Top tips for choosing the best roofing contractor?
A new roof is an important investment and you want to get a great job done. That’s why you need to do your due diligence before getting started and when you’re talking to candidate roofing companies when you’re ready to get the job done.
Because there’s a bit to think about, we’ve made the selection process a little easier by compiling this six-point checklist of what you need to know before you get started, and how to evaluate the roofers who quote on your project.
1. Cheap isn’t the same as value for money
The lowest-priced quote might not be the best investment. A quality job that lasts decades will save you much more in the long run than a cheap job that saves a thousand or two today.
2. Check your roofers credentials
Re-roofing is Restricted Building Work because it affects your home’s structure and weather-tightness. That means it must be carried out or at the very least supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP). DCM Roofing is a licensed building practitioner and a member of the Roofing Association of New Zealand, which governs standards for professional roofers throughout the country.
3. Are your roofers insured? Do they work safely?
Roofing involves working at height, and reroofing older houses can also mean roofers are working on fragile or deteriorating structures. It’s risky and no place for cowboys! Ask for evidence of public liability insurance and their on-site safety protocols.
Find out who will do the actual work on your home – is it going to be their in-house people or will they subcontract the job out?
It’s necessary to know what safety measures are part of the work plan and are included in the quote. The Roofing Association of New Zealand has clear safety guidelines that responsible roofers adhere to religiously. At DCM Roofing, we have all the necessary insurances, processes and checks in place for your peace of mind.
4. Get a fully detailed quote
A professional roofing quote should show a detailed scope of work for your job. It should specify all materials that will be used (brand and spec), underlay, flashing, fixings, roof penetrations, removal and disposal of old materials, and any repairs or structural work needed to complete the work to a high standard.
Keep an eye out to see what’s included and what’s not. Will guttering be replaced? Are your skylights and solar panels being considered? Is there any allowance for hidden issues like rotten timber?
And as we hinted at in the first point, be cautious of quotes that are much lower than others. We make sure to fully itemise everything and leave nothing out, so you know the cost of the job before we start. And while we might not be the cheapest, you can be confident we do give you exceptional value for money.
5. Understand that not all roofing materials are the same.
This has great relevance to Christchurch, especially if you live near the coast where salt exposure can be a killer. You need roofing material that’s up to the task of protecting you and your home from our extreme weather and temperature variations throughout the year.
A second point to note is that if you’re changing roofing material, say from tiles to COLORSTEEL® it might cause structural or compliance issues meaning you’ll need a Building Consent. Your roofing contractor should be able to advise you about that and help with getting the consent.
6. Documentation
You should get a material warranty from the roofing manufacturer and a workmanship warranty from the roof installer, maintenance instructions, and a proof of compliance if it’s relevant to your job.
Work with Canterbury’s top roofing specialists
So you can see that reroofing is not as simple as turning up with a truckload of roofing steel and a ladder and getting started. DCM have been reroofing houses and commercial properties all over Canterbury for many years and we know what it takes to do it right and deliver true value for money.
If you’re thinking about reroofing we’d love the opportunity to show you why we’re tops for re-roofing in Christchurch.