Get Quotes from Top Roofing Contractors in Phoenix, AZ
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor in Phoenix
Because of Phoenix's temperature swings, hot days in the summer and freezing nights in the winter, roofs in the city are more likely to degrade faster than their usual lifespan. Employing the skills of a professional roofing contractor who can do a quality and safe job in the shortest amount of time is the best option for general roofing, roof repair, or roof replacement services. However, before hiring a roofing contractor in Phoenix, you should always ask the following questions to ensure that you get the best professional for the job:
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in Phoenix?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Roofers in the City?
- Will You Get the Roofing Permits Required as per the Phoenix Building Code?
- What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Roofing Companies in Phoenix?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Roofer in Phoenix
Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in Phoenix?
It is critical to hire a fully licensed roofing contractor when looking for a professional for your roofing project in order to avoid breaking the law. Whether they are working in a commercial, residential, or dual capacity, roofing professionals must obtain a C-42, R-42, or CR-42 specialty roofing license to practice as a roofing contractor in Phoenix. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC), the body in charge of issuing contracting licenses in the State of Arizona, must be contacted to obtain any licenses.
The applicant must declare themselves to be a qualifying party in order to be considered for a license. They must pass the necessary exams with a score of at least 70 percent and meet or exceed the requirements for the roofing license for which they are applying. The Qualifying Party also needs to pass a particular trade exam and the AZ Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE) unless they qualify for a waiver.
Violations of contracting without a license are Class 1 misdemeanors, punishable by a maximum fine of $2,500 and a maximum jail sentence of six months. A first-time offender faces a minimum fine of $1,000 for contracting without a license. The typical penalty for an unlicensed contractor is a fine, but jail time may also be an option if the offender has a history of offenses or the circumstances are particularly heinous. To verify a roofing contractor's license in Phoenix, use the ROC contractor search platform.
To get more information about the roofing licensing in Phoenix, contact the Arizona Registrar of Contractors at:
Arizona ROC1700 West Washington Street
Suite 105
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2812
Phone: (602) 542-1525
How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Roofers in the City?
The size of your home, the type of roofing you have, the roof pitch, as well as the accessibility and complexity of the project all affect the cost of roofing in Phoenix. Again, the type of roofing project you are looking at will affect the final cost, as replacing your entire roof will cost more than simply mending a section. Working with a roofer who is able to offer you a price that suits your needs and budget while also comprehending your objectives and expectations is essential. You can determine the typical cost of your roofing project by requesting quotes from various roofing contractors. However, be wary of dishonest contractors who lure unsuspecting homeowners with noticeably lower quotes.
Roofers in Phoenix earn an average wage of $48,690 annually. The average hourly wages of roofers in Phoenix and those of roofers in other areas of Arizona, as well as other major cities in the country, are compared below:
Will You Get the Roofing Permits Required as per the Phoenix Building Code?
According to the Arizona Building Codes, most non-residential construction, new home construction, and renovations or additions to existing structures require a building permit in Phoenix. In order to ensure the safety of the structure, the permit is only granted when the structure is designed in accordance with the building codes and all other applicable codes and ordinances. A permit is required for the following types of roofing work: new roofing, re-roofing, and any other significant roof repairs. If you are switching from one type of roofing material, such as asphalt shingles, to another, such as concrete tiles, you will also need a permit. Roof coverings under 100 square feet are exempted from this rule.
For additional information on permits for roofing projects, contact the Phoenix Planning and Development Department at:
Phoenix City Hall200 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 262-7811
What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?
You should make sure that any roofer you hire is qualified to work on the specific type of roofing system you have and has the equipment required to perform the services you need. Different roofing systems are used by buildings in Phoenix, and each one has special characteristics that necessitate a certain level of expertise and specialized tools on the part of the roofer in order to ensure proper service delivery. Tile roofing, shingles roofing, foam roofing, commercial roofing, flat roofing, metal roofing, roof flashing, and rubber roofing are a few examples of typical roofing types in Phoenix.
Some of the city's roofing contractors might be experts in dealing with a particular style of roofing. Some people may specialize in one or more services, such as roofing remodeling, roofing maintenance, roofing repairs, and waterproofing. You can ensure that you hire the right expert for the job and lower the likelihood of any misunderstandings by asking a prospective roofing contractor what kinds of roofing services they offer before hiring them.
The approximate costs of a few roofing services that Phoenix property owners frequently ask for are listed below. Be aware that these costs could be impacted by factors like your location within the city and the reputation of the roofer you choose:
Estimates based on task:
Estimates based on roof pitch (per square feet):
Estimates for roof repair/replacement based on roofing material (per square feet):
Estimates for roof repair/replacement based on shape (per square feet):
Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Roofing Companies in Phoenix?
It is important to ensure the roofer you are considering hiring has the required insurance; otherwise, you risk being held liable for any accidents or other unpleasant circumstances that happen while they are working on your project.
No matter how many employees they have, whether they are full- or part-time, minors, immigrants, friends, or family members, roofing contractor employers in Phoenix are required by law to provide workers' compensation insurance. A roofing company must either provide a policy number or confirm that it has no employees and qualifies for one of the exemptions listed by the Industrial Commission of Arizona in order to submit an application for an Arizona contractor's license.
The roofer must also show proof of bond in order to perform roofing work in Phoenix. Commercial property insurance, commercial auto insurance, and general liability insurance with limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate on a standard policy are additional insurance policies roofing contractors may take to protect themselves adequately.
For more information on insurance requirements for roofing contractors in Phoenix, contact the Arizona Registrar of Contractors at:
Arizona ROC1700 West Washington Street
Suite 105
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2812
Phone: (602) 542-1525
You can also contact the Industrial Commission of Arizona at:
Arizona ICA800 W Washington Street,
Phoenix, AZ 85007,
Phone: (602) 542-5766, (602) 542-4661
How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Roofer in Phoenix
The progress of your Phoenix roofing project is heavily dependent on your selection of a proven and professional contractor to handle the job. Fraudsters and unscrupulous contractors defraud homeowners in Phoenix in a variety of ways, including demanding full advance payment, offering low bids and discounted repair offers, exaggerating the extent of damage, and providing sloppy work on purpose.
According to AZCentral, an online newspaper based in Phoenix, an unlicensed contractor was sentenced to six and a half years in prison in 2018 for stealing thousands of dollars through a roofing and pool-repair scam. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors and the Arizona Attorney General's Office launched an investigation in May 2016 after a homeowner paid the unlicensed contractor approximately $15,000 for roofing and pool repairs that were never completed. He faced seven felony counts, including fraud, identity theft, money laundering, forgery, and criminal impersonation, and pleaded guilty to one of them.
It is critical to understand the methods used by these fraudsters and how to avoid falling victim to their various ruses. Here are a few examples of roofing scams in the Phoenix area:
- Opportunistic Storm Scams: Scammers might identify an area that has been or is expected to be hit by a major storm and go door-to-door or distribute flyers advertising their services. They then do the bare minimum of work in order to pass a cursory inspection by the homeowner and receive payment. Because they travel from all over the country, they are usually long gone by the time the roof begins to fail, which is usually after a few years. Quality local businesses will perform work that will last 15 to 30 years and will offer a warranty on their services.
- Unnecessary Pressure: Any high-pressure sales pitch from a roofing contractor should get you worried. If someone tries to pressure you into signing a document without doing additional research, it is usually because they know they're providing a subpar service or price and don't want you to find out. An unethical roofing company may use high-pressure sales tactics, such as telling you that the price is only available for a limited time or demanding that you sign the contract right away. Always get multiple bids before signing with any roofing company to ensure you are getting the best deal.
- The Down Payment Scam: Some roofing companies may request a down payment to begin work, but once the check is received, they never return to complete the work. To avoid this scam, never pay a down payment until work has begun or materials have been delivered to the job site.
The following are ways to avoid getting scammed by roofing contractors in Phoenix, as recommended by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors:
- Avoid Door-to-door Salespeople: Door-to-door salespeople are rarely good news. Such may offer low-cost construction services to woo you into a scam. Also, you should never invite an unknown person into your home to discuss repairs or improvements. Tell them to leave a card under the doormat or in the door and to come back later to look at it. Before calling back, always check the name with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
- Do Your Research: Before hiring a contractor, always do your homework. Look for information about the contractor on websites such as the Better Business Bureau and the National Roofing Contractors Association. Continue to use search engines such as Google to conduct research on potential roofing contractors. Check the Registrar of Contractors' database to ensure the contractor is licensed.
- Request Several Bids or Estimates: Before beginning any project, it is critical that you obtain bids from a number of roofing contractors. These will provide you with an estimate of how much the entire project will cost. It is, however, insufficient to consult with several roofing contractors about a specific job you wish to undertake. You should also make certain that they are printed on company letterhead and contain clear contact information. Also, request references and follow up on them.
- Obtain a Written Contract from the Contractor: A contract legally protects you if your contractor breaches your original agreement or fails to provide the agreed-upon service. The contract must include all services to be provided, the contractor's license number, and the project's start and completion dates. Be wary if a contractor fails to include monetary figures in a contract. If only your deductible is shown, the contract is null and void. Ensure you thoroughly read the contract before putting your signature on it.
If you have been a victim of a roofing scam, please contact the Arizona Registrar of Contractors at (602) 542-1525 or (877) 692-9762 or visit their office at:
Arizona ROC1700 West Washington Street
Suite 105
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2812
You can also file a consumer complaint with the Office of the Attorney General of Arizona or call the office at (602) 542-5763.
Table of Contents
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in Phoenix?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Roofers in the City?
- Will You Get the Roofing Permits Required as per the Phoenix Building Code?
- What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Roofing Companies in Phoenix?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Roofer in Phoenix