A reliable and skilled professional for roof repairs can help save you time and money! A licensed roofer brings in the right skills and guarantees that the job is done correctly. Look at facts like their expertise, insurance, and past work to make an educated choice.
Quality repairs help you stay away from leaks and extend the lifespan of your roof. The right choice can affect your home's safety and its value. You can work to protect your home better from dangers and weigh the rewards.
Let's talk about both so you can make the right choice.
Your roof isn't something that you ever want to cut any corners with - and working with unlicensed handymen could end up costing you quite a bit in the long run. One of my friends actually found this out when his handyman-repaired roof started leaking just a few months after the work was done. Because he had tried to save some money, he ended up with thousands of dollars in water damage.
Licensed roofers go through intensive and rigorous training before they ever start working on homes. They put in years learning about local building codes and safety guidelines, too.
Insurance coverage is something that homeowners can forget about. Licensed roofers also come with workers' comp and liability insurance to keep you protected. That means you won't be stuck paying medical bills or dealing with legal problems if someone happens to get hurt while fixing your roof.
Those warranties on roofing materials that last for decades? You'll lose them if someone without a license does the installation instead. Manufacturers need some kind of proof that qualified pros were the ones who installed their products.
Hidden damage isn't always obvious to the untrained eye. Licensed roofers know what storm damage looks like and where to find it. They'll find those sneaky problems that could turn into very expensive problems down the road.
Professional roofers buy reliable safety equipment and know the techniques to use it. They also understand that even one wrong move while on your roof could cause a very serious accident. Handymen are skilled at fixing things around your house.
However, your roof needs knowledge about water flow patterns and structural support. These things, when done wrong, could damage your home's structure. Insurance claims also need documentation and expertise.
Licensed roofers know their way around the claims process and will give you the paperwork you need. They'll make sure the insurance company covers storm damage, too. Licensed roofers might cost more money than handymen. But their repairs will last much longer and protect your home better. Just remember - trying to save some money now could force you to pay way more for fixes later.
You're taking a chance at some pretty big dangers by hiring an uninsured handyman for your roof repairs. A single slip off of a ladder will leave you with massive medical bills and legal problems. You'll be personally responsible for any injuries that happen on your own property. Most handymen only have some basic insurance that covers their tools and has minimal liability.
Licensed roofers have to carry at least $500,000 in liability coverage and workers' compensation insurance to protect you from expensive accidents. Your homeowner's insurance won't come to the rescue if something goes wrong with an unlicensed repair job. Insurance businesses will flat-out reject claims for damage caused by unlicensed work. They might even cancel your entire policy if they find out that the repairs weren't done by a qualified professional.
Those initial savings will end up costing you some big money down the road. Medical bills can shoot upward to as much as $50,000, and you're on the hook for every single dollar. Licensed roofers carry workers' compensation specifically to help you stay away from this sort of disaster.
Low-quality repairs will create water damage that wrecks your ceilings, walls, and personal belongings. A handyman's basic insurance probably won't cover these giant damages. Licensed roofers have coverage for new installations along with existing roof work. Their insurance protects you against leaks or other types of problems that can pop up later.
Safety dangers also extend past only the workers. A falling ladder might harm your neighbor or damage their property. Tools or materials can crash through windows or dent cars. You'll end up paying for these damages out of pocket without the right insurance. Licensed roofers carry coverage specifically for these types of accidents.
Your insurance coverage is in danger when you hire an unlicensed handyman for any roof repairs.
Insurance businesses will probably deny your claims after discovering that unlicensed workers did the repairs. This puts your finances in serious jeopardy.
Unlicensed workers create more problems than just denied insurance claims. You might also run into fines from your local government for breaking contractor licensing laws. There's a big chance your insurance company will completely cancel your policy in response. If an unlicensed handyman gets hurt on your roof, you're on the hook for their medical costs and their lost income.
Your homeowner's insurance won't step in to protect you during these situations. Professional licensed roofers carry workers' compensation and liability insurance to keep everyone safe. They also know about local building codes and get the right permits to keep your insurance coverage valid.
A clear example shows what can happen. Sarah from Portland trusted an unlicensed handyman to fix a small roof leak. The substandard repairs caused serious water damage, and her insurance company refused to pay the $15,000 claim because she used unlicensed labor.
Most states set strict restrictions on who can work on roofs. For any roofing job over $500, you'll probably need a licensed contractor, according to the law. Licensed roofers go through training and hard exams to get their credentials.
Their strong knowledge of installation methods and safety practices helps you stay away from expensive mistakes that can pop up with unlicensed repairs. Handymen should only manage small maintenance tasks under this amount. Poor workmanship can leave you with dangerous structural problems later on.
Water that enters through poorly done repairs will probably cause harmful mold and rotting wood. These problems only get worse without attention.
A big choice is waiting for you when your roof needs some fixing. When you hire a handyman, it might feel like a way to save some cash - especially because they can charge way less than licensed roofers, sometimes as little as $50 an hour.
Here's a real story about my neighbor that'll open your eyes. He thought he was saving money by paying a handyman just $200 to fix a small leak last summer. Then the rain started, and water came pouring in everywhere.
Licensed roofers spend years mastering the different materials and methods they need. They know how water moves across your roof. They can find hidden problems that could turn into disasters later on.
Handymen can be good at fixing items around your house, too. But that's a whole different ball game. Just one misplaced nail or the wrong material choice from an inexperienced worker could harm your home down the road.
Insurance is another thing you need to remember. Licensed roofers come completely covered with workers' comp and liability insurance to protect you and your property. No stress - you're covered. With handymen, you're taking a giant danger because they usually don't carry this protection.
That cheap handyman repair could end up costing you big. What started as a $200 fix might turn into thousands in water damage, mold cleanup, or a completely new roof. Your insurance company probably won't help if unlicensed workers did that job.
Professional roofers also give you access to quality materials at better prices. They know which products will work for your situation. They get good deals through their supplier connections. Handymen usually pay full retail prices and might cut corners with cheaper materials to keep the costs low.
When you work up on a roof, it's one of the riskiest home repairs you'll ever need to help with. You could be looking at a deadly fall with just one wrong step, and the bad weather makes everything even more dangerous. Even professional roofers put their lives on the line every single time they climb up there.
I'll never forget watching a scary close call last summer. A handyman almost fell three stories when he slipped on some loose gravel. He wasn't wearing any safety equipment at all. That single second showed me why the safety gear makes a real difference.
Professional roofers take a few extra steps because they know what's at stake. You can see them wearing non-slip boots and safety harnesses attached to anchor points. They also set up some guardrails around the roof edges to stay protected from dangerous falls. They learn how to manage heavy materials and power tools when they're up high.
Your licensed roofing company spends the money on training their workers to stay safe while they work. Handymen often skip these safety measures to cut costs and save money.
The weather can turn your roofing job into a hazardous location in just a few minutes. Rain makes everything slippery, and it gives even the experts a hard time staying steady. Strong winds pack enough force to knock you right off your feet - especially true when you're carrying those heavy shingle bundles.
A difference between pros and handymen is the insurance coverage. Licensed roofers come prepared with workers' compensation insurance for on-the-job injuries. Most handymen work without this protection. That means you could end up paying their medical bills if something happens.
Quality safety equipment costs serious money. But you need it for all roof work. Professional roofers show up with hard hats and safety glasses, work gloves, and fall protection systems because this equipment keeps them safe from common hazards like falling objects, sharp tools, and deadly falls.
Extreme weather events are now hitting your home harder than ever before, and they're creating perfect conditions for roofing scams. Scammers will often show up right at your door after the storms hit - they promise some easy deals and quick repairs. These sneaky "storm chasers" grab your money and then disappear, leaving you with poor-quality work that'll cause even more problems later on.
Your judgment might get a little cloudy when you have a damaged roof (especially if water is dripping through your ceiling). You might even feel tempted to hire the first person who shows up with a ladder and has to help.
Take a deep breath - rushing into repairs could cause bigger problems for you later. Supply chain problems are making everything harder for you, too. This frustrating situation makes those quick fixes from random handymen seem way more interesting than they should.
Insurance problems are also giving homeowners some serious challenges in the roofing world. Recent changes in laws about partial roof replacements have left everyone confused about what insurance will actually pay for. Shady handymen love to take advantage of all this confusion. They tell you stories about insurance coverage that just aren't true.
An unlicensed handyman puts you in danger in ways you might not even realize. Most handymen don't have insurance, so you would be on the hook if someone happened to get hurt while working on your roof. They also usually don't have enough expertise to find those hidden problems that could turn into expensive nightmares down the road.
Licensed roofers cost more, but they provide real protection for you and your home. Their insurance keeps you safe from liability problems. They also know the local building codes and always get permits.
Most of them will fix any problems that pop up later on. Your roofing options have to face challenges from every direction. Materials are hard to find, and repairs are taking forever. Mother Nature is testing the limits of your home while scammers get even craftier at targeting vulnerable homeowners.
Your home and your family deserve roof repairs. Homeowners will often try to save a little bit of money by cutting some corners or going with just the cheapest option. But that can sometimes cause some bigger and more expensive problems later on.
The biggest consideration for your roof is whether to prioritize the lowest price or make sure that everything is done correctly right from the start. Licensed pros will give you reliable repairs that help to protect your home for the years to come.
You'll often get strong warranties and added security as well. The next time you find an issue with your roof, take the time to do some research. Look up customer reviews, check references, and make sure that you feel confident about the way the company communicates with you and works with your problems.
At Colony Roofers, we're experts in commercial and residential roofing across Georgia, Florida, and Texas. Let our team work to protect your investment with professional repairs you'll trust. We'll give you a free inspection so you can choose what your roof needs. Our experts are here to give you advice and authoritative repair or installation work.
Contact us so we can help to get your roof completely taken care of - the first time!