The Best Orange County Roofing Company is State Licensed
These days, it’s easier than ever for SoCal individuals and companies to find a roofing company. A quick Google search turns up literally hundreds of options in the area. So the problem isn’t just finding someone to fix your roof. The problem is ensuring that you’re using the best Orange County roofing company for your needs.
Obviously, there’s plenty to think about when it comes to shopping for a roofing contractor. But one of the top requirements on your list should be that your contractor is licensed with the State of California.
In fact, any company that doesn’t provide potential customers with a current, verifiable license number isn’t worth your time. Here’s why:
Not all licensed contractors are excellent at what they do, unfortunately. But to get a license in the State of California, roofers need to have at least some basic knowledge of roofing, how it works, and how to properly install and repair it. At minimum, a licensed roofer should understand safety requirements and other major concerns.
It’s true that some operators who work without a license - flying under the radar - have been in the business for years. They may be able to install a roof with their eyes closed. But when you hire an unlicensed roofing company, you’re taking a gamble that you’ll wind up with a completely green roofer with no idea what he’s doing.
2. Knowledge of current codes
The best Orange County roofing company will have an intimate knowledge of the ever-changing state and local codes. These codes are constantly being updated to reflect newer, better standards for safety and quality. Plus, in many situations, an inspector will have to check your home for code compliance - especially if you’ve got a mortgage company involved or you’re a business owner. You definitely don’t want to have to pay to have work re-done because it doesn’t meet the latest codes.
Licensed contractors will stay up-to-date on the latest code changes, so they’ll always do work that’s up to par with local inspectors.
3. Insurance
One of the primary reasons to check if a company’s license is current is for insurance purposes. The California State License Board website will let you search for a contractor by license number or by name. When you pull up a company, you can check if it has a current license, but you can also check to see if its insurance is current.
You want to be sure that a contractor is bonded, which means if they break something in your home, they have insurance to pay for it. And you definitely want to ensure that your contractor has workmen’s compensation coverage. Without this, you could be on the hook for medical expenses if one of the workers gets hurt on your property.
4. Playing by the rules
One reason to cross any non-licensed contractors off your list is that they’re clearly not playing by the rules. Yes, some people get away with operating for a time without a current license. And sometimes these are honest people who are just trying to get by without the overhead expenses of licensing. But, even then, they’re using illegal workarounds to get out of complying with important rules.
If a contractor is operating without a current license, don’t you have to wonder what else they’re fudging on? A contractor who refuses to comply with licensing requirements may refuse to comply with important codes that could help keep your home intact during an earthquake, for instance.
5. Complaint records
Finally, you can use license information to help you vet companies as you search for the best Orange County roofing company. The Contractors State License Board in California allows consumers to make complaints against licensed contractors. So you can search for a company to see any complaints that have been made against it recently.
The state license board complaints shouldn’t be your stopping point when searching for a company with a great customer service record. But they’re a great place to begin. At minimum, you can cross companies off your list if they’ve had excessive consumer complaints in the past year or two.
As you can see, when it comes to hiring the best Orange County roofing company, looking for a company with a current license is essential. It only takes a few minutes’ worth of extra work for you. Just go to the Contractors State License Board of California website, and type in the company’s license number (often provided on the website’s home page) or business name. It’s one extra step to take that could save you a lot of time, money, and headache down the road!
If you have any questions, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established Orange County roofer, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every residential roofing need and situation. Wherever and whenever you need roofing services in Orange or anywhere else in OC, you definitely can count on Luke Roofing.
Comments 1
Do roofers have to do ongoing education for licensing in California? I'm just curious about what it takes to get licensed because I've definitely heard of people going with licensed roofers who have a terrible experience.