing this to inform people—because we think that an educated community is a safe community. At Hogtown Roofing, we believe that we’re not just working with homeowners—we’re serving our neighbors. We can help you:
- Navigate insurance language and provide detailed inspection reports
- Look through estimates and help you spot hidden costs
- Run through warranties to ensure that you are getting the best coverage
- How to document storm damage for insurance claims
- Identify red flags in contractors that you’re not sure about
If you have concerns, Hogtown Roofing is here to help. You can always reach out to ask us anything—the questions above, or whatever else that comes to mind. Feel free to Contact Us to request a free inspection!