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The post-pandemic building boom in the Tampa Bay area has people scrambling to find roofing contractors that can be trusted to deliver exceptional service and a quality product. There are five things consumers need to know before hiring a professional roofing company, otherwise you risk paying a lot of money for shoddy workmanship.
Whether you are in need of a new roof for an existing house or are building a new home, the roof is one of, if not the most important investment you will make. Therefore, selecting a roofing contractor whom you can trust throughout the build or repair process is essential to your peace of mind and your ROI. Here’s how to go about making the best choice for your roofing project:
KEY POINTS IN SELECTING A ROOFER IN TAMPA BAY
1. GET A FREE ASSESSMENT/INSPECTION.
If you are building a new home, you want any potential roofer to offer a free assessment of where the home will “sit” relative to the surrounding elements such as trees, wind, sun, and of course the many bodies of water in Tampa Bay. These factors account for how much heat, air movement, and moisture the roof is likely to be exposed to over time. Certain roofing materials or systems may be a better fit than others based on these variables. If you are replacing an existing roof, you want to get a free roofing estimate and a full report of the findings and recommendations for repair and/or replacement of the roof.
2. GET A FREE COST ESTIMATE.
Any reputable roofing company should be able to provide a solid estimate of the work required to build, repair or replace the roof. You should not have to pay for this estimate.
3. BONDED AND INSURED.
Do not hire a roofing contractor unless they can provide evidence of insurance, bond, and licensure. They should also be familiar with the permit process for your town or city. The last thing you want to have happen is to be left with half of a roof job and your roofer nowhere to be found, or to hire a company that doesn’t take out the proper permits or fails to build to code.
4. DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
The best way to judge experience is to do your own research on Google Reviews and other online review sites. Also check Consumer Affairs and the Better Business Bureau for complaints and how these were resolved. Keep in mind that reviewers tend to post complaints more often than they post to give praise to a company. However, if there are consistently poor, recent reviews, let that be a warning flag to you. Lastly, do ask the company for existing customers to whom you can speak. Of course they will give you “happy customers’ to contact and that’s okay. You can make a point to ask them about things such as:
- What do they wish was done differently?
- How was the behavior of the crews on the job site?
- If any problems were encountered, how were they handled by the company?
Whenever possible, don’t just rely on the reviews in print. GO LOOK at the roofing projects that a company has completed as well as those that they have in progress.
5. EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & EDUCATION MATTER
Remember that experience does matter, but just because a company has 20 years in business, that does not always mean the company is easy to work with. And, with a post-pandemic building boom, you might have to choose a company that can get a job done on your timeline, not be placed on a waitlist. If you choose a newer company, look at their education and training– is it thorough? Do they direct hire job crews or use sub-contractors? Insurance and bonding, as noted above, is just as important. Do they maintain certifications in specialty areas such as metal roofing? Do the provide crews with ongoing training about the trade and safety issues?
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ROOFING COMPANY BUILT ON FAMILY VALUES
At Legend Roofing, we are proud of the company we have built over the past 34 years. Serving the people of the Hillsborough County Area’s roofing needs has been our pleasure since 1986. Legend is built on a foundation of family values, a mission to provide excellence, and a connection with the local community.
Our roofing services include commercial and residential roof installation and repairs, estimates, assessments, and addressing roof leaks and helping you manage roofing insurance claims.Owner, Adam Stevens, is a husband and father of three, living in Hillsborough County. For the past 18 years, Adam has been in roofing, following behind his father’s 45 years in the roofing industry. If you are interested in a free roofing estimate or just want to talk more about the roofing solutions we can provide, please contact our team, today.