Here’s How To Hire A Trusted Roofing Contractor in Minnesota + Wisconsin

After another winter that featured extreme weather, including significant snowfall, spring has arrived and that means there are likely many Northland homeowners looking to repair or replace their roofs.

The challenge trying to find the best contractor to do your project while avoiding the scams that are out there. Despite the many reputable businesses in the area, it seems horror stories emerge each year from homeowners who were taken advantage of.

With that in mind, the Better Business Bureau has released helpful information that everyone should keep handy. When it comes to hiring a roofer, they have a wealth of helpful information to make the best choice.

Their six tips for hiring a roofer include:

• Make sure you understand the full scope of the project. You should know what exactly the roofing project entails. For example, will they be doing spot repairs or replacing the whole roof? Having everything detailed in the contract is important, as is knowing the pros and cons of each solution.
• Ask about clean-up and waste removal. Make sure your contractor will be responsible for taking away all old materials and cleaning up your site after their work is complete.
• Consider your gutters and landscaping. A roofing job will require ladders that can cause damage when leaned against your gutters or stuck in your landscaping. Ask your roofer about their plan for protecting against damage or how they will fix things after the job.
• Plan for bad weather. What happens if there is bad weather while your roof project is underway? Will your home be protected if it rains, for example?
• Check your insurance coverage. If your project is for fixing the damage, check your homeowner’s insurance to see if your project is covered and how you should proceed if it is.
• Different contractors for different roofing systems. Roofing contractors may be certified to install specific types of roofs. Check with the manufacturer to see if your contractor is certified for their system.

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The Better Business Bureau adds that it's important to look over the proposal from your contractor. If it's detailed and broken down into separate line items, that's a good sign.

Items like the materials to be included in the work, the scope of work to be done, and the type of roof covering, manufacturer, and color are just a few of the things that should be included in your estimate.

You can visit the Better Business Bureau's Tips To Hire A Trusted Roofing Contractor page for the full list and more.