| Need a new roof? If your living room or kitchen | | | | hands-on help with building projects. Occasionally |
| sports large buckets for catching rainy drips, the | | | | the store might sponsor a workshop or seminar |
| answer is probably "yes." Assuming that you are | | | | featuring one of these experts. Attending a |
| unable or willing to replace it yourself, you will be | | | | session may give you a better idea of the |
| looking for a reputable roofing contractor to | | | | roofer's credentials. |
| handle the job for you. The question then | | | | 5. Browse online websites. Building companies and |
| becomes, how do you find a dependable roofer? | | | | contractors as well as independent roofers are |
| The answer may not be as hard as you think. | | | | increasingly advertising their skills on the Web by |
| Here are a few possibilities to consider: | | | | hosting a website. Some offer free newsletter |
| 1. Check the telephone directory's yellow pages. | | | | sign-ups or updated FAQ's that help to answer |
| Browse the section called "roofing" for the names | | | | visitors' questions. |
| of local persons you can call for an estimate. | | | | 6. Ask for referrals. Wherever you get the name |
| Sometimes the ads will reveal key information | | | | of a possible roofer for your project, ask for |
| about the person, such as location, hours of | | | | referral letters from clients, and then follow up by |
| operation, and specialty areas. You also might find | | | | contacting these people. You may even want to |
| out whether the person accepts credit card | | | | take a glance at the workmanship. |
| payments, and whether he or she provides free | | | | 7. Pay in portions. Never pay for a roofing job (or |
| estimates. Call two or three names, at least, for | | | | any type of home construction or remodeling |
| an idea of available contractors. | | | | project) up front. You can pay a third or a fourth |
| 2. Contact the Better Business Bureau. While this | | | | as a down payment if you really want to, but |
| organization will not provide a list of names for | | | | make an agreement to collect partial payments in |
| you to call, it can give you an indication of | | | | two or three intervals. Get a written estimate |
| someone's response to complaints so that you | | | | first, and if the person does not follow this or |
| get an idea of his or her character and reputation. | | | | tries to change the terms of your agreement, |
| 3. Locate roofer-related organizations. There may | | | | report him to the Better Business Bureau or local |
| be a roofers' group or construction companies | | | | authorities. |
| that can tell you what to look for in a roofing | | | | Having your roof done is an important job. Don't |
| contractor, and perhaps recommend a few local | | | | let just anyone tamper with your roof. It is an |
| names. | | | | important part of your home's structure, and only |
| 4. Ask local home building supply stores. Often | | | | an expert should tackle needed repairs and |
| they keep a list of specialists they recommend to | | | | updates. For more information, contact your local |
| area folks who are looking for consulting or | | | | Chamber of Commerce or building supply store. |