Get Quotes from Top Roofing Contractors in Columbus, OH
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor in Columbus
Due to the severe weather and constant rain experienced in Columbus, roofs made of materials like copper and slate, which ordinarily last for more than seventy years, might not last as long. Whether you need new roofing, roof repair, or maintenance services, Columbus residents will get more value from a skilled professional roofing contractor who can complete the work in a timely manner while maintaining quality and safety. In any case, it is advantageous to confirm that the roofer you hire is duly licensed and insured. To make sure you hire the best expert for the job when in search of roofing contractors in Columbus, you should always ask the following questions:
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in Columbus?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Roofers in the City?
- Will You Get the Roofing Permits Required as per the Columbus Building Code?
- What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Roofing Companies in Columbus?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Roofer in Columbus
Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in Columbus?
The Department of Building and Zoning Services issues licenses and registrations to any contractor who wants to work inside the city per the Columbus City Code. Before purchasing permits and starting the job, all contractors performing work within the city must obtain the necessary license or registration. The goals of issuing such licenses are to provide minimum qualification requirements and ensure the safety and welfare of the general public and occupants of buildings within the city. To work in the City of Columbus, residential roofing contractors must have a home improvement contractor license, be it general or limited.
Applicants seeking a City of Columbus Home Improvement General Contractor license must successfully complete and pass the Ohio Home Improvement Contractor examination with a grade of not less than 70 percent. Additional requirements include having at least three full years of hands-on installation experience in the one-, two-, and three-family dwelling improvement fields.
Similarly, applicants must satisfy specific prerequisites for a City of Columbus Home Improvement Limited Contractor license. They must have at least a full year's worth of practical experience in the field. In lieu of that, the applicant for any Home Improvement license may be a registered design professional with experience and possess a valid certificate as an architect or engineer as permitted by the Ohio Revised Code. Alternatively, they may be a graduate architect or engineer with at least one full year of experience as a designer or installer in that particular field of work.
Operating as a roofing contractor without a license in Columbus can attract a fine of up to $1,000 per day per violation. To verify the license of your roofing contractor, use the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board license lookup. For additional information on getting a roofing contractor license in Columbus, contact the Building and Zoning Services at:
111 North Front StreetColumbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 645-7433
How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Roofers in the City?
The price of roofing in Columbus depends on a number of variables, including the size of your home and the complexity of the roofing project. Replacing your entire roof, for instance, will cost more money than merely repairing a part of an old roof. The kind of roofing material used for the project will also influence how much it costs in total. However, by requesting bids or quotes from at least three different roofing contractors in the city, you can get a good idea of the average cost of your roofing project. Watch out for bids or quotes that stand out significantly from the rest when you receive them because this is typically a sign that the contractor is dishonest or fraudulent.
Roofers in Columbus earn an average wage of $47,870 annually. The average hourly wages of roofers in Columbus and those of roofers in other areas of Ohio, as well as other major cities in the country, are compared below:
Will You Get the Roofing Permits Required as per the Columbus Building Code?
An appropriate permit must be obtained from the Building and Zoning Services before installing or replacing a roof in Columbus. To get permission that enables a homeowner or roofing contractor to start the roofing work outlined in their project plans and description, a Building Permit Application is required.
An application and any supporting documents, like the applicable building code that may be necessary for approval, are submitted at the start of the permitting process. Depending on the type of work being done, the plans are sent to different departments for review after the application has been submitted. The permit is issued, and work can start after each necessary review has been approved.
For more information on roofing permits and inspections in Columbus, contact the Building and Zoning Services at:
111 North Front StreetColumbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 645-7433
What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?
When selecting a roofer for your project, one thing to consider is whether or not they have experience with the type of roofing system you have. Additionally, ensure they have the equipment required to offer the service you need. Different roofing materials are used on Columbus buildings, and each one has special characteristics that necessitate a certain level of expertise and specialized equipment on the part of the roofer in order to ensure proper service delivery. Galvanized steel, galvalume steel, aluminum, zinc, copper, titanium, and stainless steel are a few examples of common roofing materials in Columbus.
Some Columbus roofing contractors may have specializations with specific types of roofing. Others may focus on providing services in particular areas, such as roofing repair, roofing replacement and installations, roofing maintenance and waterproofing, and roofing remodeling. To ensure that you hire the proper professional for your roofing project and avoid misunderstandings occurring during the project, always confirm the type of roofing services that a roofing contractor provides before hiring them.
Below are the estimated costs of some roofing services that are commonly requested by property owners in Columbus. It is worth noting that factors like your location within the city and the roofer's reputation may affect these costs:
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 Columbus?
If the roofer you are considering does not have the necessary insurance, you run the risk of being held responsible for any accidents or other unfavorable events that occur while they are working on your project. As such, it is crucial you ensure your intended roofer is fully insured.
A minimum of $300,000 in liability insurance should be provided by your intended Columbus roofing contractor before you hire them. Ensure they have worker's compensation if they have subordinates to be safe. If business-owned vehicles are involved in an accident, and one of the employees is hurt, having commercial auto insurance coverage would also prove helpful. Please contact the Ohio Department of Insurance at (614) 644-2658 for more details on insurance requirements for roofing contractors in Columbus.
How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Roofer in Columbus
Choosing to work with a reputable and experienced contractor to complete your roofing project will significantly impact its success. Con artists and dishonest contractors con homeowners in Columbus by requesting full upfront payment, providing low bids and discounted repair offers, exaggerating the extent of damage, or purposefully performing subpar work.
Local news outlet The Columbus Dispatch reported in 2014 that a man had been detained and charged with committing a roofing scam against unwary homeowners in Columbus and two other Ohio cities. The defendant received a four-year prison term and was ordered to reimburse the victims of the roofing fraud for more than $45,000. The following common scenarios are to be avoided at all costs if you do not want to become a victim of a roofing scam:
- Low Bids: If a Columbus roofing contractor gives you a quote that sounds too good to be true, It is most likely a scam. The contractor will likely claim that they get better prices on materials or that other contractors are overcharging to justify their astoundingly low quote. The contractor knows that as a consumer, you are conditioned to seize opportunities for discounts and sales and is hoping to get you with this scheme; do not fall for it.
- Storm Opportunism: Another scam to watch out for is one that occurs after a storm or other natural disaster. In this con, dishonest Columbus roofing contractors knock on your door after a major storm, eager to pressure you into signing a contract before you have time to investigate their reputations thoroughly. However, these Columbus roofing contractors will overcharge you for repairs and defraud your insurance provider if they are given the chance.
- Emotional Appeal: Another scam to be on the lookout for involves a dishonest contractor using a sympathy card to land the roofing job. This contractor will make an effort to convince you that they are not really in it to make money. They assure you that their markup on the roofing job is incredibly low. They want you to have enough faith in them that you will not question their pricing and eventually hire them out of sympathy. Although this contractor makes you believe that they will not get paid until the end of the project, they will overcharge you for materials and labor.
To avoid being duped by a roofing scam, you can also take certain personal precautions when hiring roofers in Columbus. These include:
- Review the Business and Look for Complaints: Professional roofing contractors in the area can be located online, through recommendations from dependable friends and family members, or through online directories like the Better Business Bureau and the National Roofing Contractors Association. Utilize these platforms to look up reviews and grievances made against the business. If your roof was damaged in a covered incident, ask your insurance provider for recommendations for roofing contractors.
- Do not Pay Full in Advance: Reputable contractors might ask for a down payment, but you shouldn't pay the balance until the job is finished. If you must make an advance payment, set it at a fair amount. Ten percent of the total cost is a reasonable down payment. If at all possible, avoid paying in cash. Also, instead of the contractor's name, make checks payable to the contractor's business.
- Obtain Several Price Quotes: Multiple bids give you a reasonable price range for your roofing project and, as such, help you avoid scammers who often offer really low quotes. Obtaining written estimates for the price of your roofing project is also crucial. Avoid making any verbal agreements.
- Request the Contractors' Credentials: Always check with the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board to verify the licensing status of any roofing contractor you intend to hire. Additionally, confirm with the appropriate insurance provider that your roofing contractor is fully insured.
If you have been the victim of a roofing contracting scam in Columbus, please contact the Ohio Attorney General's Office by lodging an online complaint or calling (800) 282-0515.
Table of Contents
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in Columbus?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Roofers in the City?
- Will You Get the Roofing Permits Required as per the Columbus Building Code?
- What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Roofing Companies in Columbus?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Roofer in Columbus