Here’s How To Avoid Unscrupulous Roofing Contractors In Minnesota

After a week that featured a round of severe storms in the Northland, and with more likely on the way at some point this summer, many Northland homeowners may find themselves looking to repair or replace their roofs.

The challenge is finding the best contractor to do your project while avoiding scams that unfortunately exist in Minnesota and beyond. Despite the many reputable businesses in the area, it seems horror stories emerge each year from homeowners who were taken advantage of.

While it's important to stay within your budget, it's also crucial that your money goes towards finishing the job. I had a friend hire someone for a job at a great rate and they did show up for a day of work, but then disappeared once payment was received.

Finding A Reputable Roofing Contractor

With that in mind, the Better Business Bureau provided helpful information everyone should keep handy.

Having a checklist of things to look for before hiring anyone can save you a lot of stress, time, and money.

Their six key tips for hiring a roofer include:

• Make sure you understand the full scope of the project. You should know what exactly the roofing project entails. For example, will they be doing spot repairs or replacing the whole roof? Having everything detailed in the contract is important, as is knowing the pros and cons of each solution.
• Ask about clean-up and waste removal. Make sure your contractor will be responsible for taking away all old materials and cleaning up your site after their work is complete.
• Consider your gutters and landscaping. A roofing job will require ladders that can cause damage when leaned against your gutters or stuck in your landscaping. Ask your roofer about their plan for protecting against damage or how they will fix things after the job.
• Plan for bad weather. What happens if there is bad weather while your roof project is underway? Will your home be protected if it rains, for example?
• Check your insurance coverage. If your project is for fixing the damage, check your homeowner’s insurance to see if your project is covered and how you should proceed if it is.
• Different contractors for different roofing systems. Roofing contractors may be certified to install specific types of roofs. Check with the manufacturer to see if your contractor is certified for their system.

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The Better Business Bureau adds that it's important to look over the proposal from your contractor. If it's detailed and broken down into separate line items, that's a good sign.

Items That Should Be Included In Your Estimate And Contract

Some of the common items to look for in a legitimate estimate include:

• The type of roof covering, manufacturer, and color
• Materials to be included in the work, e.g., underlayment, ice dam protection membrane
• Scope of work to be done
• Removal or replacement of the existing roof
• Flashing work, e.g., existing flashings to be replaced or re-used, adding new flashing, flashing metal type
• Ventilation work, e.g., adding new vents
• Who is responsible for repairing/replacing exterior landscape or interior finishes damaged during the work?
• Installation method
• Approximate starting and completion dates
• Payment procedures
• Length of warranty and what is covered, e.g., workmanship, water leakage
• Who will haul away the old roofing materials and/or project waste (e.g., extra materials, packaging, etc.)? Is there an extra charge for this service?

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