Know Your Contractor
Whether you are repairing the roof of your home because of hail storm damage, maintaining the roof of a commercial facility, or responsible for construction of all the new buildings for the local school district, you want a roofing contractor that will do the job right the first time. You want a contractor that has the experience and knowledge to provide only quality workmanship. You want your contractor to be responsible and reliable. Someone that will still be around after the job is done. You want a contractor that offers business savvy. Someone who has complete knowledge of all related safety and regulatory laws. Someone who understands your concerns. You want a roofing contractor that has expert knowledge of his trade and can bring the latest technology and most effective roofing techniques to bear for your job. You need a CERTIFIED ROOFING CONTRACTOR.
The Roofing Contractors Association of Texas requires that roofing contractors go through a rigorous screening process before they can become certified. RCAT takes the pressure off of you and takes the responsibility of declaring that a contractor has met the standards of a true professional contractor. Both commercial and residential roofing contractors can become certified. The principal goal of this voluntary certification process is to increase professionalism and consumer confidence in the roofing industry, as well as to assure homeowners, architects, developers and general contractors that their roofing contractor is experienced, reliable and knowledgeable.
All roofing contractors are not alike, and National Roofing Contractors Association also recommends that you pre-qualify roofing contractors to get the job done right the first time if you live outside the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex area the following guidelines will help in your decision:- Check for a permanent place of business, telephone number, tax I.D. number, and a certification number issued by the state RCAT; see our qualifications.
- Insist on seeing copies of the contractor's liability insurance coverage. Make sure the coverage is in effect through the duration of the job.
- Look for a company with a proven track record that readily offers client references and a list of completed projects. Call these clients to find out whether or not they were satisfied.
- Insist on a written proposal and examine it for complete descriptions of the work and specifications, including approximate starting and completion dates and payment procedures (Always compare apples to apples).
- Check to see if the contractor is a member of any regional or national industry associations, such as National Roofing Contractors Association and local chapters.
- Call your local Better Business Bureau to check for any complaints that have been filed and not resolve promptly.
- Have the contractor explain his project supervision and quality control procedures. Request the name of the person who will be in charge, how many workers will be required and the estimated time of completion.
- Carefully read and understand any roofing warranty offered and watch for provisions that would void it. Keep a healthy skepticism about the lowest bid. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember, price is only one criteria for selecting a roofing contractor. Professionalism and quality workmanship should also weigh heavily on your decision.
The Roofing Contractors Association of Texas developed the Certification Program to increase consumer protection and secure the public confidence in the roofing industry by elevating the roofing contractor's knowledge, skills and professionalism through voluntary self-regulation.To become a Certified Roofing Contractor in Texas the applicant must:
- Be a principal in a roofing company that has been in domiciled in the State of Texas for at least three continuous years.
- Submit credit references.
- Submit business references.
- Submit proof of financial responsibility, including insurance or bonding, worker's compensation and a completed applicant statement.
The certification is valid for two years and is renewable at that time by showing proof of having earned continuing education credits and by showing evidence of consistent adherence to the original guidelines required for certification.
Certification is available for both Residential and Commercial Roofing Contractors and is open to all Roofing Contractors in Texas who meet the qualifications.
If you have further questions about the roofing contractors certification program or would like to verify the certification of a particular roofing contractor, please call 800-99ROOFl.