A Few Important Things You Should Know When Comparing Quotes

The home improvement industry is highly competitive and there are lots of contractors to choose from.  Apart from being mindful of the bottom line, here are a few things to pay attention to:

·         Due Diligence – There are a few things roofers are required to have in order to operate: a contractor’s license, bond, and insurance.  Licenses can be checked on the Contractor’s State License Board (https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/onlineservices/CheckLicenseII/checklicense.aspx).  As for bond and insurance requirements, don’t hesitate to request from any potential roofers for a copy of their insurance certificate, which will provide you with information pertaining to the validity of their insurance and their insurance provider information.

·         Warranty - One of the ways a contractor can stand out from the rest is by offering a competitive warranty.  Typically, the industry standard in the Bay Area is 5 years warranty for workmanship, but we have heard of instances where a homeowner was offered anywhere from a 15 to 25 year warranty.  Don’t be fooled – such extended warranties are risky, and far too often, are offered by inexperienced contractors who cannot weather the challenges of running a company long enough to honor their warranty. 

·         Deposit – California law requires that contractors accept no more than $1,000 or 10% of the estimated cost (whichever is less) as a deposit on a roofing project.  If your contractor requests more than the maximum, be sure to bring this to the contractor’s attention and considering hiring someone else.

Keeping these tips in mind when comparing offers will help you choose a qualified roofer and will spare you the problems that arise when basing your hiring decision solely on the bottom line.