Roofing Contract: 6 Things to Consider Before You Sign

A roof replacement is a significant undertaking, not to mention a substantial investment. That’s why it’s necessary to take your time and do your due diligence when it comes to vetting your contractor via their roofing contract before signing off on the project.

Unfortunately, this is a step that most homeowners skip — which often leads to a subpar roofing system. It’s crucial to go with the right contractor and get quality, reliable repairs.

Below are the six essential things to do before signing off on a roofing contract to mitigate the potential risks.

1. ALWAYS Get a Second Opinion

Never sign a roofing contract if you haven’t spoken with other roofers first — especially if the estimate seems too good to be true. 

The reason why you want to get the opinion of at least one or two other contractors is:

• To determine that the estimate is as accurate as possible
• To determine that your roof actually needs a replacement
• To determine how long it will take to replace your roof or carry out the repairs

If the other two companies can confirm the inspection report and estimate of the first company, then you’re likely good to go. However, if the other two companies say you only need repairs, then it’s a safe bet that the first company is pulling a fast one on you.

It’s also important to keep in mind that getting multiple roof estimates has nothing to do with finding the lowest possible price — it’s about confirming the integrity of the company and determining the actual work needed.

2. Read the Fine Print of the Roofing Contract

Every type of service contract will include fine print — and you need to review it carefully. 

The fine print in your roofing contract will include critical information regarding the roofing company and how they carry out their businesses. For example, how property damage is handled.

Many roofing contractors will put in their fine print that they’re not responsible for property damage, including damage to things like:

• Gutters
• Light fixtures
• Sprinkler heads
• Landscaping/gardens
• Furniture
• Other things hanging or being displayed in your home

The fine print in your roofing contract also usually includes exclusions that generally have to do with protecting your property, such as covering your pool and landscaping, if applicable. While these exclusions are there to bring down the project cost, it also means they won’t take the proper measures to set up the job site for protection.

Put simply: If your roofing contractor is hiding things like this in their fine print, they likely aren’t very reputable or trustworthy.

3. Look For the 5 Roofing Contract Red Flags

Aside from reading the fine print, it’s also important to scan the roofing contract to ensure there aren’t any red flags. 

These are the five red flags you need to look for:

1. The contract itself is broken down into line items
2. The fine print is hidden, making it difficult to find
3. The contract only specifically states the price of the project
4. There are hidden fees the roofer never mentioned (which is how they’re able to offer low initial prices for the estimate)
5. There’s no warranty information included in the contract

These red flags are the difference between honest work by a reputable roofer and being taken advantage of by a scam artist. Every roofing contract should clearly state the scope of the project, costs, warranty information, and more.

The bottom line: If your roofer isn’t willing to include all the necessary and relevant information in their contract, then they don’t have your best interest in mind. 

4. Find Honest Reviews About the Roofing Company

In today’s digital world, every legitimate business has an online presence as well as a business website. This is where you’ll want to go to see what their customer testimonials and reviews say.

However, you don’t want to only go by the customer testimonials displayed across their website as they only put the best ones front and center. You’ll also want to check the following:

• Their Google reviews
• Their social media channels (specifically, Facebook and Instagram)
• Angie’s List
• Houzz

If the majority of the reviews your roofing contractor’s reviews are positive, they’re likely trustworthy — just pay attention to the details.

5. Go Through the Roofing Contract With the Contractor

Combing through your roofing contract alone is only the first step in ensuring that it’s solid. You don’t want to sign off on the dotted line until you go through it line-by-line with your roofing contractor.

In fact, your roofing contractor should insist on sitting down with you to go over the roofing contract to ensure you understand the scope and expectations of the entire project. This is also an excellent opportunity to ask questions and have your concerns addressed.

If roofing contractors aren’t willing to do this, it’s a giant red flag, as this is an opportunity to build trust and add to their reputation. If they’re unwilling to make sure you know what to expect and where your money is going, do not sign the contract.

6. Confirm Their Licenses and Insurance

It’s also necessary to ensure that your roofing contractor carries the proper insurance and licensing to perform the work. Accidents can happen, regardless of how cautious the roofing crew is, and the last thing you want is to end up involved in potential lawsuits.

So, be sure to confirm liability and workers’ compensation policies as well as licensing to ensure they can legally perform the work. Otherwise, the project could get shut down, and you could end up with a hefty fine.

You Come First

The thought of having to replace your roof can be stressful, but the actual process doesn’t have to be. The right roofing contractor will have your best interests in mind, and the care they take with their contracts will prove that.

When you choose Whitt’s Quality Roofing for your roof replacement, you won’t have to worry about missing any details in your roofing contract because our roofing professionals will ensure you’re well-informed and that the work you’re getting is absolutely necessary.Give us a call today to schedule a free inspection and receive an accurate estimate for your next roofing project!