When Roofing Contractors Mess Up

References

Before you jump to the phone book and start calling every roofing company listed, ask around for references and recommendations from family and friends. Chances are that someone, at sometime in the recent past, had roof work done. If they give a glowing recommendation and hand you a contractor's phone number, the chances of that person or company doing a good job is usually pretty high. If friends give so-so reviews, you may want to skip the company they are talking about. Checking in with those you trust first will help save time and money in the end.

The Call

If you have the phone book open and begin calling roofing companies, take careful note of when you call and if you speak with someone. It seems like many roofing contractors let their calls go to voicemail instead of having a person answer the phone. Do not be afraid to ask for a call back within the next 48 hours. Two business days is certainly enough time to make a quick phone call. You may find that some contractors or companies never even bother returning your call. If that is the case, do not hire them. If they cannot take the time to call you back, the odds of them doing a superior job are slim.

The Start Date

Roofing, like so many other outside jobs, is very dependent on the weather. Although contractors can give you an approximate date of when they will be starting your job, it may be necessary to give them some slack if the weather has been unseasonably rainy. However, if they never call with a start date after taking your deposit, call them until you get an answer. If they give you a firm start date, but then never show up, call. Keep calling until you get in touch with the person who can either send a crew out immediately or who can authorize the return of your money. There is no sense keeping your funds tied up in a company if they do not have the time to complete your job.

Poor Workmanship

The roof has been installed and everything seems great, but then it starts to rain - inside the house. If you discover a leak in the roof after it has been replaced or repaired, call your contractor immediately. Most good contractors will send someone out within 24-48 hours to repair it. It could be an honest mistake, so give them the benefit of the doubt. If, however, they stop returning your calls and never show up to repair the damage, consult the Better Business Bureau and, if necessary, a lawyer. Sometimes, all it takes is a letter from a lawyer to make the dishonest contractors fix the damage. Overall, roofing contractors are just people trying to make a living. They go into a job with the best of intentions and will do whatever it takes to repair or replace your roof to your satisfaction. If you do have trouble, do not hesitate to call them and voice your concerns. They know that the strongest and best advertisement for their services is word of mouth, so they want you to be happy.