571-389-7500
571-389-7500
One of the biggest investments you’ll make as a homeowner is a new roof. That investment has to last for decades in Northern Virginia, where weather can range from sweltering summers to ice storms and spring downpours. Your roof is only as good as the contractor you hire, and could last for 25 years or it could start to go bad in just five.
Northern Virginia is a saturated market when it comes to roofing services. Finding the right Northern Virginia roofing contractor takes some effort, but the payoff is worth it. New companies, people come into the house after every big storm and they go away as quickly as they came. While it might take some research to tell the difference between the real deal and the fly-by-night, it’s not hard once you know what to watch for.
This is a simple way of how to pick a roof covering company you can really rely on to take care of your home.
Contractors in Virginia have to be licensed by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) to work on any project that exceeds $1,000. This is non-negotiable. Your Northern Virginia roofing contractor should easily be able to tell you their license number when you ask.
In addition to a license, there are several types of insurance to look for:
Obtain insurance certificates from the insurance company, rather than a photocopy from the contractor. Policy coverage is lost and you don’t want to find out the coverage ended two months ago when someone falls off your roof.
Some of the larger shingle companies such as GAF, CertainTeed and Owens Corning have contractor certification programs. These certifications are important because they provide you with access to a better warranty.
For instance, a GAF Master Elite contractor will be able to provide the Golden Pledge warranty that includes materials and labor for as long as 25 years. A non-certified installer with the same shingles can only provide a basic material warranty – no labor is included. Same shingles, greatly varied protection.
That longer warranty translates to a real value in Northern Virginia where roofing systems are subjected to a high level of thermal cycling and exposure to weather and storms.
The Northern Virginia roofing contractor should have a history of roofing projects in the area that can be verified. Request references from homeowners in your county or city. Read the Google reviews but be mindful of the specific comments in the reviews, rather than the overall star rating.
When looking into information, be on the lookout for:
A contractor that has been around awhile in Northern Virginia has a reputation at stake. They will not go away after that check is cashed, as they live and work in the same community.
A professional roofing quote ought to be specific and detailed. You know very little about what you are getting if your quote is like, “roof replacement — $12,000.” A good written estimate should contain:
Ask for estimates for scope, not just the cost. The lowest bid usually indicates that corners are being cut somewhere, whether it’s the materials, the underlayment or the techniques in proper installations, which won’t be discovered until years later.
The way a contractor communicates prior to the project will give you an idea of how they will handle the project itself. A professional roofing company will be able to clearly tell you the process that they use – from the initial inspection, estimate, ordering materials, scheduling, the day of the installation, and the walkthrough.
Here are a few questions you should ask during your consultation:
Local jurisdictions in the Northern Virginia region such as Loudoun County, Prince William County and Fairfax County have specific rules regarding the replacement of a roof. These are regularly performed by a local contractor, who should also deal with the permit process for you.
There are a few actions that should automatically kill a roofing contractor regardless of how positive their quote is:
One area that is a particular problem are storm chasers in Northern Virginia. These companies monitor and follow the events of the severe weather, canvas neighborhoods and most often produce inferior work as they have no intention of being around when any issues arise. They are dependent on the insurance settlements, and are not in any way answerable to the local community.
Don’t take the chance for the lowest bidder or a company you don’t know, that showed up after last week’s storm, to work on your roof. A Northern Virginia homeowner should be getting this type of roofing contractor: One that is licensed, insured, manufacturer certified, locally established, and provides all details in writing.
A good roof, built by a good installer will last for decades. The biggest mistake you can make is to cut corners when it comes to who is installing it.
TNC Exteriors has been providing exterior services to Northern Virginia residents for more than 10 years. We are a GAF certified roofing contractor and are able to offer detailed written proposals, complete permitting and back our workmanship. Give us a call today for a complimentary roofing consultation and discover why our neighbours depend on us to take care of their houses.