Metal Roofing Companies: How to Choose One Best For You and What to Look For

Installing a metal roof is one of the best construction decisions you can ever make. It provides you with a wide array of benefits that you cannot get from any other type of roofing. The next crucial step is choosing the best contractor. This may be overwhelming especially when you are not sure of what to look for.

At Top Metal Roofs, we understand what makes a good roofing contractor. Our priority is to provide durable roofing materials and styles that suit your needs. Our skilled and experienced installers provide top-notch services and perform the job to your desired standards.

Below is a guide on how to pick the best among many metal roofing companies.

How to Choose the Best Roofing Contractor

Having an unqualified or inexperienced roofing contractor can be disastrous. You, therefore, must be well informed about what to consider before signing a contract.

Legitimacy and licensing 

Your roofing contractor must be licensed and have the requisite permits to legally operate in your area. The company must be highly rated by the building department and the employees qualified for the job. You need to confirm their licensing status regardless of how skilled they appear to be or how much they are charging you. You can verify by calling your town or city hall and asking for the license number.

Sometimes, when you list your roofing contractor on your application for a building permit, their license is checked automatically. However, this is not reliable because some towns may either not verify or not require permits for some small jobs.

References and reputation

After you determine their legitimacy, each contractor that you are considering for hire should provide a minimum of three references. To determine the contractor’s competence and reliability, you need to call the references and ask these questions:

• How satisfactory was the contractor’s work?
• What was the contractor’s approach to emerging issues?
• Did the contractor stick to the agreed schedule?
• Was there hidden work or any hidden fees that arose later?
• Would you hire the contractor again?

Contractors recommended by neighbors, friends, family or manufacturers of metal roofing materials are a better option. If you cannot get such references, you can check for reviews on their services and products on the internet as well as browsing through their websites and portfolios. References from their suppliers and banks will give you insight into the quality of roofing materials they use and their financial stability.

Certification by manufacturers 

Roofing contractors are not required to have any certification from roofing material manufacturers. However, using a certified roofing contractor is an advantage to you. To be certified, the contractors must be specially trained by the manufacturers, which makes them better at installing the roofing material. With certification, the contractor can extend the manufacturer’s warranty on your roof. This offers protection against any installation errors or defects that may occur later.

Job mastery

You need assurance that your contractor has the requisite knowledge and experience to complete the job. Check their references and ask them detailed questions about the job requirements. How competent do they appear? Are they able to detail the available materials and the installation process from beginning to end? Will they assess the roof before providing a cost estimate or will they determine the cost once they start working?

A good contractor should be helpful and responsive to all your questions. In addition, the company should not require full payment upfront. Between 20% and 30% should be paid after the job is completed.

A written contract 

Put everything in writing. Your roofing contractor should give you a written document which includes the time frame as well as the scope of work based on your discussion. If anything is missing from the contract, be sure to ask for it. If the contractor is not willing to have it in writing, you may consider hiring a different person for the job.

Skilled workforce and quality materials

Find out from the crew whether they are employees of the company or subcontractors. While subcontractors may do the job, they are often picked because of their cheap services. They may not have the requisite skills or experience to do the job to your desired standards.

In addition, experts recommend that you contact suppliers to see if the contractor purchases high quality and permanent materials. Such materials include:

• High-quality sealants
• Interlocking starters and finishers
• Woven underlayment that has plastic cap nails as an alternative to staples
• A shield to protect the roof’s eave edges from water and ice
• Open, self-cleaning valleys to eliminate the risk of ice buildup caused by close valleys
• Ridge vents
• Energy saving finishes that reflect heat
• Concealed fasteners to avoid a roofing system failure that may be caused by panel penetrations.

Warranties and insurance 

Look out for the warranties provided by your contractor. Some metal roofing companies offer lifetime guarantees on materials and installation expertise while others limit the warranty to natural calamities. Some companies offer warranties that are customized to your needs such as energy efficiency.

Choose a contractor that has insurance coverage for their employees. This will relieve you from worries about workers sustaining injuries in your home. With an insured crew and warranties, you will have peace of mind.

Your Checklist for Vetting Metal Roofing Companies

As you plan to install a new roof on your home, a contractor’s verbal assurance is not enough. The checklist below will help you to vet prospective contractors and determine who will provide you with unmatched materials and services.

• Is the roofing company licensed?
• Does the company have all the relevant permits?
• Are the workers covered under Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
• Do company workers use safety equipment?
• Does the company have General Liability Insurance Coverage?
• Does the contractor give a written price estimate or an exact quote?
• Is there a verifiable physical location for the company?
• Does the company have a good reputation?
• Are there references for the company?
• Do they have a reference letter from the bank?
• Do they have a letter from their supplier?
• Are the workers employed by the company?
• What type of training is available for company workers?
• Do the workers have a code of ethics?
• Does the company communicate with clarity?
• What warranties does the company offer?
• Does the contractor use permanent materials?
• What is their policy on alterations to work that is agreed upon?
• Is the sales process inclusive of a total attic inspection?
• What are the job clean-up standards of the company?
• Is there a ‘respect’ agreement between the company and the sales associates?
• Does the company have any industry affiliations?
• What is the company’s business bureau profile?

Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractor

To determine their suitability, you need to ask the metal roofing companies some questions:

• Do you have a roofing license?
• Do you have references, examples, and pictures of projects you have completed?
• Can you provide proof of both Workers’ Compensation Insurance and liability insurance?
• How long do you take to complete a standard project?
• How will items near my roof such as the house, yard, gutters, and other things be protected from damage?
• Will the installation be done by your workers or by subcontractors?
• Will you require access to my home in the entire installation period?
• What type of warranties do you offer?
• Who is the contact person during the project?
• Does your quote entail the use of standard details by the manufacturer? If not, why?
• Why do you recommend this type of roofing system? How will it function with other features of my roof?
• What part of the installation is potentially difficult?
  • How will you handle it? What options do I have? How will it affect the cost?
  • Will the manufacturer offer any assistance to solve the problem?
• How can you minimize oil canning in my installation?

Top Metal Roofs is Your Best Choice

Whether you are replacing an old roof or installing a new one, you need the best roofing company for the job.

Why Choose Top Metal Roofs?

• $5 million liability Insurance
• All installers are WSIB covered
• We build the most efficient self-ventilated roofs in North America
• Our sheets have a 4-inch overlap, the largest in North America
• Our sheets have the highest content of non-recycled steel
• Our raw materials are pressed into modular panels through a roll-forming process NOT the sampling process
• Our steel sheets have seven layers of protection and a baked polymer coating – we DO NOT use PVC or Acrylic painting.

A metal roof adds an instant appeal and long-lasting value to your home. Here are more reasons why you should choose a metal roof.

• 50-year warranty on your new roof
• No maintenance or repair costs
• Reduces heating and cooling costs
• Raises your property/resale value
• Raccoon and pest-proof roof solution
• No toxic mould in your attic insulation
• Eliminates ice dams and prevents leaks
• Fire, wind and hail resistant

Contact Top Metal Roofs Today

Metal roofing is aesthetically appealing and lasts beyond 50 years with little or no need for maintenance, repair or replacement. To be guaranteed of such durability, you need a reliable roofing company that has skilled, competent and experienced staff. At Top Metal Roofs, our high-quality materials and extraordinary services set us above other metal roofing companies. We have a wide portfolio of successfully completed projects and satisfied clients. Call us on 647-470-7161, and we will discuss your metal roofing needs!