Hiring a Contractor
Have you heard about a “Chuck in a Truck?” That’s a name often given to an itinerant contractor who may not be licensed and probably lacks insurance, but who may knock on your door and offer to do repairs. “Chuck” may stop at your home, especially after a major storm offering to repair your roof.
Be wary of “Chuck.” If you pay in advance, will they even show up to do the work? If they completes your repairs, they may be long gone if problems occur with shoddy work and it’s impossible to file a warranty claim.
Patriot Roofing and Exteriors is the opposite of “Chuck.” We are a licensed North Carolina general contractor with a local presence with offices in Wilmington and Raleigh. We are certified by leading manufactures, like Owens Corning, GAF, and Gulf Coast Metal Supply. Not only does Patriot offer its own warranty, but because we are certified contractors, an extended warranty is offered by Owens-Corning, GAF, and Gulf Coast Metal Supply.
Before you hire a contractor, make sure they are:
• A North Carolina Registered Business—Do you want to do business with someone who has not even taken this basic step to ensure accountability and success? A list of registered firms is maintained by the Secretary of State and can be found at https://sosnc.gov/online_services/search/by_title/_business_registration. Patriot has been registered since???.
• A Licensed General Contractor—A contractor that enters into contracts in North Carolina above $30,000 must be licensed, but it is a good idea to use only licensed contractors for all jobs. To qualify, a contractor must pass a rigorous examination and provide documentation that he meets requirements, such as financial statements, and obtain a contractor’s license bond. Be wary of non-licensed firms.
• Adequate Insurance—A homeowner could be held liable if the contractor is not insured, and someone, even the contractor’s employee, is injured at your home. A contactor should have liability coverage, Workers’ Compensation insurance (to cover lost wages), and auto insurance on the company’s trucks. Call to verify that the insurances are in place before hiring a contractor to protect against being held at fault in case something happens.
• Manufacturers’ Certifications—Manufactures of quality materials, like Owens-Corning, often offer meets standards special incentives, like extended warranties, to homeowners who use their products. After testing to ensure the quality of work done by Patriot meets high standards, Owens Corning provides an extra five-year of warranty.
• Better Business Bureau Accreditation (BBB)—An A+ rating—the highest possible, is the bureau’s gold standard. Patriot Roofing and Exteriors has this highest rating.. To earn the coveted mark, a company’s reviews, complaints against the company, if any, and other factors are taken into consideration. Patriot maintains a 4.63 (out of 5) ranking. BBB accreditation, which can be found at bbb.org, shows customers that a company operates honestly and with integrity.
• Online Reviews—How has this contractor performed on previous jobs? Unbiased reviews are one of the best ways to tell. Patriot Roofing and Exteriors’ reviews can be found on this website and the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org).
• How Much Will the Job Cost? What’s a fair price for your roofing or exterior job? It will depend largely on the materials you’ve selected, the contractor’s rate, and the size and condition of your roof repair or exterior work The type of roof to be installed—metal, wood or asphalt—also will affect the price. Get three quotes from established contractors and compare them. If one is out of line with the others, ask why.
Don’t hire a Chuck in a Truck hire a licensed, insured, qualified Stephanie in a Truck!