Lon Smith Roofing Austin is Texas' #1 Residential Roof Replacement company. We install more roofs on homes throughout the state of Texas than any other company. What this means to you as a consumer is that you’re working with a strong company that has a solid long term history of installing new high quality roofs at a fair price. Some of our customers have had us replace their roofs multiple times due to moving, hail damage, storms or wind. Read some of our testimonials from our customers to see why Lon Smith Roofing is the #1 Preferred Roofing Contractor in Texas.

When you begin your research for a roofing contractor, there are some important factors to keep in mind. It’s important to be properly prepared and educated before you start. The more you know, the more likely you are to choose Lon Smith Roofing Austin for your roofing project. Read our resume here for more background on Lon Smith Roofing.

How to Choose a Contractor for Your Protection: Check Reputation - Stability - Workmanship

"Over 1.1 Million Complaints and Lawsuits Were Filed Against Contractors Last Year Alone...Up 62%." The Wall Street Journal

When you select a contractor to replace your roof - follow these guidelines to ensure you hire a contractor who will do the job properly:

1.Bank Financial Stability & Character Letter: This document from the bank will show you the financial stability and the bank's judgment of character of the company you’re considering. Insist on seeing this letter so that you know that you’re dealing with a company that’s stable and financially sound.

2. General Liability Insurance Certificate - Not "Self-Insured": You need to verify that your contractor carries general liability insurance for both commercial and residential projects. A large contractor will carry no less than $500,000.... and usually more like $1,000,000 of coverage. If your contractor's insurance policy can’t cover potential damages, then the contractor would be personally liable. If he can’t cover the damages himself, you’ll have no legal recourse and will end up paying for the repairs or even a new roof yourself. Over three-fourths of roofing companies don’t carry proper insurance coverage to protect you against losses.

3. Supplier "LIEN WAIVER" Letter.... UP FRONT!: Some contractors might promise you a lien waiver letter, but you must insist that it be given to you UP FRONT, before the job begins.... and certainly before you make any payment. Very few contractors will be able to provide this ultimate level of consumer protection for you.

4. Arbitration Statement In Contract: Ask to see the arbitration statement in your contract. In case of a complaint, the roofer should agree to settle disputes through binding arbitration. Without this agreement, you have no recourse.

5. Current References: All reputable roofers carry a printed list of references.  The list should include customers from 1 to 5 years ago, as well as customers from the previous month. In addition, ask for suppliers, business references, etc. A roofer should be able to provide, on demand, a comprehensive list of ALL clients served for at least the last 5 years. It’s reasonable to expect a three year list of clients to contain at least 5,000 job references.

  6. There are Only 2 Circumstances Where You Should Give Cash in Advance.... And Only 2: Reputable roofing contractors should not need cash up front for 99% of all jobs. The only circumstances that would make it necessary are if your job requires special order non-returnable roofing materials, or if insurance does not cover your repairs and you have questionable credit. Be wary of contractors who ask for money up front, especially if your roof is made of standard wood, composition, or tile shingles. This is the #1 area of fraud among contractors.

7. Trade Association Certificates of Standing: Belonging to trade associations usually implies some quality and ethical integrity on the part of the contractor. Associations like the National Roofing Contractor Association and the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas are examples of common associations.

8. Art Certified Contractor Status Letter: A roofer should have a certificate stating that he is qualified according to certain standards, and have a list of what those standards are. It’s important to note that there is no national (or local) governing board.

9. Use Only Certified Installers On Your Roof:  A contractor may try to use his certification for his entire staff. Make sure every individual employee is certified. Think about it.... the person who really needs the certification is the installer doing the job, not necessarily the owner of the company. Ask to see your crew chief's certified installer's cards.

10. Compliance to Manufacturer Installation Guidelines: Ask for their certification for technical competency in using the product they are going to apply on your roof. There are several different types of roofs.... and not all contractors are proficient in all of them. Have your contractor produce his letter of certification saying that he has passed all technical requirements to properly install the product on your roof.

11. Quality Inspection Checklist and Walk through - Ask to see their Quality Inspection Checklist. A Certified Inspector should be provided at the end of the job to review the installation checklist. Make sure this walk through occurs prior to making any payment.

We hope this list will provide you with the knowledge you need to find the best contractor for your roofing project. Review our resume and customer testimonials to find out more about what sets Lon Smith Roofing Austin apart from the other roofing companies in Texas.