Reroofing is a process you may not be familiar with until it becomes time to replace the roof on your own home. And even then, there’s a lot to learn about which products to use and what procedures best meet your individual roofing needs. Therefore, it’s vital to know that you can rely on the roofing contractor you choose to give you good advice about those products and procedures that may be new to you. The key is to find the right roofing contractor for your job. That’s why Dunne Roofing has developed this guide to selecting a roofing contractor. The questions contained in this guide are designed to help you determine the reliability, reputation and experience of a contractor; as well as his dedication to providing you with the best roof system possible. A top-notch, professional roofing contractor will be only too happy to supply you with answers to these questions. At Dunne Roofing, we do just that.  It also makes good sense to ask these questions. We’ve also outlined some important points to consider as you evaluate the terms of your proposed job contract.  Being confident you’ve selected the right roofing contractor will help assure that you have a quality roof overhead and that your hard-earned money has been wisely spent.  This is our goal.

At Dunne Roofing, we suggest that you evaluate your roofer as carefully as you would a doctor or lawyer. It is certain that you will want a roofing contractor who employs capable applicators to install the shingles. It is also clear that you will need to look closely at the proposal offered, the products selected, and the price/value relationship of the entire package. But what criteria can you use to decide if the contractor is a true professional who will stand behind his work? While there is not a single, clear-cut answer, there are a number of indicators that you can look for when going through the evaluation process.

You cannot choose a professional roofer by looking at an estimate and comparing prices. Allow yourself an hour, more or less, to sit down with each contractor. (Dunne Roofing will come out to talk with you.  You might be speaking with a salesperson or even the owner. Both of you need time to ask questions and explore the possibilities. You will be surprised at how many options you have. Good contractors like Dunne Roofing take pride in their work, and so should the salesperson representing the company. The salesperson should show pride and enthusiasm in discussing other jobs. 

Getting the complete address of the company can be an important factor in determining a company’s time in business. If a post office box is given, ask for a full street address as well.

Dunne Roofing is centrally located in the Chicago Area. In business 120 years located at 310 Busse Hwy, Park Ridge, IL 60068

A contractor should carry comprehensive liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance to protect you in the event of a roofing accident. This can be verified by asking to see the contractor’s certificates of insurance (workers’ compensation and general liability). Let the contractor know you want current certificates sent to you by the

insurer before the job is started. Contractors may also carry other kinds of insurance including health, life and auto insurance. Bland assurances of insurance coverage may refer to these. Don’t be confused. Ask for proof of general

liability and workers’ compensation* coverage for roofing projects.

Uninsured contractors. Roofers who do not carry insurance will most likely be cheaper to hire as they do not have the large insurance premiums to pay. Workers’ compensation premiums can increase wage costs from about 20% to as much as 100%, depending on the state. There are a variety of reasons why full insurance may not be carried by a contractor, such as:

• Not a full-time contractor

• Operates as a partnership or self-employed without employees

• New in the business

• Can’t afford insurance premiums

• Doesn’t stand behind work

It is up to you to determine if it is worth the risk to hire a contractor who does not carry insurance.

(Dunne Roofing is Bonded and Insured)

When you pose this question, you are, in effect, asking if the contractor is licensed by your state and/or city.

Not all states require contractors to be licensed. If your state does license contractors, then he might have had to pass a written examination in his specialty, although few licenses make this a requirement. A number of cities also require professional licensing. Check with your local licensing authority for details. 

Dunne Roofing maintains up-to-date licensing through state and local authorities and is a good standing member of the National Roofers Contractors Association.

Needless to say, longer is usually better. Under three years may signal an unstable business or one low on the learning curve. On the other hand, everybody has to start somewhere. References will be helpful to double

check any business, and are especially important when dealing with a new business. A newer business may have a great future but it is only reasonable to be more careful when considering its referrals. The failure rate of small businesses in the first three years is very high.

Dunne Roofing has been doing business since 1887 or more than 120 years. 

• Ask for photos of completed work, if available. Keep in mind, however, that many roofers will not have photos.

• Request a list of 10 names and phone numbers of recent customers (last 12 months). It is not necessary to check all 10, but you will be able to pick randomly from the list those you do call.

Dunne Roofing provides referrals to any potential customer

Important information about the Dunne Roofing General Policies:

1. Dunne Roofing performs work on a timely basis?

2. Dunne Roofing is responsive when asked for information and changes?

3. Dunne Roofing acts as if we care about the customers interests?  We do!

4. And finally, Dunne Roofing is a trustworthy roofing company?

Dunne Roofing is responsive, communicates well and will resolve any complaints quickly.  This is our job and we take pride on doing it well.

What is an estimate?

To simplify, an estimate will typically offer a single price, a generically described product, a color and no options. This is traditional and legitimate. But it isn’t very consumer-friendly. We complete it early and we feel this is important.  We will sit down with you and go through our estimate until you have a good comfort level of understanding it. Yes with Dunne Roofing

Contractor’s workmanship warranty

Make sure this is clearly noted in the contract. Yes with Dunne Roofing

Cleanup

Call for a daily cleanup of the premises. This becomes very important if shingle tear-off is necessary.

Yes with Dunne Roofing

Payment terms

Schedule, terms and method of payment should be written out fully with no room for misunderstandings.

Yes with Dunne Roofing

Preliminary inspection

Finally, agree to an inspection before the job with the job supervisor. Establish the condition of the property before any work is done. Yes with Dunne Roofing

Compliance with local codes and ordinances.

Will they be observed? YES! Are permit costs included? YES!  Who will obtain the permit? Dunne!

What about provisions for posting zoning notices? Have inspections been planned? Yes with Dunne Roofing

We hope this will help you in your selection process.

Learn more about Dunne Roofing here

Dunne Roofing truly has an excellent reputation in the Chicago area and suburbs for its expertise and long standing in the community as the Chicago area top roofer.  Builders and remodelers across America know this is true of Dunne Roofing. For starters, we’ve been in the roofing business for over 120 years, and we have thousands of satisfied homeowners. The process of building that satisfaction begins the moment you turn to us.  You’ll get a roof that’s made from high quality materials and backed by our strong warranty program. It’s our promise to you.

Satisfaction Guaranteed.