Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

1/15/13 [RICO]

Protecting yourself from rain, wind and severe weather is an absolute must. The first step to making sure you get a good roof over your head is to hire a licensed contractor.

Licensed roofing contractors have the experience and training to get the job done right. Licensed contractors carry liability insurance in case anything happens on a jobsite, and are responsible for any injuries to their employees.

To find out if an individual or company is licensed to perform roofing work, or for information about prior complaints, call the Consumer Resource Center at 587-4272. You can also check with other agencies such as the Better Business Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, and trade associations. Licensing and prior complaint history is also available on our website at www.hawaii.gov/dcca/rico.

Lastly, before you sign a contract for the construction of a new roof, make sure you know how much it will cost, how long it will take, and what materials will be used. If the job comes with a warranty, get it in writing…a reputable roofing contractor’s warranty usually covers workmanship for a limited period of time. Roofing material warranties usually come from the manufacturer, so it’s important for a roofing contractor to follow the manufacturer’s directions for installation, so that he/she doesn’t accidentally void the warranty.

For more information on these and other topics, visit the State’s website at www.hawaii.gov/dcca/rico or call the Consumer Resource Center at 587-4272.