When it's time to hire a roofer for your home, the options are usually plentiful. From the local handyman down the street, to the commercialized, big-box store roofing "professionals", you can find people willing to hop up onto your roof and replace shingles, repair wood rot, or offer a full replacement in some cases...but does that mean they're the best choice?

Obviously, there are factors to be considered when hiring a roofer that can greatly impact the job at hand. While we understand that cost is a big factor for the homeowner, going with the cheapest guy available usually means you'll end up with sub-par work, potential insurance issues down the road when that repair or replacement starts leaking, and likely, a bad experience all the way around. However, the most expensive roofer isn't always the top choice either. In reality, more than cost, there are two big requirements to look at when you hire a roofer: licensure and experience.

A licensed roofer is one you can trust, since they have been made to pass a myriad of different criteria before acquiring that licensure. Additionally, a listened roofer is usually an insured roofer (the two often go hand in hand) which protects you and your home from damages and/or injuries of the roofer and his team. Licensure alone though doesn't necessarily guarantee a great outcome. A brand new roofer can receive his license, but if you have a particularly tough roofing issue to tackle, he might be a little off put by it and have a hard time coming up with the best solution. That's where experience comes in. An experienced roofing provider has a wide variety of clients backing him or her up, and can offer you a list of references from previous customers. These references not only give you a glimpse of the customer service provided by the roofing contractor, but also give you an idea of what types of jobs he or she has handled in the past. The more experience, the better.

EZ Roofing Systems is proud to be both licensed and insured here in Florida (CCC1328107), and with years of experience under our belts, we are able to provide comprehensive roofing services to the greater Polk County area. When it's time for a roof replacement, or when a leak comes your way, Bob the Roofer is the one to call first. We make your roof problems just a little bit "EZ"er.

So, you're ready to invest in a new roof and it's time to start shopping around. You could hire the local handyman that lives two streets over, or you could take the time to research local licensed professionals. While the choice seems simple, you'd be surprised how often people opt for the former. Why? It's "cheaper", it's "faster", and it's "really the same work" so there's no difference, right?

WRONG. 

We'd like to point you to an example for just a moment. Take time to think about a wedding. Sure, a bride could just head down to the local grocery store, ask for a cake, and hope for the best. She could ask her cousin's friend's aunt's babysitter to take the photos for a very affordable price, and she could simply call up a few friends and neighbors to bring food to share with a large group, call it a "potluck reception" and be done. Chances are, if you heard of a bride actually doing these things, you'd caution her against it. Everyone knows that taking time to search out quality professionals in each field, asking for references and a portfolio, and following the motto "you get what you pay for" is often true when it comes to weddings. Why, then, do we think it's any different when it comes to our homes? 

Licensed contractors offer a huge array of benefits not provided by their handyman counterparts, and while we respect the work that handymen do in many areas, when it comes to your roof, anything less than a licensed and insured roofing contractor will be a huge mistake. Not only can you actually negate your homeowner's policy if you allow someone unlicensed to work on your roof, but you can end up with huge liability issues, damages that come out of your pocket and (most likely) sub par work in the end. What do licensed contractors have to back them up? 

• Insurance. Policies protect the contractor AND you in the case of an accident or in the case that the work is less than satisfactory.

• Contracts. These legally binding documents make sure you do, in fact, get what you pay for. 

• Legal payment plans ONLY. A licensed contractor can legally only ask for 10% of the total projected cost, or $1,000, whichever is less. If you have a contractor asking you for full payment up front, or for several thousand in "deposits", RUN AWAY! 

• Industry knowledge. Since licensed contractors must stay up to date on all the current legalities, practices, AND trends in the industry, they will be able to give you the highest quality in roofing work at the best possible price. 

Don't make the mistake of trusting your roof to someone who could leave you in worse shape than you started in, holding bills and staring up at a leaking roof. Take time to find a local, licensed roofing contractor. Residents in and around Winter Haven trust EZ Roofing Systems to provide all of their roofing needs, from insurance inspections and general maintenance to repair and roof replacement. If you're in the area, give us a call for your free estimate!