You have likely heard the horror stories of people who hired a bad contractor and struggled to get their home fixed properly, but that doesn't have to be your story.

If you ask your roofing contractor the following five questions and listen thoroughly to their answer you can avoid the bad ones before you even give them the job.

Remember, your contractor is working for you and you have the right to ask for this information! Any roofing contractor not willing to answer the questions may have something to hide.

1. How long have you been in business?

You want to hire a roofing contractor that has been in business for many years; preferably many decades. This shows that they have a lot experience and knowledge in the field and are competent when it comes to roofing projects.

Of course, the actual technicians who come to your home to perform the work aren't likely to have been with the company for its entire history. That is why it's important to follow up with the following questions in addition.

2. Are you licensed and insured?

Roofing contractors will be required to secure a license and carry insurance in case they make a mistake or create additional problems on a job. This insurance is for your protection as it will cover any costly expenses from mistakes the roofing contractor may make while fixing your home.

If a contractor cannot show proof of license and proper insurance do not use their services.

3. How experienced are your technicians? Are they screened prior to hiring?

The technicians are the ones who will actually be coming to your home and performing the work, so their level of experience and background matters more than that of the company owners. You want to make sure the roofing contractor employs professionals with adequate experience in the types of services you are having completed. They should also have clear criminal background checks to ensure your safety.

4. What services do you offer? How long have you been offering them?

Don't assume that all roofing contractors will have experience and knowledge in the jobs that you want completed, especially if it is not one of the more basic roofing services. Some roofing contractors can do much more than just work on roofs, such as working with doors, windows, and siding.

You may be able to get a great rate if you contract for multiple types of services with the same roofing contractor, so always ask what services they can provide and how long they have been providing those services.

5. Do you provide financing and what are your payment terms?

If you desperately need roofing repairs or other types of home repairs but don't necessarily have the money upfront to cover all the work, ask if the roofing contractor can assist with financing. They may have programs that will help you get the services done on terms that you can actually afford.

You may also want to ask questions regarding the type of work that you want to have done. A good contractor will be able to answer all of your questions and it should be obvious that they know exactly what they are talking about.