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Choosing a Contractor

Northwest Roof Experts

(541) 399-8272

Full Service Residential and Commercial Roofers serving
Hood River and The Dalles, OR.

Choosing a Roofing Contractor

When choosing the right contractor, the many options you’ll find just from an initial online search can seem overwhelming. After all, it’s important to make sure you’re choosing a reputable and experienced contractor you can trust. So how can you be sure you’re making the right decision?

When making a list, you’ll want to evaluate your choices as you would any health specialist or lawyer. You need to know that you are choosing a contractor you can rely on to get the job done right and to be there for you for future maintenance and repair.

One of the easiest ways is by having an honest conversation and asking questions. You’ll be able to tell a lot about a contractor by the answers they provide during this interview. Ask them who you’ll actually be working with and where you can find them if trouble arises after they’ve delivered.

Ask your friends, family, and trusted neighbors who have had the work done recently. You don’t want to make a rushed decision. You will also want to review qualifications, referrals, and past and current projects, as well as the price/value relationship of the package they propose.

A thorough inspection of your roof will also be critical in order to detect any damage you may not be aware of. As expected, local reputation and experience are key, as well as dedication and commitment to providing you with the best possible solution for your Northwest home or property.

In order to better assist you in your selection process, we’ve outlined the following series of tips for you to consider when choosing your local roofing company.

Tips for Choosing a Contractor

Interview your Contractor

A good roofer will be eager to answer any and all questions pertaining to your roofing project clearly and directly. They will take pride in discussing past and current jobs with you and will be willing to provide you with valid customer referrals and recommendations.

Ask for References and Referrals

If your roofer hasn’t provided these, you’ll want to request referrals or photos of completed work. Request a list of at least three or more names and phone numbers that you can call upon randomly. The more referrals they can give you, the better the choice you can make.

Check for Liability Insurance

A legitimate roofer will carry comprehensive liability insurance, as well as workers’ compensation coverage, to protect you against a possible roofing accident. Ask them to have their certificates of insurance sent to you by their insurer before starting any work.

Choose Safety over Price

Workers’ compensation insurance can increase wage costs by 20% or more. These roofing companies carry higher overhead than non-insured roofers. A cheap contractor is not worth the savings should you be held liable for accident related hospital bills or worse.

Check for Proper Licensing

You want your choice of roofer to be a licensed and accredited contractor in your area. Not all cities require contractors to be licensed, but a number of them do. Ask them for their licensing credentials as another indicator of their professionalism and dedication.

Ask for the Right Warranties

A solid contractor will warrant their workmanship and the manufacturer will warrant the roofing materials used. You want both warranties, one for the workmanship and a manufacturer’s warranty for the specific shingle products you’ve chosen.

Request a Detailed Contract

An estimate will include the basic product specifications and price. A proposal will be a tentative agreement with choices, brand names, design, services and overall pricing. You should expect three product choices, literature and their samples.

Review your Contract

Misunderstanding the details can be the cause of disagreements in more cases than not. You will want to read through all of the items in the contract in detail. Be sure that everything you’ve requested is stated in writing and ask all needed questions before signing.

Preparing your Property

Often overlooked, preparing your home or business prior to a job is an important step. This will help save you time and money by allowing the roofer to get started as soon as they arrive. Ask your contractor what steps you need to take prior to his arrival.

Understand your Contractor

Like you, your contractor is also shopping for a good client. Show them that you are well informed and have both yours and their best interest in mind. Tell them you are not looking for the lowest bid but rather the best value for the job.

Most Common Roof Types

Our roofing contractors are experts in offering quality solutions, superior craftsmanship and fair pricing. Here are some of the common roofing systems we work with.

Flat and Low Slope Roofs

Most commonly found in large commercial buildings such as offices, warehouses, shopping centers and box stores, while low slope roofs can also be found on apartments and industrial buildings facilitating water runoff.

Pitched, Hip and Gable Roofs

These roof styles slope downwards, typically in two to four parts from a central ridge. Less commonly found in commercial buildings, they can include a wide variety of materials such as metal roofing, asphalt shingles, slate or cedar.

Your Trusted Hood River Roofers

Choosing a Contractor

Fully licensed, bonded and insured, Hood River Roofing is your best choice when it comes to qualified roofing contractors in the Hood River area and surrounding Oregon and Washington communities.

With more than 25 years of combined roofing experience in the Pacific Northwest, we have the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed for your home or business. From residential to commercial roofing, look to us for professional roof replacement, maintenance and repair.

When choosing Hood River Roofing, you’re choosing only the best local, established, and reputable contractors with proven local experience. We’re happy to answer any and all roofing questions you may have and provide you with a detailed, commitment-free estimate for your consideration.

For answers to all of your roofing questions, call your Northwest Roofing Experts today at (541) 229-5646.

Service Areas

Serving the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River County and Wasco County

Hood River Roofing Contractor
Hood River Metal Roofing
Hood River Roofing Experts