Which Roofing Professional Do You Need: Roofer, Contractor, or Plumber?
When you need a roofing service, such as installing a new roof, who do you call? Searching online will give you results of roofing professionals calling themselves a roofing contractor, roofer, and even a roof plumber. You may think that they are all the same – until they start working on your roof.
You surely want to hire the best person for the job. Whether it is to repair or install a roof, you will find yourself with more than one option. And that’s where the confusion sets in. Which one should you hire? Roofers, contractors, plumbers, and even a roofing company all sound like the right choice. However, there is always a distinction. Depending on the person you’re talking to, you will discover specific differences you should know about before deciding to hire someone.
Do You Need a Roofer?
A roofer technically refers to someone who works with roofs. It’s a general term for a person whose main job is to fix a roof, which is actually what homeowners contact roofers for. But roofers can do more than just repairs on residential roofs. They are reliable in handling different types of roofing work.
Roofers are considered general contractors who work independently or can be a part of a roofing business. The problem with hiring one is that you can easily encounter a roofer who does not have a licence.
It’s a common occurrence where you hire a licenced roofer who will take an unlicensed roofer for assistance. This practice is allowed. However, it is not a good idea to hire an unlicensed roofer. When something goes wrong, you may not be able to make insurance claims because you hired an unqualified roofer.
You should never be tempted to hire a roofer with unbelievably cheap fees. Instead, ask for the driver’s licence and their roofer qualifications.
Should You Hire a Roofing Contractor?
A roofing contractor is easy to spot among the crowd. Contractors hold a government-given licence, which denotes that they are certified professionals with the right skills and training to work on your roof. Roofing contractors can do almost everything you need for your roof, including fixing and replacing an old roof, repairing drainage, and cleaning and maintenance.
In most cases, when you hire a contractor, you will deal with more than one person. That’s because roofing contractors rarely work on their own. Of course, some contractors prefer not to have a helping hand with them. Most contractors are a part of or employed by a roofing business. When you hire a contractor, you can be sure that you have trained people working on your roof, each with their roles and duties.
Typically, roofing contractors will subcontract the job, particularly when working on a large or complex project, such as commercial development.
Is a Roof Plumber More Suitable for You?
A roof plumber is probably the easiest one to understand. Plumbers generally work on gutters and flashings. You can contact a roof plumber to install or repair gutters, rainwater tanks, and other similar tasks.
But roof plumbers also know how to do roof sheeting and wall cladding. Many of these roof specialists understand technical diagrams, enabling them to work on roof drainage system installations. Commercial buildings typically hire a roof plumber, but residential roofing projects can also benefit from a roof plumber.
If you plan to have water tanks or already have one, you can reach out to a roof plumber who can help ensure that the tanks get the maximum amount of rainwater. The plumber knows how to determine the ideal pitch for your roof, as well as the size. That way, installing and using water tanks will be more cost-effective.
So, Which Roofing Professional Should You Hire?
Out of all the specialists mentioned, a roofing contractor is the best choice. Contractors are trained and skilled to work on roofs, including special cases and unique styles of roofs. You also do not have to be worried that you are dealing with a shady individual.
A roofing contractor has the necessary licence to back his credentials. This licence is government-issued, implying that the roof specialist completed a course and rigorous training. If you hire one, you should always ask to see their licence, which the contractor should be happy to show you.
Another good reason contractors are the ideal roof professionals to hire is that they often have assistants working with them. Every crew member knows their role, reassuring you that they can have the job done speedily and with great results.
Some contractors do refer to themselves as roofers mainly because most customers do not know the difference. Many people refer to contractors and any other roof experts as roofers. Whichever you hire, make sure that you only go for service providers with a licence. Unlicensed individuals will charge you less, but their inexpensive service is partly due to their inferior materials and unsupported labour skills. It’s certainly not worth the risk.
We have everything you need here at Perth Roofing & Gutters. Our licenced people ensure customers with exemplary results for roof repairs, replacement, gutter fixes, downpipe installations, and many more. Contact us to access expert service from the best roof professionals in Perth.