Vetting a Roofer? Suggestions

[Lokesh W.]

I am trying to put a new roof at an affordable cost to an apartment building. The roof area may be around 2200 – 2400 sq feet (just a guess, I can confirm later). The cost is a major factor so I am requesting various roofers to come over and take a look.

One of the roofers who cleaned the gutters said that it will cost approximately $25,000 but he said he has to look at this in more detail if I decide to put a new roof. When I asked him to give a detailed estimate (also mentioning that I am planning to get estimates from 2 other roofers), he sent over some other company roofer to look at it. This new roofer did not get back to me with an estimate.

I have been scheduling for roofers to come over and look at it last week. Two of them said they will get back to me this week with pictures and work proposal in PDF and they are yet to get back to me. I know they will this week.

Last week, a contractor was dropping off fliers about his services which included roofing. I asked him to take a look today. He gave an estimate of $11,800 verbally and said that for this kind of work, he needs an advance of $4000 to buy the materials. There is a huge difference in the first estimate and this one. He is licensed (I have his license number) and he said that get his business mostly by word of mouth and also the fliers that I received and also most of the people in his business are family (including the roofer who is his son-in-law). He has over 35 years of experience as a contractor.

I asked him to send a proposal and he sent the following email later this afternoon:

“the cost to do roof with doing east side and west side ,(except for west rear side), complete tearoff and redeck and reroof with dimensional shingles and peak roof vent system and new gutters (,no downspouts), in same areas. will b 11,800.00 will need 4000.00 deposit upon start , balance due upon completion. Can start on 7/14/14 will complete by 7/23/14 weather permitting.”

There are no testimonials on any website. Of Course, his detailed analysis and comments were on par with other roofers who visited this property. No ads in yellow pages, or anywhere else. No review on Angie’s List. Would you hire him? If you were to hire him, how would you do the vetting? Should I ask him for testimonials? Have you been in this situation before?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Robert Leonard]

@Lokesh W. what @Joe Fairless said!

I'll only add that when he shows you his insurance documents, call the insurance company and verify that his policy is in effect before you hire him.