Your roof is the protector of your home. You can’t afford to let just any roof cleaning company handle that investment.

It’s true the internet has made it easier than ever for homeowners to tackle some of their own repairs and home maintenance. Roof cleaning, however, isn’t one of them.

It’s worth taking the time to find a reputable roof cleaning company that can keep your roof looking (and functioning) like new. Best of all, it saves you the time and risk of doing it yourself.

Before you hire a roof cleaning company, make sure they can correctly answer these seven questions:

#1 – Is Your Roof Cleaning Company Insured?

This is perhaps the most important question you can ask. Having any type of professional work done on your home puts YOU at risk.

Your roof cleaning company should carry their own insurance that removes the liability from you. If one of the employees were to become injured (or worse) while working on your roof, the company’s insurance would cover the expenses.

Without insurance, you would have to foot the bill in the event of an injury, death, or damage to your home.

#2 – How Long Have You Been in Business?

While it’s not necessarily a deal breaker to hire a new company, choosing a trusted company that’s been in business for years has its benefits.

For starters, you know they’re experienced. They’ve already built enough of a following to have stayed in business in the area.

A shoddy roof cleaning company wouldn’t survive long, especially now that the internet can tell you everything you need to know about a business’s reputation.

One other benefit is that an established company isn’t likely to disappear after they finish the job. Knowing this can give you more peace of mind that choosing a brand new roof cleaning company.

#3 – Can You Provide References?

Good roof cleaning companies will have satisfied customers who would recommend them to others. If your selected company can provide these references, they’re probably the real deal.

Don’t just ask for references. When they provide them to you, make sure you contact these references and get details about their experience.

Ask them if they were satisfied with the end result. Find out how professional the company acted. See if they remained true to whatever promises they made.

Most importantly, ask each reference how they know the company.

Contacting references for yourself can help you verify if these references are valid, or if the company simply gave you the name of a family member or friend.

#4 – What Does the Quote Include?

When you request a quote, the company may simply give you a dollar amount. But what exactly does that figure include?

All roof cleaning companies are different. Some may charge according to size, while others may offer additional services as add-ons. Regardless of what you’re paying, you need to know what you’re paying for.

Ask the company to spell out their terms in a contract and give you a copy. This way, you know what you’re getting ahead of time and can hold them to their end of the deal.

Also, be wary of companies who will give a quote over the phone without looking at your roof.

Often times, these quotes will be loosely based on the square footage of your home. They don’t always account for the age of the roof, type of roof, roof height, overall dirtiness, and other factors. These things could send the cost upwards once they arrive to do the job.

#5 – What Techniques Do You Use?

There’s more than one way to clean a roof. Some techniques for roof cleaning are not as effective or safe for your roof as others.

For example, many roof cleaning companies will use a pressure washer because it’s easy and gives noticeable results.

Unfortunately, pressure washers can severely damage your roof if not used correctly or without the proper tools.

Knowing how the roofers will be cleaning your roof should be a make-or-break factor when choosing a company.

Ideally, your company will use soft pressure washing for roof cleaning. This technique is about as strong as using a garden hose and won’t damage your shingles.

This technique, combined with a gentle detergent, is excellent for removing dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and fungus. As a result, you’ll have a sparkling roof that’s not only clean but also intact when the cleaning crew is finished.

#6 – What Happens if I’m Not Satisfied with Your Work?

All too often homeowners pay for a service without any form of satisfaction guarantee. Without this, you may be stuck paying for a poorly done job.

It’s acceptable to ask your roof cleaning company what kind of guarantee they offer. A guarantee will show the company’s confidence that you’ll be completely satisfied with their work.

In addition, it’s also a good idea to ask how long their guarantee lasts. Some companies may only give you 30 days to request touchups or redos. Others may offer a year or two warranty on their work.

#7 – How Can I Find You Online?

Aside from revisiting the classified ad where you found the company, it’s smart to search other online resources to find out other information about them. Don’t just limit yourself to browsing their website, as this is where they’re sure to put their best foot forward.

Check Google reviews, social media, and sites like Angie’s List to get the scoop before you make a hire. Seeing what other people have to say will give you both the good and the bad to help you make an educated decision.

In Closing

Keep in mind that the lowest priced company won’t always be the lowest cost for the homeowner. A cheap company may not do as well a job as a company who charges a little more. In this case, it could be worth it to spend a little more to get the job done right.

Make sure you get a few quotes from different companies and compare them before you hire.

For more great tips and tricks on how to keep your home in tiptop shape, visit our blog.