How to Hire a Contractor or Roofer

Remodeling and reroofing are among the largest cash outlays you will make on your home. And if you make a mistake in hiring, you may do serious damage to your home, your finances, and your nerves. The secret to getting a job done well and on budget is to find a professional with a succession of happy clients to his name and then check him out as if he were proposing to your daughter. Here’s how:

1. Get referrals. Ask family and friends who’ve had work done on their houses for names of professionals they were satisfied with. If another professional such as a decorator or architect recommends someone, go see that contractor’s work before you call for an appointment.

2. Check references. This is a no-brainer, or at least it should be. But you’d be surprised at the number of people who ask for references but never check a single one. No matter how confident you feel about the person, don’t skip this step! Even clients who were generally satisfied with a contractor’s work may give you useful tips about working with that particular contractor.

3. Check with local officials. Call the city building code inspector and your local builder’s or roofer’s licensing agency to find out what licenses a contractor is required to have. Also ask what special permits are needed to perform the job you’re planning. Find out who is responsible for providing workman’s compensation. Whether the responsibility lies with you, the contractor, or the subcontractor varies by locality. While you’re on the phone, check to see if any complaints have been lodged against the professionals you are considering.

4. Check credentials. Now that you know precisely what’s required, ask to see the contractor’s proof of license, insurance, and bonding. If this person plans to use subcontractors, ask for their credentials as well. Ask if the contractor plans to pull the necessary permits for your job. Never allow a contractor to wink-and-nudge you into doing the job without the required permits.

5. Listen to intuition. It’s not enough to make sure your contractor has all his papers in order. Equally important is how you feel about the person who will have virtual dominion over your household for some time to come. How are this person’s manners and attitude? Does he return your calls promptly and show up for appointments on time? If you’re less than certain about the contractor you’re considering, keep looking. It will be much less trouble to continue your search than it will to survive days, weeks, or months of frustration and torment at the hands of a problem professional.

6. Ask for an itemized bid. It’s self-preservation, not nit-picking, to insist on a detailed bid, specifying the exact materials (down to the kind of nails) the contractor will use. The bid should also contain a step-by-step plan for performing the work and an estimate of labor costs. Labor prices will vary according to locality and among different contractors, but expect the total for labor to be about 15 percent more than the costs for materials.

7. Get it in writing. After you’ve chosen a contractor, protect yourself with a carefully written contract. Assume nothing and never sign a blank or incomplete document. Indicate with words and pictures exactly what work is to be done. If it’s a roofing job, will the original roof be removed? How many layers? Who is liable for protecting your property if it rains while the roof is off?

8. Name the dates. One of the most important items on your contract (especially for your peace of mind) will be the date the work is to commence and the date by which it must be complete. Use dates, not number of working days. This way, if your contractor drags his feet on getting started, you have the opportunity to choose someone else for the job.

9. Include a payment schedule. This portion of the contract states that the contractor will be paid for materials as they are purchased and used. If you pay as you go and the contractor can’t or won’t complete the work, you’ll still have money (or materials) to finish the job. Make it clear that you want to see receipts for all materials purchased for your project. Spell out the percentage amount by which the total cost of the job might overrun the estimate (10 to 15 percent is a common amount).

10. Watch those warranties. A contractor’s warranty usually covers his work only. A manufacturer’s warranty covers materials separately, and frequently limits liability in cases where the manufacturer’s instructions for use are not followed. Make sure you understand these warranties and discuss them with your contractor. Then write the details into your contract.