1. Not reading the contract before you sign it -The purpose of a contract is to ensure that both parties abide by the set rules. The roofer wants to make sure he gets paid when he does the work. Seems fair enough, right? Well, in the roofing business, not all contracts are created equally. While some roofing contractors just want guaranteed payment, those with less integrity may try to really stick it to you with some outrageous things thrown into the contract. With that in mind, read the contract thoroughly before you sign it. And whatever you do, save your copy.
2. Not checking the Better Business Bureau website – When you visit the Better Business Bureau’s website, in large, bold letters you see, “Start with trust.” There’s truth behind the slogan. Before you sign any contracts or give the green light for a group of roofing contractors to begin work, make sure they are a BBB member. If they’re a member, that means they’re governed by a higher authority and they can show proof of customer satisfaction. Read the reviews and see if any customers have filed complaints. If they are free of complaint, you’ve probably found reputable roofing contractors.
3. Not checking references – Even if you’ve checked the BBB site, you still should request a list of references. Since you don’t want to leave any stone unturned when searching for roofing contractors, calling references could turn up a dissatisfied customer who didn’t think to report their qualms on the BBB website. Past customers have experience dealing with the company you’re entertaining and can open your eyes to what they do badly (if anything) and what they do well.
4. Not inquiring about a guarantee – What happens once you have a new roof on your home, but you aren’t happy with the work? Maybe your roof is still sagging, or perhaps the roofing contractors left debris littered about your yard. Hopefully you asked about a guarantee. Trustworthy roofing contractors will guarantee your satisfaction.  A quick phone call will result in them returning to your home to fix whatever work doesn’t meet your standards.
5. Not asking about technique – Plainly put, some roofing contractors do the job incorrectly. In order to rush through the job, they might fire up their nail guns and haphazardly race through roof replacement. The problem with this is that nail guns must be carefully set in order to use on roofing shingles. When attaching shingles, it’s important not to hammer the nail in too deeply. Doing so will compromise the effectiveness of the shingle, causing leaks in your roof. Nail guns are so powerful that they often shoot the nail too deeply into the plywood decking. That said, a manual hammer is preferred. So don’t forget to question your roofer’s technique. If you don’t you may find your roof failing inspection.

Asking the right questions and performing a bit of research will help you avoid the above mistakes. And steering clear of these mistakes means finding roofing contractors you can trust for professional roof replacement.

1. Are you insured? Watching roofers in action often elicits “ooohs” and “ahhhs” from those passing by. The speed at which they work is nothing short of amazing. But the fact is, it’s dangerous work. If you think roofers never slip and fall- think again. The last thing you need is a lawsuit. So make sure your chosen roofing contractor is insured.

2. Are you a member of the Better Business Bureau? The Better Business Bureau offers a useful service to potential customers of all businesses. With that in mind, you want to make sure the roofing contractor in question is a member. If they aren’t, they can’t be trusted. And if they are, don’t just assume they’re a good fit for your job. Instead, look them up on the BBB site. Then you can have peace of mind that you’ve made a reliable choice.

3. How long have you been in business? There’s no substitute for experience. If you didn’t care about experience, you’d probably just replace your own roof. But for such an important job, you want a veteran roofing contractor with multiple years on the job.

4. Can I see a list of references? A roofing contractor who does good work has plenty of satisfied customers. Ask to speak with them. And if they give you a list, which they should, make sure to call at least a few of the customers to make sure they really are satisfied.

5. What are the terms of your contract? Never, never, never sign anything without reading it first. A dishonest contractor will have a dishonest contract, which makes sure they aren’t held liable for their less-than-professional work. Thoroughly reading a contract can keep you from signing on bad terms, and ultimately can save you from having to sue to get out of a bad contract.

6. What sort of materials do you use? The roofing contractor you hire should use only the best building materials. However, a dishonest contractor may try to switch out for cheaper materials, pocketing the difference. Be sure to not only ask about types of materials, but also check up on the materials during the job.

7. Do you offer warranties? No matter how high quality your roofing materials are, it’s possible that they could suffer from manufacturer defects. Warranties ensure you are safeguarded when no one but the manufacturer is to blame.

8. What if I am not happy with the work you perform? Sometimes things go wrong and one side of the agreement isn’t happy. Work that doesn’t meet the customer’s standards is unacceptable. A reputable roofing contractor will stand behind his work and race back to your home to fix anything that doesn’t measure up to your specifications.

The roofing contractor you choose should favorably answer all 8 of the above questions. If they don’t, it’s time to look elsewhere for a roofing contractor that’s worth your time.