Contractors who offer to repair residential roofs have flooded the market. In fact, these services are easy to obtain and in many cases, just a phone call away. The benefit of having so many repair personnel in the same area is that such services can be quickly obtained. At the same time, it is vital to note that not all constructors are reliable and can do a satisfactory job that meets all of the homeowner’s requirements.

The challenge in this process is to choose a contractor who can be trusted, one who is reliable enough to perform the work in the way that was envisioned. The outcome of the job is dependent on the workmanship of the company that has been selected to perform the work. Therefore, it is important for the homeowner to make the best selection in order to get the best out of a roofing repair experience.

Following are some areas that should be included in the selection process for a great roofing contractor:

• License - A qualified contractor will have undergone extensive training and will have submitted to all of the governmental requirements to get an appropriate license. Not all roofing builders are licensed, so a homeowner should do research before hiring a builder to ensure this company is able to provide the kind of service that is expected.

• Better Business Bureau - A contractor who can do an excellent job for the homeowner will have an "A" rating with the BBB with no customer complaints. Contact the BBB and ask for a "reliability report." The BBB will provide consumers access to this report so that a determination can be made as to the reliability of any company being considered for the job.

• Written Estimate - A written estimate is essential in determining when the project will begin; the type of materials that will be used, and the estimated amount needed to finish the entire job. By obtaining written estimates, homeowners can know ahead of time – and before signing a contract - how much money the project will cost and the length of time for the project to be completed.

• Work Accomplishments – Questions need to be asked to identify how many jobs a contractor has done and to reveal that company’s knowledge about roofing and their performance ability. A good roofer is usually confident in what they are doing and stays up-to-date with advances in roofing technology and techniques. A contractor should be very responsive to concerns of the homeowner and able to explain complicated procedures.

• Project Monitoring - It is important to monitor the job while it is in progress to ensure that the anticipated quality is what was expected and that the project is progressing based on the contract terms. By personally monitoring the project, the contractor can assure the homeowner that the job is meeting their personal standards and specifications.

• Performance Bond - This type of bond does not usually have to be enforced; however, anyone who is having major roofing repairs done should obtain a performance bond to guarantee the completion of the work in accordance to the contract as well as being completed within the time frame previously agreed to by the homeowner and the contractor. In a case where the contractor cannot deliver per the contract stipulations, the homeowner should receive compensation in the amount stated on the bond.

The common denominator in a final outcome for roofing repairs is to get a satisfactory result. Many homeowners are unfortunately disappointed in that result because their expectations of the repair process were not met. The only way to ensure a positive outcome from such an experience is to select a trusted and reliable roofing contractor. Then a homeowner can indeed have a productive roofing experience with positive results!