You’ve put off getting a new roof long enough, and you’re ready to move forward with finding a roofing professional. But contracting a roofing company is no small undertaking. It can be daunting to search and sort through the countless roofing company listings and to know who to call first. In the end, you need the best roofers in Oakville, Ontario, to do the job. When you’re ready to find and hire the best in the area, here are a few key criteria to look for before you make the call.

Look for Services Offered & Specialties

There are a lot of companies and individuals out there that claim to have roofing expertise. But your flat roofing job is unique, and only those who have niche experience will do. Explore the listings to find those roofing companies that provide a clear list of services offered. And the best roofers in Oakville will showcase their areas of expertise, flat roof or otherwise, to help you narrow your selection. Replacing or repairing your flat roof will require professional experts ready to tackle the job.

Some roofers will claim to be experts at all types of roofing repair and installation. But there are several techniques, trends, and roofing styles to consider. Look to identify if your roofing contractor primarily does residential or commercial properties. Dig deeper into the company’s listed services to learn if the qualified roofers have experience in flat roofing repair, know how to remedy pooling water, or specialize only in new construction projects. The best roofers will offer these details readily and can cite client and project examples to demonstrate their areas of expertise.

See What the Reviews Say

Once you’ve identified those roofing companies that offer the services and specialties you need, it’s time to check the reviews. The best predictor of what you can expect from a roofing contractor lies within the experiences of past customers. Check social media reviews and other online reputation sites to see which companies have not only a good number of reviews but also positive and rave reviews from those who’ve hired them before.

Don’t be discouraged if you find a negative review once in a while, either. When any company has been in business for a considerable amount of time, it’s not uncommon to discover one or two not so flattering reviews. What you can look for here is how the company responded to those reviews. Reputable roofing contractors will also be stewards of good business practices, meaning they will likely look for ways to remedy any client dissatisfaction issues.

Inquire About Safety Standards

Safety standards and necessary precautions should also be a part of your roofing contractor decision. The best roofers in Oakville will have a straightforward process, outlining safety procedures. Reputable roofing companies will have a Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WISB) Clearance Certificate they can provide to new and potential clients. They’ll highlight the safety measures they take to protect their roofers. And there should also be clear expectations for safety precautions taken during the job to help protect you, your building’s tenants, and by-standers. Today’s roofing contractors will also have COVID-19 guidelines to which they adhere, as well.

Look for Transparent Pricing & Project Timelines

Of course, you’ll have a budget and preferred timeline to completion for your flat roofing project. The best roofers in Oakville will offer transparent and clear pricing options. They’ll also be realistic about completion timelines and can outline how they handle unforeseen complications that may arise, like weather or underlying roofing conditions. Look for bids and pricing in writing to avoid bait and switch tactics. Inquire about payment methods and due dates, including down payment requirements for supplies.

The best roofers in Oakville will also offer suggestions and maintenance options to preserve the integrity of your new roof or repaired roof. Regular or annual maintenance schedules can help preserve your roofing investment. And it’s a good sign that the roofing contractor plans to be around in the months and years to come, not the fly-by-night roofers who may disappear once your project is complete.

Ask As Many Questions As You Can

Don’t hesitate to ask questions when narrowing down the best roofing contractor for the job. Inquire about the company’s clean-up process. Look for explanations about how the roofer plans to address your existing chimney or about past experiences with installing skylights. Ask about warranty coverage that may come with your roofing materials, as well as guarantees the company is prepared to make to back its work. Here are a few sample questions you might consider asking before moving forward with your roofing project.

  • Ask to see the company’s licensing and certifications.
  • Insurance questions are always a good idea. You can ask to see a contractor’s proof of insurance, which should provide coverage for workers’ compensation and general liability.
  • Ask if your roofing contractor subcontracts any of their work.
  • You will want to inquire about a company’s local presence and how many years it has been in operation. Consider identifying any key members of management should you have concerns moving forward.
  • Ask the company about what roofing jobs they do the most. You can look for expertise based on the most common work performed, i.e., new construction, residential repair, or commercial properties.

Or You Could Simply Call Essential Flat Roofing

If the process of finding and hiring the best roofing contractor still sounds like a challenge, you could save yourself some time and make one call for all of your flat roofing needs. Essential Flat Roofing is the best roofer in Oakville, Ontario, when measured by safety, customer reviews, pricing, quality of work, and specialty of services. You could significantly reduce your time spent searching for roofers when you call Essential Flat Roofing first.

You’ve put your flat roofing project off long enough. And don’t trust your job to just anyone. Contact the flat roofing experts at Essential Flat Roofing today. You can meet our roofing contractors, receive a clear and free quote for your project, and have peace of mind in knowing you’re hiring the best roofer in Oakville, Ontario.