Choosing a contractor can be confusing. It can also be disappointing if you don’t know exactly what to look for to guarantee the skill and dependability of your final choice. Often people will decide on a more expensive contractor simply because they believe “you get what you pay for”. However, problems will arise because this statement is not necessarily correct! Unfortunately, there are a number of contractors out there, as there are in any business, who charge you a small fortune and deliver very poor quality results! The aim of this short blog post is to help you know what factors to consider (besides price) when you seek to hire someone for your contracting needs in the great state of Minnesota!

Minnesota General Contractor Consideration Guidelines

If you’re focusing simply on roofing, scroll down! In general, however, there are certain factors that need to be considered whenever you hire someone to do a job for you.

*Reviews – There are several places online where you can receive feedback from others who have used a business. Don’t simply base your decision on one review. Get as many as possible. Try to find people who have used the service in your area and ask them about their experience.

*Website – Look for a well-designed website that includes such information as what a company specializes in, how long they have been in business, what their work philosophy is and any other factors that indicate they are professional and open. Pictures can give you a great idea of the quality of work that is performed. The more pictures of projects they provide, the better.

*Better Business Bureau – The BBB will have information related to any bad dealings the company may have had with clients. They also provide ratings that can help you see where the company ranks in their mind based on customer satisfaction, experience, etc.

*Angie’s List – This is one of the biggest review sites online. If you don’t check out any other one, do check Angie’s List for anything that is said about the contractor.

*Membership/Licensing – Look for verification of licensing and any professional organizations the business belongs to. Both of these can give you information of the quality of training the contractors have received. It also reveals the standards of performance they meet for various organizations.

Take the time to do your homework before you have even contacted the contractor personally to help narrow down your list. This is your money and your home that is involved, so you want to make sure you find someone to do the job correctly the first time.

Choosing a Roofing Contractor in Minnesota

When you are looking to hire someone to work on your roof, you want to make sure you get a qualified professional who won’t leave you looking for another contractor three to five years down the road. Before you invest your money in a roofing contractor, here are some things to consider:

*Insurance – A professional roofer will carry insurance on all employees and coverage for any damage that may be done to your property while the crew is working.

*Bonding – Are the workers bonded? Bonding helps protect your home from theft.

*License – Check to make sure the roofer is licensed. This lets you know they have passed training and know what standards are required for finished work.

*References – Don’t be afraid to not only ask for references, but to check them out. A reputable company will be willing to refer you to others who have been served by them.

*Guarantee – Find out if the company offers a warranty on their work. Check on what aspects of the project are guaranteed and how the company handles complaints.

*Contract – A reputable roofer will provide a contract or proposal that details what work will be done, the estimated cost and length of time it will take to complete the project, and what steps you can take if you are not satisfied with the final results. Many will include more information, but you need to get at least this much in writing.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. This is your money and your home and you have a right to feel at ease with what is to be done. If you are dealing with professionals, they will be more than glad to answer your questions!