Most roofing work is not going to be a do-it-yourself project.
So, in these trying economic times, it is now more important than ever that if you are going to have your home improved by a professional, you do so with the help of a reputable Portland roofing contractor.
There are several steps you will want to take to ensure you have a smooth repair process.
Whether it is residential or commercial roofing contractor in Portland, OR, you will need to compile a list of potential companies to work with.
But first you will want to ask around for potential quality leads.
This could mean friends or family, or anyone else you may trust who has used a roofing contractor before.
You don't have to know someone who has used a Portland roofing contractor.
You can contact your local Chamber of Commerce about contractors who are active in the local community.
If a roofing contractor is active in the community, it is doubtful that they are shamming people at the same time.
But community involvement is not an absolute requirement for reputable Portland roofing.
The main thing is to hear about prior customer experience.
Besides your friends and family, there is the Better Business Bureau, state and local licensing authorities, and local trade associations.
The Internet also offers many research opportunities.
The easiest is to check various listing sites.
Many of them have a feature that allows the public to leave reviews for the company that is listed.
If you see multiple reviews posted, it's a good sign that you can rely on the roofing contractor's services.
When you set up a meeting with a roofing contractor, simple observational skills can go a long way.
What vibe do you get from them? Besides being friendly, are they in a hurry to get through the meeting, or are they not only willing to hear you out, but take pride in telling you about the quality of their work.
Besides the vibe you get, ask for concrete elements that go with a reputable roofing contractor: - How long have they been in business? - Are they licensed, bonded, and insured? (This helps you find out if they comply with important regulations/) - Can they provide professional and previous clients as references? As a last line of defense, it is a good idea to pay the roofing contractor with a credit card, assuming that they accept them.
Even if you prefer to avoid using a credit card, you can use it as a sort of insurance.
That is because if you are not satisfied with the roofing work, or if the company does not keep their end of the bargain, you can contact your credit card company to have the repair cost charged back to the merchant.
While you may need to do a little work to take action through your credit card company, it is worth knowing that you have that weapon in your arsenal.