Things you should know…

…Before you select a roofing company

Find out if the company is properly licensed.

And the phrase “Licensed and Insured” isn’t necessarily proof! By Maryland law, a home improvement company owner must pass a written test and prove financial solvency before being issued a license. Once licensed, the company is required to post their license number (MHIC #) on their work vehicles. Licensing is for your (as homeowner) protection. A licensed home improvement company is accountable to the state of Maryland for its workmanship and contracts. There is even a fund that compensates homeowners for actual monetary losses due to poor workmanship or failure to perform a home improvement contract. However, the fund only applies to work done by licensed contractors. See www.dllr.state.md.us/license/occprof/homeim.html for more information.

Is the company properly insured?

Is the company properly insured to protect you from any possible negligence on their part? Any home improvement business should be able to provide you with a copy of their current insurance certificates.

Is the business in good standing with the state of Maryland?

Visit this website for Maryland’s Department of Assessments and Taxation.  Type in the company’s name and click ‘search’.

Ask the company for references.

…then drive by those homes and talk to the owners if possible. Ask them if their roofing problem was resolved by the company, if the company was pleasant to work with, if the company fully explained the work being done, and whether the contract was completed as promised.

Will the company show you proof of the work they do?

When hiring a painter, you likely would not pay them without visually seeing that they did the work they promised. Unfortunately, many homeowners have unknowingly been cheated because they couldn’t see their roof. Select a company that physically shows you (with photos or otherwise) the problems on your roof, and then the completed work after they are done working on it.