Reputation -- Stability -- Workmanship

Bank Financial Stability & Character Letter

This signed document from the bank will show you the financial stability and the bank's judgment of character of the company you are considering. Insist on seeing this letter so that you know that you are dealing with a company that is stable and financially sound.

General Liability Insurance Certificate - Not "Self-Insured"

You need to know if your contractor carries general liability insurance for both commercial and residential projects. A sizable contractor usually carries a minimum of $1,000,000 of coverage and more often than not $2,000,000. If your contractor's insurance policy cannot cover potential damages, then the contractor would be personally liable. If he cannot cover the damages himself, you will have no legal recourse and will end up paying for the repairs or even a new roof yourself. Over three-fourths of roofing companies do not carry adequate insurance coverage to protect customers against losses.

Supplier "LIEN WAIVER" Letter.... UP FRONT!

Don't be fooled; some might promise you a Lien Waiver letter, but you must insist that it be given to you UP FRONT, before the job begins. Do not make your first payment before you have this Lien Waiver. Very few contractors will be able to provide this ultimate level of consumer protection for you.

At Ark Roofing, our suppliers NEVER mail our customers a Lien Notice. Why? Our stability, long-standing relationships and credit history with each supplier has earned Ark Roofing a unique standing in the roofing industry. It is unfortunate, but the roofing industry as a whole does not have a strong reputation. At Ark Roofing, we work over-time to be sure we maintain both a high customer-service rating, as well as an excellent credit rating with our vendors.

Arbitration Statement In Contract

Ask to see the arbitration statement in your contract. If complaints arise, the roofer agrees to settle disputes through binding arbitration. Without this agreement, you have little or no legal recourse.

Current References

All reputable roofers carry pre-printed lists of references. Such a list includes customers from 1 to 5 years ago, as well as customers from the previous month. Also, ask for suppliers, business references, etc. A roofer should be able to supply, on demand, a comprehensive list of ALL clients served for at least the last 3 years. A three year list of clients should contain at least 5,000 separate job references.

There's Only 2 Circumstances Where You Should Give Cash Up Front ... And Only 2

Reputable roofing contractors do not need cash up front for 99% of the jobs they do. The only circumstances that make deposits necessary are when the customer special orders non-returnable roofing materials, insurance does not cover repairs, or the customer has questionable credit. Be careful of contractors who ask for money up front, especially if your roof is standard wood, composition, or tile shingles. This is the number one area of fraud among contractors.

Trade Association Certificates of Standing

Belonging to trade associations implies some quality and ethical integrity on the part of the contractor. Associations like the National Roofing Contractor Association and the Tennessee Association of Roofing Contractors are common associations.

Certified Contractor Status Letter

A roofer should be able to produce a certificate stating that he is qualified according to certain standards. Although, there is no national (or local) governing board, a roofer should also be able to produce a list of what their industry standards are.

Use Only Certified Installers

Sometimes a contractor will try to use his certification for his entire staff. Make sure every individual crew member is certified. Think about it... the person who really needs the certification is the person doing the job, not necessarily the owner of the company. Ask to see your crew's certified installer's cards.

Compliance to Manufacturer Installation Guidelines

Ask for their certification for technical competency in using the product they are going to apply on your roof. There are several different types of roofing products .... and not all contractors are proficient in all types. Have your contractor produce his letter of certification saying that he has passed all technical requirements to properly install the product you have selected for your roof.

Quality Compliance Audit and Checklist (at least 12 points)

There are 12 quality audits that should take place during the installation of your new roof. Ask for your quality audit checklist. Each point should be inspected, graded and passed off by a job inspector, and the list should be reviewed with you during and after the completion of the job.