Understanding Your Roofing Contract

February 11, 2013 – Paradise Valley, Arizona

How To Review Your Peoria, Arizona Roofing ContractSince the cost of a new roof can be substantial, it’s important to read your roofing estimates and contracts carefully. Take nothing for granted; if it’s not in the contract you may not get what you hope for. Here are some things to look for in your contract.

The most important part of a roofing contract is the warranty. Generally there are two parts to the warranty, the manufacturer’s warranty and the roofing contractor’s warranty. The manufacturer’s warranty will typically cover the materials they manufactured. The manufacturer’s warranty can range anywhere from 10-30 years, depending on the materials used.

Your roofing contractor should offer a warranty to cover errors in workmanship. Be sure to choose a reputable Paradise Valley roofer, since the warranty on workmanship is only good as long as the contractor stays in business. Try to choose a roofing contractor who has a good, long record in the Phoenix area. Although the warranty provided by the roofer usually has a shorter term than the manufacturer’s warranty, if a roof is not installed correctly, problems will become evident rather quickly, usually after the first rainy season, so even a one-year warranty is helpful. Save the receipt from your contractor and the receipts from all materials purchased. You will need them if you have to file a warranty claim.

The contract should include a fairly detailed description of the work to be done and the materials to be used, right down to the brand, type, and color of the materials to be used on your new Phoenix tile roof. It should also include removal and disposal of your old roof. You will want everything that needs to be done listed. Request a breakdown of the materials to be used and the price of those materials. The contract may also include exclusions, such as the contractor not being responsible for damage to landscaping.

The contract price should be clearly shown. This is the cost. It should also include how and when the contractor expects to be paid. Anything not listed in the description of work and materials will cost extra.

You will also want to be clear as to what happens if something unforeseen comes up. Often roofers find things like more rotted wood than was expected. You will want an estimate of the extra labor costs and also the cost for wood replacement per foot, or per sheet of plywood.

The contract should also show that the contractor is licensed and insured, otherwise you could end up responsible for any injuries.

The contract should tell you approximately when the work will be started and completed, barring unforeseen circumstances, such as bad weather.

If you don’t agree with anything in the contract, don’t sign it! Don’t be sweet talked or pressured into taking the contractor’s word for something. If he doesn’t want to put it in writing, or the contract seems vague, you may not be dealing with a reputable roofing company. If he doesn’t want to provide you with a reasonably concise and detailed contract this should immediately raise a red flag, as you can expect a reputable contractor to warrant his work. Don’t be fooled by low prices, these can be tempting, since contractors who don’t provide or stand behind a warranty can offer significantly lower prices.