for your roofing solutionsViking Roofing, Inc.

Choose A Contractor

Step-by-step guide designed to finding the contractor that is right for you.

Minor leaks with the season's first rain? Major damage caused by an unseasonable storm?
Whatever your roofing needs, large or small, you need a professional roofing contractor you can trust. You need a contractor who will provide you with sound advice on products, reasonable explanations of procedures, and, most importantly, solid results. It's difficult to determine the capabilities and reliability of a roofing contractor. Here is a simple, step-by-step guide designed to help you find the contractor who's right for you.

Where to Begin
A roofing system is a complex combination of elements, the success of which depends on the quality of shingles, installation and overall construction. There are many ways to start your search for the roofing contractor who meets your individual needs. Referrals are obviously the best source for names of credible companies. Ask friends and family members who they have used in the past. Contact your local Chamber of Commerce about roofing contractors who are active in the community. The Better Business Bureau, state and local licensing authorities, local trade associations and your local yellow page directory are also excellent sources of information.

Meeting and Evaluating Potential Contractors
After you have compiled a list of possible roofing contractors, take time to evaluate each one carefully. A professional contractor will be happy to provide any information you may require. Some homeowners have been mystified by the seeming lack of interest and response from the contractors they call. To get a roofer to respond to your call, tell him you are shopping around, but are only interviewing three contractors, not ten. A contractor is shopping for good jobs that will make a fair profit and bring future referrals. Some contractors have had experiences with unreasonable or dishonest homeowners. Therefore, they look for warning signs of customer problems during the initial job interview. Set up a meeting to discuss your needs and their qualifications, and be sure to pay close attention to the attitude of the company representative. Good contractors take pride in their work and will be enthusiastic about the possibility of helping you with your roofing problems. If you feel confident that the contractor is truly interested in your project, ask for the company's vital statistics - specific business information that will help you make your final decision.

Vital Statistics Include:

Utilizing the Contractor's Product Knowledge
Your contractor should have up-to-date knowledge on quality products for your project. He or she is the best source of information, but you should play an active role in the product selection process. Ask questions about different shingles such as brand names, life span, thickness, design, available colors and warranties. Selecting the best products is as important to your job as selecting the right contractor.

Consider Enhancements
Whether you're repairing a portion of your roof or replacing it entirely, now is the time to consider related projects. Perhaps you need new roof vents, or gutters and downspouts. Even more aesthetic additions, such as enhanced high profile hip and ridge shingles, or skylights, should be reviewed. When done in conjunction with a roofing project, all of these enhancements are more convenient and less expensive.

Sit Back and Relax
A little well-planned research up front will undoubtedly save you a lot of time and trouble later on. Once you feel confident that you have the best contractor, the best products, the best value - simply relax and let your contractor do his job. Do, however, monitor the progress of your project to be certain your contractor lives up to his superior reputation.

Hopefully, the information will simplify the task of choosing a professional roofing contractor.