It can happen to the most prepared homeowner at any time. Emergencies happen: a tree falls onto your house, a particularly nasty storm ravages your area, whatever the cause is, you needed a roofer and you needed them now!
But something just isn’t’ right.
Perhaps you couldn’t get your preferred roofer due to heavy storms and the backlogs that inevitably occur. Maybe you thought that guy that came to your door (at just the right time!) gave you the impression he really could get the job done faster and cheaper than anyone else.
Regardless of the reason, you find yourself in the position of wondering if you made the right choice. Red signs are popping up and you aren’t sure if you should stop the madness or give in to the “sunk cost fallacy” and get it finished now only to find someone qualified to fix properly later.
You didn’t do your homework, but it’s still isn’t too late! Even if you signed a contract, you aren’t legally obligated to keep the roof contractor if they aren’t even following the law or terms of the contract themselves.
Hiring a capable, reputable roof contractor is the foundation of any roof or roof repair and if you find you made a mistake, don’t beat yourself up for it. Correct it and go on with your life.
Consider your options if any of the following warning signs come up:
Additional Work Not Included In The Original Quote/Contract
If you hired your roof contractor for a single task but they come up with more and more work after the initial quote, they may be taking you for a ride. Avoid this by reviewing the initial quote/contract before work begins, stating clearly what you are paying for (and what you won’t pay for). If you feeling uneasy, get a second opinion from another roof contractor. If they insist on adding on more work outside of the initial contract, let them go.
Lack Of Licensing/permits/insurance
If you have asked for proof of insurance, permits, licensing, and other related documents more than once or twice and have yet to see them, there’s a good chance it’s because they don’t have them . Aside from the legal risks and repercussions of hiring such a roof contractor, a roof contractor who cannot produce these things could put your family and home itself at risk. Allowing them to continue without these things could even put you in legal jeopardy!
Unprofessional Behavior
If the crew or roof contractor themselves act dangerously or disrespectfully towards your family or home, terminate them. From using drugs or alcohol on the job site, to constantly showing up late, especially failing to follow OSHA guidelines, an unprofessional roofing contractor is not a contractor you can to trust to work on your roof.
Unwarranted Delays or Absences
Having roof contractors work several hours a day for days, even weeks at a time is inconvenient enough without having to deal with late arrivals and even “no-show’s”. This is a sure sign you may have made a mistake hiring this particular roof contractor. If the behavior continues, consider a new roof contractor.
Failure To Follow Laws and Guidelines
Any roof contractor that shows blatant disregard for local laws and regulations or OSHA guidelines should be fired.
Falls are the top cause of worker fatalities in the construction industry and cause nearly 35% of construction-related deaths every year! If your roofing contractor won’t protect themselves and their crew from an unsafe work environment, they surely aren’t thinking about your family.
Of course, not all of these are necessary grounds for immediate dismissal. Straighten out any miscommunication or misunderstandings if you can. If the roof contractor is exhibiting more than one of these things, you may need to replace them quickly.
Call another roof contractor, preferably one you’ve researched, if you need a second opinion, even a third wouldn’t hurt. Whatever you do, watch out for yourself, a bad roof repair or installation can cost you thousands in unneeded costs.
Avoid this in the future by checking out your roofer thoroughly, do your homework on anyone you consider.
In Metro Atlanta, Atlanta Roofing Specialists has been providing top quality roof contracting services since 1993! For a free estimate on your residential or commercial roof, call 770-419-2222 today!