If you Google bad contractors you will find about 11,100,000 (as of 12/22/2008) articles that relate to it. Scary isn’t it? Why is it that there are so many people who have had a bad experience with contractors? My accountant once told me that a lot of it had to do with the fact that there is a very low “barrier to entrance” when it comes to contracting in South Carolina. What that means is this: To be a doctor or lawyer or CPA you need years of school and many exams, but to be a contractor you simply need a hardware store close by and $10 for a hammer.

But what makes it even worse for homeowners is the fact that in the winter, the number of so-called roofers in Columbia doubles.

You see, during the summer months and when new housing is at a normal level (right now as everyone knows, new housing is in a slump) there are between 150 and 200 roofers here in Columbia. But, right now there are a whole lot more. Why? Because every siding company, electrical contractor, plumber, kitchen and bath remodeler and builder is doing roofing right now to put food on the table. What does this mean to you? When a contractor is working outside of their core competency, they either have to sub-contract the work out (meaning you have know idea who is actually installing your roof) or they do it badly because they only do roofing a couple months out of the year. Either way, as a homeowner, you get taken. Not to mention they won’t be here in a couple of years if you have a problem. Also, because the vast majority of these part-time roofers feel like they have to cut the price in order to get the job, they offer customers inferior products and sub-standard specifications that will shorten the lifespan of the roof. Unfortunately, by skimping on quality and specifications, their roofs will only last 8-12 years, instead of the 30 they promised.

So what can you do? What, as a homeowner, can you do to make sure that you choose a roofing company that will a) install it properly and b) be here in 5-10 years to fix it if there is a problem?

There are some things you can look for. Some key points, that if followed, can greatly increase the chance of getting the right roof installed by the right contractor for the right price. No one wants to pay more than they should for a roof, but you definitely don’t want to pay too little either. Because if you do, you’ll be fixing it every time it rains.

Here are some of the topics discussed in the article:

1. How do you know if you need a new roof?
2. What shingle should you choose and should you tear off the old roof?
3. Is ventilation important and if so, why and what type?
4. Who should be installing my roof and how do I know they are the right company?
5. How do I know the price I’m paying is fair for the job I’m getting?
    

In the article, Things To Look For When Buying A New Roof, all of these questions, and many more, are answered in detail. Study it, and if you have any questions or would like someone to give you an in-depth evaluation of your roofing needs, call 803-955-0374 or go to our free estimate page on our website.

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