Choosing a contractor for work on your home is always important, but few things require more homework and careful decision-making than having your roof replaced. A poor roofing job can not only lead to issues with leaking and water damage down the road, but can also cause issues with your insurance company and claims in the future. How though, can you be sure you're hiring a quality contractor for your job? 

There are a few telltale signs to watch for that let you know you are (or aren't) hiring the best person for the job: 

• A detailed estimate following your initial consultation. A quality contractor will come to your home, meet with you, inspect your roof, and then put together an itemized estimate. They will be willing to go over this itemized list with you, noting the brand and type of materials to be used, how the costs break down over materials and labor, and what portions are/are not optional. If a contractor shows up, is ready to jump on the roof that same day, and says you can "talk about numbers later," you need to send them on their way. 

• No mention of cleanup protocol. Quality roofing contractors use heavy-duty magnets to do thorough cleanup following a job. Occasionally (but not always) they will even return more than one time to ensure no nails are left behind to be stepped on or picked up by a tire, pet, etc. If your chosen team never mentions cleanup, and shows up with only a couple of shovels, a rake, and a pickup truck, you might need to stop them before they even climb that ladder. 

• Plan of action. Your roofer needs to provide a plan, from the arrival time on the day(s) work is to be done, to how their follow-up procedures work. Even if they don't provide all information up front, they should easily and comfortably be able to answer your questions about the plan and schedule, including how many team members to expect, how long the job should take, and so forth. 

• Communication is a key indicator of a quality roofer. You need to feel in the loop when you're paying such a large sum of money for a household project. A good contractor is easy to reach by phone, email, or text message, and is prompt in getting back to you in the event that you have to leave a message. If you're enduring ignored phone calls, un-returned messages, and general lack of communication from your contractor, you need to find a new one. 

EZ Roofing Systems takes pride in offering the very highest quality of service to our clients, from choosing the best materials on the market, to staying in close communication with each individual homeowner throughout their roofing process. We make the process "EZ," so why would you suffer through with anyone else? Give us a call for your estimate! 

Roofing contractors carry a lot on their shoulders, and we aren't just talking about shingles. Those who are licensed and insured, with adequate experience under their belts, know that they must wear multiple "hats" during the roofing process for a client. What other professions do they have to tap into? 

We were hoping you'd ask...

Legal Code Enforcement. While we are by no means claiming that a roofing contractor is a lawyer, they do need understanding of local laws and codes. In Florida, each county has varying codes and requirements that must be met, and certain types of permits could be required, before work can be done. Hiring a roofer who is familiar with your city with years of experience will not only make this process smoother, but possibly faster, as they already know how to file any and all paperwork quickly, and can get it into the hands of the appropriate people ASAP. 

Plumber. Yep, plumbing and roofing actually do share some commonalities. When plumbing is put in during the construction of a home, there are "stacks" or vents that extend up and out of the roof of your home. These offer positive water flow and help release any gas and pressure buildup inside your drain pipes. If you hire a handyman with little roofing experience to do your roof repair or replacement, you could end up with costly damage to these pipes, and in turn, have to pay for a plumber to fix the mistakes. A licensed and experienced roofer will know what to look for, and how to avoid damaging these areas in the midst of your roofing job. 

HVAC Technician. Much like the plumbing mentioned above, your HVAC system often has components that are vented out of your roof. Bumping any of these, or damaging them in any way, could lead to expensive AC repairs. Another reason to call in the pros that know how to avoid these problematic areas when working on your roof! 

Pest Management. Roofers see a fair share of pest issues here in Florida. Roof rats and squirrels are two major contributors, as they are notorious for chewing holes in roofing materials to gain access to attic spaces inside your home. During winter months, they use these access points to come and go as they please, using your insulation as nesting material for the cooler weather. A quality roofer will recognize these types of damages, and can make sure they are properly repaired and sealed off before they complete your job. Then, they'll let you know about the issue so you can call a true pest management team in to tackle the problem from the inside. 

EZ Roofing Systems is proud to serve the greater Polk County area with quality roofing service and neighborly customer care. We are licensed and insured, and with years of experience under our tool belt, you can count on us to get the job done right the first time, every time. From full roof replacement to minor repairs, we have you covered!