On our most recent episode of The Mortgage Company’s Community Partner Podcast Series, we sat down with Levi Randall of Advanced Exteriors to discuss the importance of your roof. This week, we will dive into some tips on how to choose the right roofing company and what to look for or avoid.
As with any type of system in your home, HVAC, electrical, etc, it is important to have a repair or maintenance company chosen ahead of time. When something does go wrong, you don’t want to be scrambling and calling the first person that pops up on Angie’s List or the Better Business Bureau. You want somebody ahead of time that you feel comfortable with and trust. Here are a few things to consider when searching for a roofing professional:
- Never give anyone money upfront: You should not be giving a contractor money until you have materials onsite. You can read about Senate Bill 38 here for more information on this.
- Research the company: Look at online reviews, look at Angie’s List, Yelp, Google, The BBB, all of those for reviews. Reviews say a lot about a company.
- Use someone local: If you use a local company, you’re chances of getting in touch with them after the repair or installation are better. These “storm chaser” roofing companies that come in from out of town, are going to be harder to track down should you need something later on such as warranty information, for example.
- Ask for licensing: In Colorado, roofing companies are required to be licensed in every municipality that they are going to be performing work in.
- Ask for copies of insurance: You can always ask a company for copies of their insurance and you can even call the insurance company to verify. Make sure their insurance exceeds the minimum requirements. Some companies have started a policy before and then cancelled it, just to have the little piece of paper. So feel free to call the insurance company to verify.
- Colorado Roofing Association: Check to see if a company belongs to the Colorado Roofing Association or any other reputable association.
- Ask Around: Ask your family and friends about the companies they have worked with and which ones they liked best, or which ones to stay away from.
Something to keep in mind when choosing a roofer is that Roofing companies are not allowed to absorb a rebate or credit your deductible. This is again part of the Senate Bill 38. There are companies that will advertise this or will offer this. But just know, there is no such thing as free lunch. You will pay for that later whether in quality or a hidden expense or whatever it is. Especially when all you have to pay is your deductible, you shouldn’t be “price-shopping” but rather “value-shopping.” Which roofing company is going to give you the best value and overall experience? That is what you should be looking for.
If you think you might have a problem with your roof, or if you think you may need to file an insurance claim for your roof, contact Levi Randall with Advanced Exteriors and he would be happy to come take a look at your roof, and talk about the different options available to you. Even if there is nothing wrong with your roof, the next time there is, you’ll at least know who to call!
About Levi Randall
As a second-generation Colorado native, Levi enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children, enjoying Colorado’s outdoors.
Growing up in the Construction Industry gave him a good foundation in building materials, designs and the various systems. He then made a transition into the Insurance Industry as a property and casualty claims adjuster, handling catastrophe property loss claims for almost 6 years. In this time, he handled over 5,000 property loss claims. His experience as a claims adjuster in Colorado, opened his eyes to a gaping hole in the “insurance restoration” contractor field in Colorado; specifically, in the Front Range areas. Through his professional interactions with property owners/managers, and many of the roofing & restoration companies, one company always stood out with exceptional customer service, repeat and referral business, as well as employees who have been with the company for several years. He decided to become a project manager with Advanced Exteriors, Inc. to have a positive impact in this field, with an exceptional company who provides the tools necessary for him to accomplish this.
“I believe education adds value, and I love educating property owners on the ‘ins and outs’ of this industry so they don’t get taken advantage of.”
Cheri Landin
NMLS #68929