A new roof is expensive, and many homeowners, facing both sticker shock and the knowledge that they need a new roof, may be looking to cut costs. In some cases, a well-meaning friend, neighbor, or family member may offer their amateur services, or suggest a roofer who operates “under the table”. These “roofers” don’t make roofing their business, so they are far less likely to have insurance. The cost may be considerably lower, but hiring an insured roofer is highly recommended.
What is the Benefit of an Insured Roofer?
First of all, an insured roofer is one who considers protecting both their clients and their employees a high priority. They understand the dangers of new roof installation and will take the steps to keep their employees safe, but they also know that if something were to go wrong, insurance will protect their clients as well. Property damage can happen during home improvements, and an insured roofer will make sure that you, as the homeowner, are not responsible for this damage. More importantly, if someone were to injure themselves on your property, you can, and likely will, be held financially responsible. Finally, an insured roofer is more likely to have the experience and equipment to do the job right, not simply the basic idea of how to complete the job as that friend or family member may boast.
What Kind of Insurance Should Your Roofer Carry?
- Worker’s Compensation Insurance will protect any of the installers who may have an accidental injury while on your property. The insurance will cover their medical bills and any other compensation needed without you as the homeowner being held responsible.
- Liability Insurance to cover any mistakes during installation or damages to your property. If the roofer covers liability insurance, you will not be liable for the costs of fixing these mishaps. A new roof installation could possibly damage your chimney, gutters, or siding, and the liability insurance your roofer carries will cover those repairs.
What is the Risk to Using Someone Uninsured for Your New Roof?
You may think that the risk of using someone uninsured for your new roof is low. Roofing accidents are rare, especially if the friend or family member you are considering says they have the experience to do the job. However, this is not necessarily true. Roofing is one of the most dangerous home improvement jobs out there. Things can – and do – go wrong during many home improvement projects, and when you are hiring someone who has not made roofing their full-time career, the risk is even higher. If they go wrong on your property during your new roof installation, you, as the homeowner, will be held legally and financially liable for any bills for medical treatment or property damage. Professional roofing companies have extensive experience, the right equipment and training, safety protocols, and the safety net of insurance in case things go wrong. A professional roofing company will want to protect both you and their employees.
The risk of having an uninsured, inexperienced worker on your roof is much too high to be worth any potential savings. An insured roofer has the experience and dedication you want, and will value their reputation far too much to take any risks on your property. Leave your roofing job to the specialists at Armorvue Home Exteriors. We might make roofing look easy, but that’s only because we’ve dedicated a lot of time, effort, and continued training to become experts at what we do. Contact us today for a virtual appointment.
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