Re-roofing is a process you may not be familiar with until it becomes time to replace the roof on your home. Even then, there are a variety of products and procedures to choose from to best meet your roofing needs. A new roofing system is an important investment and you should insist on a professional contractor. The following are some considerations when choosing a contractor:

1. Ask for important information about the company such as a permanent business address, telephone number, tax identification number, etc.
   
   
2. Ask for proof of insurance, both liability and workers comp and request to see copies of the certificates. If a contractor is not properly insured, you may be liable for accidents that occur on the property. Contractors who carry insurance and follow safety guidelines endure higher job overhead costs. These expenses will be the cause of price variations above contractors who ignore them. A contractor who does not carry insurance may not be a full time contractor, new to the business, can't afford the premiums, or doesn't stand behind his work. It's up to you to determine if it's worth hiring a contractor who does not carry insurance.
   
   
3. Check to see if the contractor is properly licensed. Most states require a business license and/or contractor's license. A number of cities also require a professional license. You should check with your local licensing authority for details.
   
   
4. Ask if the roofing contractor is certified with any roofing manufacturers. This will establish their credentials as an eligible roofing contractor and their dedication to the profession.
   
   
5. Find out how long the company has been in business. This will give you an idea of their stability as a business. The failure rate of small businesses in the first three years is very high, and if a problem arises down the road they may not be around.
   
   
   

6. Request references of previous jobs and photos of completed work, if available. Check the references to see if the contractor has a proven track record of customer satisfaction. Ask past customers their opinion on the following:
   
   
   • Was the work performed on a timely basis?
   • Was the contractor responsive to requests for information and changes?
   • Did the contractor care about the customer's interests?
     
     
7. Ask what workmanship warranty the company offers. The length of the warranty is not as important as the intent and ability of the roofer to stand behind his work. Even if problems in workmanship arise after the warranty, a reliable contractor will usually still stand behind his work.
   
   
8. Insist on a detailed proposal with complete descriptions of work and specifications.
   
   
9. Check to see if the contractor is a member of any regional or national industry associations, such as National Roofing Contractors Association. This demonstrates a commitment to professionalism.
   
   
10. Ask the contractor what type of safety policy he has in place.
    
    
11. Find out how the contractor has handled past customer complaints. You may do this by contacting the Better Business Bureau and licensing departments.
    
    
    

12. Try to get three bids on a particular roofing job. Keep a healthy skepticism about the lowest bid -- if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Many fly-by-night contractors offer attractive prices because they're often uninsured and perform substandard work. Professionalism, experience, and quality workmanship should weigh heavily in your decision.