Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractor: A Series by Bourbon Country: Roofing, Home Exterior, Custom Homes

Whether your home needs repairs or just some cosmetic renovations, it can be difficult to find a contractor and a team that you trust. Your home is your largest investment and your safe space so when choosing a contractor, it’s imperative that you ask them questions. But what, exactly, should you be asking? Bourbon Country: Roofing, Home Exterior, Custom Homes compiled a list of the most important questions to ask before hiring a contractor.

Question 1. What are the best roofing materials for my home based on weather conditions in my area?

Although we don't experience many Hurricanes or an intense Tornado Season here in Kentuckiana, using high-quality roofing materials that stand up against Mother Nature is of utmost importance here at Bourbon Country: Roofing, Home Exterior, Custom Homes.

We are proud to say that we only use top-of-the-line materials for our Roofing Installs, and are Preferred Contractors with Owen's Corning and AtlasPro Shingles.

Our Owen's Corning Duration Shingles offer an added layer of protection against heavy storms, high winds, and potential hail storms - ensuring your roof, home and family are protected and safe no matter the weather we experience in our region.

Some of our AtlasPRO shingles also offer another layer of protection with proprietary polymer-modified asphalt which gives this shingle a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating.

Question 2. What is the company's full name and physical address?

Some Roofing Contractors may have a fancy business card - but there is no legal legitimacy to their business. A red flag to watch for is if a company can't provide a physical address, website, or link to their standing on the Secretary of State's website.

Bourbon Country: Roofing, Home Exterior, Custom Homes' full business information can be found on our website, across our social channels, on the Secretary of State's Business Listing, our listing on the Better Business Bureau's online directory, and on several local Chamber of Commerce Directories as well.

We are a proud Veteran Owned & Operated Business based out of the Elizabethtown, KY and Bardstown, KY area.

Question 3. Are you licensed & insured?

A reputable company won't hesitate to provide you with its license information for the city, county, and state. Did you know that it is YOUR responsibility as the homeowner to verify that the company you've selected for any job on your home is fully licensed & insured? Your insurance company isn't vetting the company of choice to ensure that they have an active insurance policy on their workers or their work - so remember to always do your full research before hiring just any contractor for your home.

Bourbon Country: Roofing, Home Exterior, Custom Homes is fully licensed & carries insurance on all Crew Members ensuring our Crew is safe - and the homeowner is protected if any problems arise.

Question 4. How many years have you been in business?

When catastrophe hits an area you suddenly see an abundance of contractors advertising services to assist with the damage. It's important to complete research on the company you receive a quote from to ensure they weren't founded yesterday - after the storm blew through.

You can easily view the date of inception for any legitimate company by checking their Business Profile on the Secretary of State's website, and can even view the date that Business Facebook Page was created to ensure it wasn't just last night.

An established roofer has more experience dealing with a variety of roofing projects and should have a portfolio of past work completed and reviews from past customers.

Bourbon Country: Roofing, Home Exterior, Custom Homes first opened our doors in 2019 after years of working in the industry. Our experience and commitment to high-quality workmanship is what sets us apart from Roofing companies that may only open their doors when storms pass through.

You can view a portfolio of our work on Social Media accounts to increase your confidence in the quality of the jobs we complete for our local communities!

Question 5. Do you give written estimates?

A written estimate should outline every part of the roofing project, and should be sent to you in a professional way. If a contractor submits their estimate as a blanket sum via Facebook Messenger - they may not be the company you want to ensure the safety and correct installation of your roof.

At Bourbon Country: Roofing, Home Exterior, Custom Homes you will meet with a dedicated Team Member who will be your point of contact throughout the entire process. You will receive a copy of your estimate via email for your approval before the job begins. If you are filing an insurance claim - your dedicated Team Member can work with your Adjuster if needed.

Question 6. How will you protect my home and lawn during the project?

Many homeowners don't think about how a roofing project could cause potential damage to their landscaping and lawn. Shingles, Nails, and other roofing materials could be left littering your lawn after your new roof installation - and that's something no homeowner wants to experience. Our Team ensures that once your roof is installed - all leftover materials are disposed of properly and not left littering your lawn.

We use a heavy-duty magnet to find and pick up any stray nails at the end of the job - ensuring no family members or pets are exposed to leftover materials.

Question 7. Do you offer warranties for your work?

A credible roofing company will always offer a warranty on the work completed - but most come backed with a one-year warranty. Bourbon Country: Roofing, Home Exterior, Custom Homes offers a Lifetime Limited Warranty on all roof replacements automatically to our homeowners.

Our Owen's Corning Shingle Installations come with a Lifetime Limited Materials Warranty, and our AtlasPRO Shingle Installations are backed by an additional 15-Year Craftsmanship Warranty.

Question 8. How do you keep the project on track?

While even the most skilled roofing contractor may encounter unforeseen challenges during a project, it is crucial for them to proactively address potential delays. Regardless of experience, it is essential for roofing contractors to have a contingency plan in place to minimize disruptions and keep the project on track. By being prepared and proactive, contractors can effectively navigate any obstacles that arise, ensuring timely completion and client satisfaction. Challenges that may impact the timeline of your full roof replacement can include unsuitable weather for replacement and shortages in supplies.

Question 9. What happens to the Refuse Material?

Refuse material encompasses all waste and disposable materials generated during a roofing project, including recyclable and non-recyclable items. It's important to avoid having your yard cluttered with debris and waste once the project is finished. To ensure proper disposal, it is recommended to inquire in advance about the roofing company's plan for managing this material.

Here at Bourbon Country: Roofing, Home Exterior, Custom Homes - we handle all the post-installation debris for you! Our Crew will have your home looking beautiful and ensure that all materials are removed from your property after completion.

Question 10. Do you accept insurance claims?

Yes, absolutely!

Our team can work closely with you and your insurance company to get your roof repairs or replacement covered. And our team is available for all your projects - large or small. From full roof replacements to siding and gutter repairs, if your home needs it, our team can do it!

Question 11: Do you offer financing?

We do! Bourbon Country: Roofing, Home Exterior, Custom Homes has partnered with AccuLynx to offer our clients solid financing options.

Some advantages of working with AccuLynx include:

✒️ No underwriting

💲 No added costs

💳 No credit card is required for payment

💰 Job estimate is translated into a monthly payment

💌 Email notification when the financing status has changed

🖥 Secure, online application with results in seconds

🏦 Lender deposits funds into your bank

Bourbon Country: Roofing, Home Exterior, Custom Homes strives to give our clients the best in customer service, products, and warranties. So whether you’re looking for a roofing contractor or a team to build a deck, we would be honored to help assist you in making those visions come to life.

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