Thursday, 27 August 2015

What to Look For in The Roofing Companies Chicago Listings

Generally, the roofing companies Chicago listings are broken down into three categories - commercial, residential and general. Commercial companies deal with commercial and public structures, residential work on residences and residential structures, while general contractors may do a mix. The first thing you have to figure out is what type of contractor you need to call. It is usually very straightforward, but can get tricky if you need a roof for a residential structure like an apartment, house or condo. With these, the general assumption is that anything with a square footage area over the size of a standard 3 bedroom house may need a commercial contractor.

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Make sure the license is listed

One common advertising element of all the roofing companies Chicago listings is that their license number will be shown. This is actually a legal requirement. If there is no license displayed in a listing, cross them off the list. That is the type of detail orientation you want in a roofer; you don't want someone who can't take care of that on their own.

Does the company have a BBB listing?

Next, look to see which ones mention the Better Business Bureau. This is very important with roofing as it is one of the few trades that needs access to property. The BBB is voluntary, unless a complaint has been filed. It is preferable to choose a listing that has the BBB logo, but you should also do a search of the company on the BBB site as many who have no complaints just don't recognize this is a selling point.

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Do they mention a specific location?

Here is something that a lot of people miss - the locations served as part of the listing. Many companies will specifically identify areas of Chicago as being in their service area. They may go wherever you are, but that may raise their price considerably. Roofers live and die by their schedule. The good ones know how to define a territory that will let them keep all of their projects on time.

Using contact information as an evaluation tool

Now this is a secret trick that you can use when trying to figure out which companies to call for an estimate. Look at how their contact information is listed. You should see a phone number and an email at least. At most, you also want a website. If all of these are present then you know you are dealing with a company that has an understanding of organization, and that is keeping up with the times. You want to then check out the website, make your contact and see how long it takes them to respond to you. Even if you are just calling a phone number, contractors should get back to you within one business day if they are on their game.

Getting the Estimate

Once you have gone through the roofing companies Chicago listings to find your choices it's time to contact them and get an estimate. Make sure you can clearly describe the work you need to have done or you might get estimates for a new roof when all you wanted was a leak repaired. Be clear and direct, and make sure you know if the estimate is guaranteed or not.
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Tuesday, 11 August 2015

Comparing roofing companies in Chicago

There are hundreds of roofing companies in Chicago. When it comes time to find one that can do work for you it pays to know exactly how to do a comparison.Cost is one of the last things you should be looking at. This guide will quickly show you how to compare and select the contractor you need.

One reason there are so many consumer sites that offer reviews and comparisons of all of the roofing companies in Chicago is that there are so many of them to choose from. You used to be able to just take a few names, call and check on licenses and insurance and then make your decision. To do that now would be a full-time job. Comparison and review sites can work to your advantage if you know what to look for in a company. Licensing is important, but there is more to consider.

What services do they offer?The first step in narrowing down your list of choices is to look at the services that they offer. Just about every roofing company will say they do residential and commercial roofs, but you have to look a little closer to see what services they put at the top of their list. Some of them specialize in metal and rubber roofs, which are more commonly associated with commercial buildings. Of the residential roof types, companies may have a shown preference for asphalt shingle over slate or tile. Pay close attention to how they list what they offer, that will show you what services they excel in and are most prepared to do.

What areas do they serve?

Chicago covers a large area. You need to identify what areas the company serves. If they serve all of Chicago then you have to identify which of their licensed contractors serve your area. If you are considering a large roofing company that works with independent contractors, you should call for the licensing information on the specific contractor for your area. Roofing isn't like plumbing where independents can work under a master license. Independent contractors can work under the main business license of the company but they will need their own individual permits and coverage.

Customer and professional reputation
Now you can go read the customer reviews, contact the State about licensing, insurance or complaints; as well as review any information found on the Better Business Bureau site. One word of caution about online customer review sites, the Internet is just now seeing steps put in place to catch and prevent false reviews from being posted. That doesn't mean a company can't get glowing reviews from everyone, but you need to take negative reviews with a grain of salt as well. The best way to really find out the reputation of any of the roofing companies in Chicago is to call them and to request references you can contact by phone.

Estimate procedureGetting estimates from roofing companies in Chicago that fall into the top 5 on your comparison list is one of the best ways to do the final selection. Make sure that you provide the contractors with enough information about the type of roof you want, maintenance capabilities and desired lifespan. Be willing to listen to suggestions that they make about the roof type. They know how the Chicago weather affects roofs, and the one you want may not be the best choice.Don't feel pressured to accept an estimate, but clearly identify a time frame in which you will respond to it and follow through.
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