How to Hire a Metal Roof Service and Save money!

Metal roofs can cost you thousands, and they add yet another expense to your home's already-crowded budget. Fortunately, there are ways to save money on a metal roof without spending a fortune as well as a glamorous view of the landscape. Working with an experienced contractor is the only way to get the right results from your roofing job, and you'll be performing an essential service: You'll be creating healthy, breathing air throughout your home. The benefits far outweigh the cost—not to mention the headache!—of hiring a new roofer. Here’s how you can ensure that you and your home echo the praises of your new contractor by working with one over the long term:

Hire a Licensed Contractor

First, you'll want to get your contractor's name and address, along with a phone number and email address. When hiring an interior contractor, you'll want to make sure he/she is licensed and certified as a roofing contractor by the state. If you're unsure which state to choose, the National Association of roofers (NARO) has a helpful guide for roofers who wish to practice in other states. Once you've got the details, you'll need to sign a contract that spells out the terms and conditions of the hire, including who owns the roofer and who retains their responsibility for the work. If you work with a licensed roofer, he/she will be responsible for you, your family, and your home.

Have a roofing contractor perform an inspection at your home

Once you've chosen your contractor, you'll want to get his/her name and phone number, as well as a written description of the work and any trophies ( Medals or awards won from any sport) you're proud of, from memory. This list could easily exceed 100 examples, so you'll likely end up using it as a guide.

Out-quicker than scheduled repairs

Here's a common problem homeowners encounter: They have a contractor come to their home ahead of time and schedule their repairs a day or two earlier than scheduled. This could be due to weather or road conditions, or it could be a result of a contractor not having the necessary permits or licenses needed to work on the property. In some cases, homeowners can outright file a lawsuit against their contractor—often because they were skipped over by the anticipated time. This is a pretty common complaint among first-time homebuyers, and there's even a Facebook group dedicated to it. Consistent with the Contractors Anonymous website, you'll want to begin the search for roofers as soon as possible—preferably before any major construction projects begin. Make sure to get quotes from multiple companies, and don't be afraid to ask for a more specific estimate.

Hire a reputable company

If you're really in a saving mood and want to stick to the recent contractors, you could consider looking at local contractors. However, there are plenty of reliable, trustworthy companies that have a much more competitive rate of turnover. It's simply a matter of finding the right contractor for your home and getting him/her to work. If the contractor you choose is not up-to-date on his/her knowledge and skills, your home could be in for a long, hard time. It's a good idea to get a sample of work from a company to make sure you're in control of your budget and aren't end up with a cheaper, less-than-optimal contractor. When it comes to hiring a reliable contractor, it's important to keep in mind that the homeowner is the one who's choosing the contractor. Hire a firm that's been around for a while, with a long track record of success. You'll also want to keep in mind that contractor turnover is often very high—usually in the double-digit range. This turnover rate means that your new contractor could be acquiring skills that are not fully suited to the job. And using old, outdated skills could lead to damage caused by the contractor's lack of experience.

Protect your hard drive from water damage

The rainwater that fills the roof space is what gives your roof its unique character. However, the water damage that occurs when those raindrops land on your roof can be costly to repair. It can be difficult to keep your roof water soluble, and the same is true for your home's other essential services: plumbing, electricity, HVAC, etc. If you have to tackle this water-related issue yourself, you'll probably need a mechanical device to contain the risk. Painting the roof can be an inexpensive way to diversify your landscape and add some color to your otherwise barren walls.

Hire the best subcontractor for its job

You want a company that knows how to do the job. You don't want a company that knows nothing about the job at all. That said, if you find that a given contractor doesn't know how to do your job, you can always refer them to a lesser-quality one. If cost is a concern, you could also consider hiring a non-affiliated company.

Bottom line

The final step in saving money on a metal roof is to have the best possible agreement with your contractor. This is often the easiest part, considering you'll only be paying for work done and have no control over the final bill. However, in some cases, you'll have to sign a contract that broadens your terms and conditions. This is usually a good thing, as it signals to the world that you trust this contractor and want them to do the job properly. These actions will all add up to savings and plenty of cash in the end.