In any industry, people claim to solve your problems and meet your needs, while they aren’t actually qualified at all to be providing you a service. Roofing service is no different, which is why you should always hire licensed roofing contractors.
There are plenty of amateurs and frauds advertising themselves as roofing professionals. Not only are these individuals acting immorally, but could potentially be dangerous.
The Risks of Hiring Non-Licensed Roofing Contractors
Poor workmanship
If you hire a handyman or an unlicensed contractor, there’s a good chance they won’t have all the experience or capability to deal with the roof’s problems and the service it needs.
Roofing contractors train, apprentice, and practice for years to get licensed. Someone who claims to know how to install/service your roof without going through the state’s requirements may not be trustworthy with the well-being of your roof and family’s safety.
No protection from a legally-binding contract
Any reputable licensed roofing contractor will provide you with legal documentation that carefully outlines their responsibilities. This includes the scope of the project, commitments, timeline, materials, insurance, and liabilities. All of your protections as a consumer is written into these contracts.
These roofing contracts will almost always include a clause called a “mechanic’s lien.” This protects the consumer from being responsible for the roofer’s unpaid bills. This is in case the roofer runs off with your money and doesn’t pay subcontractors or suppliers. Hiring a roofer without a contract is like entering a car without a seatbelt – you assume many unnecessary risks.
Liability
Chances are if someone is offering to install or service your roof at below market price, they will not have proper insurance. Licensed roofing contractors in Massachusetts are required to have insurance and this protects the homeowner from being responsible for financial liability – should the roofer damage your home or get injured on your property.
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Roofing Contractors in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is renowned for its uncompromising construction regulatory requirements. The state does its best to protect customers and people from shoddy workmanship, and unsafe construction practices.
Roofing contractors in Massachusetts must be licensed by the State Board of Building and Regulation and Standards (BBRS.) The BBRS provides roofing contractors with a Construction Supervisor’s License. To receive this certification and licensing a roofing contractor in Massachusetts must pass an exam, and prove at least three years of work experience.
Also, roofing contractors in Massachusetts need to apply for specific licensing related to their capability and scope of operation – this is either a Restricted License (one and two-family homes) or an Unrestricted License, which is good for structures up to 35,000 cubic feet.
To accompany these roofing licenses, the state always requires licensing from the Department of Labor and Workforce Develop for any work that requires interaction with dangerous asbestos to ensure proper treatment and removal.
You Always Get What You Pay For
The old saying is proven time and time again – you get what you pay for. Whether it’s roofing service, landscaping, or even the car wash – when costs are cut, the savings are typically at the sacrifice of quality, commitment, and reliability.
Roofing contractors in the state of Massachusetts are proud to offer some of the safest and most reliable work any contractor could provide. It’s not worth saving the money upfront to hire someone who could cause you and your home trouble and damage by being unprepared for the work.
Be a savvy consumer and protect yourself, your home, and family by only hiring licensed roofing contractors. It’s not worth the risk to go about roofing service and installation any other way.
Please reach out to us with any questions regarding our licensing, experience, or expertise as commercial and residential roofing contractors in Massachusetts.