Finding a Roofing Contractor in Buckinghamshire

How to find a good roofing contractor in Buckinghamshire (or anywhere)

So you live in Buckinghamshire and you need a professional roofing contractor. It may be because you have an emergency and a leaking roof. It may be because you know that there are some repairs which need doing. Or it may be because you want a new roof. Whatever the work you want done there are many things to consider when making this important decision.

Steps to finding a good contractor:

1.) Get at least three references. 2.) Ask how long they have been in business. 3.) Get at least three estimates for the job to make sure they are not ripping you off. 4.) Ask how long the job is likely to take. 5.) Get flat rate estimates so you know the total you will pay beforehand.

How to Hire a Roofing Contractor Think about the last time you purchased a car. Chances are you did not go to the Yellow Pages, choose a dealership at random, and buy your car from the first lot you visited. Many times, though, this scenario describes the way homeowners find a roofing contractor - they look in the phone book and call the contractor with the largest ad or the first one listed. But much like purchasing a car, finding a good roofing contractor requires research and comparison shopping.

So now you take the following steps.

Ask Around

The best place to start asking about roofing contractors is your family, friends and work colleagues. Friends, neighbours, and work colleagues will know of the contractor's work first hand, or will know the quality of work the contractor did for someone they know. Other good sources of referrals include building contractors and your local roofing materials supplier.When asking for referrals, be sure to check the type of job the roofing contractor was called in to accomplish. Also, determine if the roofing contractor specializes in residential or commercial work, or in a particular type of roofing work such as flat roofs.

Some good questions to ask:

Were you happy with the quality provided by the roofing contractor?

Everybody has their own ideas of quality, so you should take a look at the referee's house and judge for yourself. Ask how long ago the job was done. Pay attention as best you can to areas around chimneys, any windows, plumbing stacks and roof intersections as these are the most likely areas where problems could start to arise. If it is a flat roof you are having done, ask if you can get onto the flat roof to have a good look. What signs of wear and tear are there?. Did the roofing contractor complete the job in the time specified when the estimate was given, and was the disruption during the job at an acceptable level? Roofing work with the scaffolding, the tarpaulins and so on can be a big disruption to you and your family. While delays can exceptionally occur if the weather is really bad the job should normally have been completed on schedule. If not, why not? Good quality roofers are very skilled at getting the job done even if there is rain and they should be able to complete the job in the time scheduled and keep everything in the house dry. A complete roof replacement can often be done in a week. Was the roofing team careful not to cause any damage while doing the job? Were they efficient in removing rubbish from the job from your property? Were all the roofing team there when they were supposed to be there, or were they distracted by other jobs? Was everything cleaned up when the job was completed and the roofing team had gone?.

Were they courteous and polite?

This is a very important consideration. The entire experience, from beginning to end, needs to be as stress free as possible. Plus if the roofing contractor and the roofing team enjoy their jobs, the quality and attention to detail will be better. Hopefully this will be the first question you ask. If the answer to this question is no then do not go any further, you do not want to work with that person.

Now you call the contractor.

The initial contact will provide you with a first impression. Was the contractor pleasant and courteous? Did the contractor return your call promptly? Did the contractor set up an appointment with you within a reasonable time (usually within 24 hours)?

The initial phone call

Ask pertinent questions, such what employer liability and insurance they have, how long have you been in business, what is their specialty, how many employees? If time is a priority for you, ask how soon a project could be started.

Meet the contractor

Provide a clear detailed description of the project. Include as much information as possible, including materials, budget, time frame, and any other important information about your expectations. It is always a good idea to be as honest and open with the contractor as possible. A roofing contractor should never have to guess about your project and you should make every attempt to ensure the contractor understands what you want. As you are discussing the project with the contractor, pay attention to body language and voice tone. Remember, based on the size of the project you will be working with this person, in your home, and you must feel comfortable.

Discuss the options with the contractor

Since the roof is one of the most important external elements of a house, it should not only be durable, but also have an aesthetic appeal. There are many types of roofing materials available such as clay or concrete tiles, slate, roofing shingles, and roofing felts for flat roofs, each with their own price tag. You may also be affected by the type of roofing materials in neighbouring properties. Get the contractor to advise on the appropriate materials given the budget you have in mind.

What warranty will they give?

As a roof is fundamental to your security as a householder be sure to find out what warranty is given by the contractor. A 10 year warranty is commonplace. Make sure you can get it in writing. Simply stating it is not enough. Get it in writing and make sure you understand any limitations. A good contractor will be happy to stand behind his warranty.

Is the contractor a member of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC)?

About 60% of roofing contractors in the UK belong to the NFRC. There are undoubtedly excellent contractors who do not belong and therefore membership should not be an essential requirement when you make your decision. However NFRC membership does mean that the contractor has been inspected once every three years to assess quality standards. If a contractor is not a member it would be worth asking why.

Obtain an estimate

Obtain a detailed estimate. Make sure it includes a complete description of the work and the materials to be used. An estimate should include a projected start time and the project duration. An estimate should include a note that states if the price could change and if so what percentage. If you request any changes during the project, make sure you get a complete updated document that shows exactly what changes has been made and the impact on the final price.

Get a minimum of three estimates.

Insurance and references

Ask for a copy of the certificate of insurance of the contractor to check its validity. Ask the contractor to provide at least three referees and check them out. With each referee ask about the quality of the work, whether the job was completed on time, and whether they would hire the contractor again.

Comparing estimates

Compare all the estimates you have received and make sure that each one contains the same information. If you added something to the project between meetings with roofers, the estimates are not similar. A caution is always necessary when homeowners decide based on lowest price only. Make sure that the estimates contain the same quality materials; sometimes the lowest bid is not using the same quality materials.

Safety Commitment

Accidents can happen with almost any home improvement project, especially a roofing project. So ask your prospective candidate what steps he will take to prevent injuries and property damage. Again if a roofing contractor is good at his work he will be able to answer this question with ease.

Execute a Contract

Execute a contract specifying the work to be done, total cost, payment schedule, start date and estimated completion date. Make sure the contract includes the roofing materials and the brands and colours to be used and any additional work such as replacing guttering. Make sure the contract specifies that the contractor is responsible for cleanup when the job is done and the removal of all waste materials. Ask about what might be the level of disruption during the project.

FINAL TIP Think carefully before accepting either the lowest estimate or the highest. The cheapest may have underestimated and may sting you for it later. So check the references. The most expensive, especially if it is significantly higher, may mean that the contractor does not actually want your business, probably because they have work up to their eyes already.

Philip Tucker is a specialist in finding out how to choose a good roofing contractor. See:

http://www.BuckinghamshireRoofingContractor.com