Owning a home means constant maintenance, but some projects must be tackled more frequently than others. These once-in-awhile projects are often the scariest for homeowners to complete, partly because they usually have a large price tag attached, and partly because of the homeowner’s lack of experience and knowledge in the area. Installing a new roof is just such a project.

Without a background in roofing or construction, most homeowners don’t have the basis of knowledge necessary to determine when they actually do need a new roof. It’s very important to be able to turn to a roofing contractor that can be trusted to give accurate advice and pricing, as well as to complete the job correctly and with style.

Do Your Research:
By arming themselves with just a little bit of information about roofing, homeowners are able to be more prepared for the job at hand and what it entails. After an hour or two on the Internet becoming familiar with some of the main roofing terms, the process of contacting an Atlanta roofing company and beginning to get quotes on the job will seem less foreign. After learning a bit about roofing, it’s time to turn to the professionals.

Get started by requesting roofing company referrals from friends, family and neighbors. Be sure to ask if they would hire the company again, or whether they’d be likely to choose another roofing contractor. If they wouldn’t use the same company again, that’s certainly not a ringing endorsement.

For a re-roofing project, most experts suggest asking questions about the following areas.

1. Legitimacy of Business:
All reputable roofing companies should have a permanent business address and phone number, along with a tax ID. It’s important to see proof of your roofing contractor’s liability and workers’ comp insurance policies to ensure that the homeowners won’t be held responsible in the event of an accident. It’s also standard to check that they have a legitimate business license from the state.

2. Reputation:
Most skilled Atlanta roofing contractors will be members of regional or national industry associations which keep them up to date on changes in the industry and frequently offer opportunities for continued education on re-roofing. While it isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker if the roofing company isn’t a member, it is something to consider. The Better Business Bureau is another source homeowners can use to uncover any complaints that have been filed about the company in the past. Finally, all roofing contractors should be able to provide references from several of their previous jobs. Homeowners should be sure to actually call and speak to these references, again asking if the client would be willing to hire the roofing company again.

3. Estimate:
The roofing contractor should automatically offer a written and signed proposal that details the particulars of the home and offers a very complete description of the reroofing job. Start date, payment options, complete date and damage compensation should all be included in this Atlanta home roofing estimate. Find out from the roofing company who would be in charge of this particular job, and ask that person about the work, including how many workers they think will be needed and their quality control practices.

Considering these three categories carefully can help homeowners make an informed and wise decision about which roofing contractor is right for them.