How to Make Sure Your Roofing Services are Licensed and Insured

Why Should You Care About Licensing and Insurance?

You might be wondering why licensing and insurance are necessary for roofing services. After all, many states don't require contractors to have them, so how important can they be?

Let's start with proper licenses. You can think of a license as shorthand for a quality roofing contractor. It means that your roofer went through an assessment that proves their technical ability.

As such, they can provide a higher quality of work for basic roofing jobs. What's more, they also have the skills to approach jobs that require a higher degree of competence (like complicated roof jobs or larger projects).

However, it's important to note that licensing with roofing services doesn't just verify their skills. In many cases, it also helps show that they follow ethical practices in the way they run their business.

When you partner with a licensed provider, they're not going to try to upcharge you for elements you don't need. You also aren't going to find problems with the workmanship of the roof a few months down the line.

Licenses carry with them a higher quality of standards that many roofers simply don't take seriously. Next, there's insurance. Roofing work can be undeniably dangerous. One wrong step and a worker can fall from the roof and injure themselves.

And, if the contractor is uninsured the cost of workers' comp and any potential lawsuits is passed on to you.

Similarly, if the workers damage other parts of your property without insurance, the bill for repairing them falls on your shoulders. An insurance-covered contractor gives you peace of mind because it will cover these costs if the unexpected occurs.

What Are Local Indiana Regulations?

As we mentioned in the last section, many states don't require roofers or other construction workers to carry licenses. Sadly, Indiana is no different. There are no licensing requirements for roofers or most other construction contractors in the state.

The one exception is with the plumbing industry. This is the one aspect of the construction industry that Indiana does regulate. However, it's important to note that many counties and cities within the city do require licenses.

For example, in Indianapolis, any person who performs construction is required to have a contractor license. To get this license, they must carry an insurance policy that meets the minimum requirements for property damage and bodily injury or death.

However, here in Fort Wayne, there are no regulations that state that roofers must get a license to work in the city. However, as discussed in the last section, just because it's not required doesn't mean it's not important to look for.

Ask the Roofing Services Company Directly

The easiest and quickest way to make sure that roofing services are licensed and insured is simply to ask them directly. An insured roofing company will likely proudly display the fact that they offer these qualifications.

For example, here at TruChoice Roofing, it's one of the first things we answer on our FAQ page. You can verify this fact by asking for copies of their up-to-date license and insurance policies.

Don't feel bad or awkward asking your roofer for this information. If their roofing services are worth their salt, they will want to make sure that you're comfortable before proceeding with the job.

Providing proof of their insurance and licensure is a great way to put their clients at ease. If your roofing service refuses to provide you with copies, it's quite likely they lied about their qualifications. In these cases, you should look elsewhere.

Use Online Databases to Verify

Thanks to the rise of the internet and online databases, it's much easier to figure out if roofing services are licensed compared to the pre-digital age.

Thankfully, the state government in Indiana does make it easy to check for these qualifications before you hire a company. All you need to do is go to this database and then plug in the necessary information.

Remember that just because a company says they're licensed doesn't necessarily mean they are. Licenses expire or can be canceled unintentionally. Or, worse, companies can just flat-out lie to you.

As such, it makes sense to verify before you proceed to the next step of your contract. Sadly, online databases typically don't reveal insurance information.

As such, you'll need to ask them directly for more details related to their policy. If you have an insurance company, they should be more than willing to work with your company to ensure that the work is covered.

Make Sure You Protect Your Roof With a Warranty

The last thing you want is to spend thousands on a roof replacement only to find that it starts leaking a year or two down the line. The best way to prevent this is to go with a roofing service that offers warranties on their work.

Aside from the practical benefits, this is a good sign that the company stands behind any work that they complete.

For example, here at TruChoice Roofing, we offer a lifetime warranty on all of our metal roofs and shingling roofing systems. It's our way of showing you that our roofs are built to last for decades to come.

Other Things to Look For in a Roofing Company

Making sure that your roofing services are licensed and insured is a great first step to ensuring that you're happy with a legitimate roofing company. However, it shouldn't be the only thing you look for during your search.

In this section, we'll be going over some of the other things you should consider. Make sure to check out this full guide for some additional tips on choosing the best roofing contractor.

1. Positive Reviews

Online reviews make it easy to quickly gauge what the average client's experience has been like with licensed roofers. Simply do a quick Google search, and then filter the online reviews.

Ideally, these reviews will include pictures of the work so you can decide if it meets the standards you want for your home.

With any company, you can expect the occasional bad review. However, if you notice an overwhelming amount of them, you should steer clear. This is a clear red flag that most people haven't had a good experience with the company.

2. Accurate Estimates

Predatory roofing companies will give you an inaccurate, sliding estimate that likely doesn't include things like labor, material, and taxes. As such, you want roofing services that go out of their way to provide you with the most accurate estimate possible.

Ideally, they'll be able to provide you with this quote in writing. When getting an estimate for something like a roof replacement, we recommend that you ask all of these questions.

Pay close attention to how they answer them. If you notice them avoiding the question, you should look elsewhere. Quality contractors will go out of their way to ensure that they provide you with a fair price that they stick with throughout the roofing job.

3. References

References are a great way to get a more detailed idea of a company's past work that online reviews often don't allow.

Ask the company for a few references from the past two or three clients they worked with. Call or email them and ask them some questions like:

• Were you satisfied with the final result?
• Were there any problems that arose after the roofer left the site?
• Were there any unexpected costs that the roofer didn't prepare you for?

If you want, you can also ask them for pictures of the finished job. If you're about to undertake an expensive roof job, it can be worth it to interview references like this.

Ready for Roof Services You Can Trust? Contact TruChoice Roofing

We hope this guide helped you learn more about the importance of licensure and insurance for roof services. Here at TruChoice Roofing, we know that different clients have different aesthetic and budget needs when it comes to their home's roof.

That's why we offer a wide range of options to our clients to help them find the perfect choice. More importantly, all of our employees are required to have a contractor's license and insurance.

So you know that you're only getting the most qualified workers around. If you're ready for the roofing services you deserve, contact us to get a free quote today.