How To Verify A Certified Roofing Contractor In Coral Springs

It can be tough choosing the right roofing contractor in Coral Springs, but it’s worth it to make sure you know all of the facts first, as it is a crucial decision. For homeowners in South Florida, your roof is your home’s most critical and first line of defense against the harsh elements. A roof that has been installed or repaired by unlicensed and uncertified contractors can suffer from significant problems down the line. These issues range from leaks and structural damage to energy inefficiency. It’s common for most contractors to claim incredible expertise and years of experience; however, the peace of mind that comes from working with a certified, reliable, and skilled roofing contractor offers a significant advantage.

So now that you’ve decided on the contractor that you’ll use, how can you be sure that they are genuinely certified and hold the credentials they claim? Our comprehensive guide is going to walk you through the essential steps to verify a certified roofing contractor. When you’re done reading, you will be empowered to make an informed decision and protect the investment in your home.

Understand the Different Types of Roofing Certifications

Whenever you hear the word “certified”, it’s important to know that within the roofing industry, this can refer to a range of different types of credentials. More often than not, these certifications come from manufacturers or professional standards organizations that mandate a commitment to certain standards as well as the quality of their workmanship. In other words, the contractors need to have proved themselves to these parties to receive the certification.

Manufacturer Certifications

Roofing material manufacturers grant these certifications to contractors who meet their specific set of requirements. Manufacturers often indicate the following aspects in their certifications:

Installation expertise – Contractors should demonstrate proficiency in installing the products according to the manufacturer’s express guidelines.

Business stability – Roofing contractors should maintain a good business standing, which includes all of the appropriate licensing and insurance. Business stability also requires that the contractor has the financial ability to handle the expensive issues related to your roof. You want a company that has better than normal credit with the suppliers they are using, pays their bills on time, and gives you a Release Of Lien (R.O.L.) when you provide final payment.

Ongoing training – Contractors should participate in regular training programs so that they stay updated on the latest installation techniques as well as product and technology innovations.

Warranty benefits – A homeowner such as yourself is going to want to know that their chosen contractor can provide manufacturer warranties for the specific roofing materials used in the project.

Professional Organization Certifications

Professional roofing organizations such as the Florida Roofing & Sheetmetal Association (FRSA), Roofing Contractors Association of South Florida (RCASF), and the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) offer certifications to compliant roofing contractors. These certifications signify and uphold the contractor’s commitment to industry best practices, professional standards, and ethical business. These certifications are usually rigorous in their testing and adhere to strict codes of conduct. Failure to remain compliant will often result in the roofing certification being revoked.

State and County Licensing

State and county licensing is different from manufacturer and organizational licensing in that it relates to the local authorities granting the business the right to operate within the industry. This essentially helps to protect residents from bad actors and poor-quality workmanship. Any legitimate roofing contractor will hold all the required licenses to operate within Coral Springs as well as Broward County and the greater South Florida region.

Ask the Important Questions Upfront

If a roofing contractor purports to hold the relevant credentials of being a certified roofing contractor, then you should ask to see them. A valid and legitimate company will not withhold this information from you, and if they do or seem reticent to give it to you, don’t even consider them any further, hang up the phone.

Here are some ideas for the specific details that you can ask:

• names of the manufacturers or organizations that have certified them.
• ask to see their list of suppliers to check their financial standing
• certification numbers and expiration dates – reputable roofing contractors will readily provide their certification numbers and the expiration dates of their credentials. (As we will see below, this information is crucial for verification.)
• ask to see physical or digital copies of their certification documents.
• inquire about their experience specifically installing the roofing systems for which they are certified (and that you are considering for your home)

Verify Manufacturer Certifications For Yourself

This is a step that you can do independently in order to provide peace of mind: that the manufacturer that your contractor claims to be certified with agrees. Remember those names, certification numbers, and expiration dates that you collected earlier? Well, now you can use them to good effect by verifying those details with the manufacturers.

Manufacturer Website

A simple place to start is with the specific manufacturer’s website. Many manufacturers now make it simple and easy to verify with online tools, usually under a heading like “Find a Contractor” or similar. Using the contractor name and certification number, you should find out in minutes if the manufacturer and contractor records agree.

Contact the Manufacturer Directly

If you can’t find suitable information online, then it’s time to go old school. Get on the phone and dial up the manufacturer’s office closest to you and see if they can verify that information for you. There is usually a customer service number or a contractor support line dedicated to these kinds of queries.

Check Professional Organization Membership and Certification

The same process as outlined above applies to professional organization membership. In today’s online-dominated world, there are more and more options, with certain organizations even publishing smartphone and tablet apps on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. You can make use of these smart apps in much the same way as websites. And if you are unable to verify anything online, then pick up the phone and call the nearest office.

Check Online Reviews and Reputation

Okay, we must admit that looking for online reviews is not a direct means of verifying the contractor’s credentials, but you will get a good idea of their reputation within the community. Other patrons will always give you a good sense of the contractor’s work quality and level of professionalism. Their opinions, as well as the contractor’s overall reputation, can help give you valuable insight in this regard.

Here are two solid places to begin your search:

Google Reviews – Members of your community will have rated the contractor and given their opinions on their experience.

Better Business Bureau (BBB) – Here, you’ll be able to check for any complaints that have been filed against the company, as well as a rating.

Ask for References and Check Them

If a roofing contractor is proud of their work and clientele, they will be able to provide you with a list of references and satisfied customers. Don’t be shy to ask them for the list and then actually contact some of the people and businesses on there. Ask specifically about how they dealt with the project professionally and even how certain problems that may have arisen were handled. Ask questions around the quality of their work, the efficacy of communication, and how well they managed the project timeline.

Why You Should Choose a Certified Roofing Contractor

So now that you understand how to go about verifying your roofing contractor’s credentials, why should you even bother about finding a certified roofing contractor?

There are a few advantages that we think you’ll be interested in:

• Manufacturer certifications demonstrate the contractor has passed training in the installation of specific roofing systems and materials
• You as the end-user of the materials, have the benefit of enhanced manufacturer warranties because of the accreditation
• Industry best practices have to be followed, which ensures that you have a higher-quality installation
• Certifying bodies, such as the FRSA, RCASF, & NRCA, hold certified contractors to a higher standard
• Certified contractors will ensure that your roof is compliant with all the required building codes
• Peace of mind – There really is nothing like it, is there?

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