Maybe you’ve heard that it’s important to work with a licensed roofing contractor, but do you know why this is so strongly recommended? We’ve rounded up the dangers of working with an unlicensed roofing contractor so you can protect your largest investment – your home.
What Are the Dangers of Unlicensed Roof Contractors?
The three biggest dangers of working with an unlicensed contractor are:
- Low quality work
- Lack of insurance
- Liability
A license demonstrates that a roofing contractor knows building codes and proper techniques. Without the license, you have no way to tell whether someone knows their stuff or not. If you proceed with an unlicensed contractor, they could make mistakes or cut corners when installing your roof. Your roof could fail.
If the contractor does not follow building codes, this can cause problems when you place your home on the market. You will have to pay out of pocket for repairs that bring the property up to code. Failure to build to code can also reduce the value of your property so you earn less. A home inspector can tell when touring the property whether something was done up to code, so this isn’t something you will be able to hide.
Licensed contractors are required to carry both liability insurance and worker’s compensation. An unlicensed contractor probably won’t have insurance, since it is expensive. This shifts the liability to you — meaning you will pay if someone is hurt on the job or if the contractor damages your home and won’t fix it.
How to Find a Good Contractor
Now that you understand what could go wrong, insist upon hiring a licensed roofing contractor who has a proven track record of providing good service to customers. Ask for proof of quality workmanship in the form of references, then call the references to see how people liked working with the roofing contractor. Ask them how the work has held up over time to get an idea for whether the roofing system was properly installed. Have there been leaks or other problems?
Brandstetter’s KangaRoof is a licensed contractor with full insurance and a 100 percent guarantee. We are BBB accredited and belong to the National Roofing Contractors Association. We use the highest quality materials and offer some of the best warrantees in the business. Learn more about our services or get a free estimate.
