Finding a Licensed Roofer: How to Check Your Contractor’s License
As the housing market continues to surge, contractors have become overwhelmed. This has led to delays that are exacerbated by supply-chain shortages.
For this reason, people have started seeking alternatives to licensed contractors for their home improvement projects. And unqualified handymen are more pervasive than ever. If you are looking for roofing work, there are some reasons to remain patient and consider the consequences of cutting corners.
Your roof is one of the most important components of your house. A licensed roofer will ensure that roof repairs or replacements are done right.
The information below provides some basic guidance on licensing as well as some tips on identifying a licensed and insured contractor. Being patient and thorough before committing will give you the peace of mind that your project is in good hands.
Why Use a Licensed Roofer?
A roofing license means that a contractor has been tested on their skills and expertise in construction processes. It ensures they have knowledge of the latest “best practices” within their industry.
A license means you can expect them to be competent when it comes to roof repair, maintenance, and replacement. It also means they will have up-to-date knowledge of permitting guidelines.
A licensed roofer will be reliable. You can be certain they will stick to contracts and provide you with information about the scope of the project, timeline, and cost of materials.
A fully licensed contractor will also carry insurance. This will protect you from any liability in the event of property damage or if a worker becomes injured. Conversely, working with an unlicensed technician could mean you are liable for anything that goes wrong, including property damage.
How to Identify Licensed Roofers
There are several ways you can find licensed roofers. The easiest is to ask for proof of their roofing contractor license. Reputable companies will expect questions about credentials and should be more than willing to provide you with this documentation.
Every state maintains a database of licensed contractors, usually sorted by the relevant licensing board. If this is difficult to find, you can use third-party online tools to perform a search for a contractor’s license. Many of these often link to national databases that have up-to-date information on licensing status as well.
Also, prominent contractors will list their license number on the contract. If it is absent, ask them to redo and include it. This will serve as physical evidence that whoever is working on your home is who they say they are.
Find a Licensed Roofer Near You
Now that you have an idea of how to identify a licensed roofer, and why it is so important that you do so, you can find one in your area. Even with long delays for construction projects, it is worth waiting for a fully licensed contractor who will do the job right.
We hope you found this information on roofing licensing helpful. If so, be sure to take a look at some of our other posts, on everything from home and self-improvement to business, travel, and leisure.