Replacing your home's existing roof is a huge investment and one that should be undertaken seriously. After all, a roof isn't like other appliances that you can replace or return on short notice if things go south. A good roof should last the life of a home, and as such, you will want to ask roofing contractors a heap of different questions before finally choosing the one to do the job. Take a look below to find just three things you should look for during the process.

Holding Insurance

It may sound like a given, but the fact is that many roofers don't carry all the insurance coverage that they should. This can be a huge issue, one in which a homeowner is left on the hook for damage caused by the roofer. One of the first things you'll want to ask for is the contractor's insurance certificate as proof -- not just of general liability insurance, but also of worker's comp. Both of these should be considered absolutely vital for any homeowner looking to replace their roof, as things can get ugly quick without them. 

Protecting Surroundings

Of course, during the roofing process, the actual roof should take precedent over everything else. But that doesn't mean it should come at the expense of the surroundings. It may not be a common worry for the average homeowner, but gutters can easily be ruined by simple carelessness and lack of protection. The same goes for landscaping and even driveways, both of which might require expensive fixes in worst case scenarios. Be sure to communicate clearly with your contractor the expectations you have in terms of safeguarding every aspect of your property, not just your roof. 

Written Guarantees

In a world where verbal guarantees were always accurate, things might be a bit easier. But the fact about working on any big construction project is that things don't always go as planned. That's why it is more than a good idea to get a written estimate from your contractor that specifies exactly what things should cost -- and perhaps even more importantly -- what the procedure will be if things go over budget. For example, the roofing service may find that there is rotten wood that can't be simply shingled over, which will add to the assumed original budget. If this is the case, having a blueprint for what to do next is essential. 

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