A roofer, roofing contractor, or roofing repair contractor is a skilled tradesperson who usually specializes in repairing roofs. Roofers repair, replace, install, or clean the roofs of commercial buildings, using various materials, such as slate, shingles, fiberglass, and tar roofing. They perform work that may be difficult and dangerous for other people to do, such as replacing a leaking roof. In some states, roofing contractors are required to be licensed by the Department of Commerce or the Department of Insurance. These professionals must be licensed in order to provide services in your state, although most states do not require roofing contractor licensing or insurance.
When it comes to hiring roofing contractors, you need to take time to research each one. For example, if you have an asphalt shingle roof, you need to make sure that the contractor you hire specializes in repairing asphalt shingles and installing slate, tile, or other roofing material. Also, if you have a wood shake roof, you should make sure that the contractor you hire specializes in repairing wood shakes and installing asphalt shingles. This will help guarantee that you get your job done right.
As you are thinking about hiring a roofing contractor, you should ask to see some previous work they have completed. For instance, if you want to hire a roofing contractor to repair a leaky roof, you should request samples of previous work they have completed for other clients. Asphalt shingles are a very important component of any roof, since they provide the backing and durability to the material and to the structure of the building. However, if you hire a roofing specialist who has never installed asphalt shingles before, you could end up with a leaky roof that could weaken the building and make it more susceptible to leaks.
In addition, a roofing contractor can help you decide what roofing materials will be best for your home. There are a variety of different materials to choose from, including slate, ceramic tiles, metal roofs, clay tiles, asphalt shingles, gypsum boards, and other types of roofs. If your roof is in good condition, it may not be necessary to replace it, although this would be a topic for discussion between you and your roofer. It is important to discuss this issue beforehand, especially if you are not certain about whether you want to invest in new roofs for every house you own. If you decide to go with slate or ceramic tile roofs, for example, you should talk with your roofer about which type of tile will be best for your home's location, its climate, its style, the number of stories in the building, and other factors.