Here's something most roofing companies don't want you to know: the salesperson who sold you the job may have nothing to do with the crew that shows up at your house.

The Subcontractor Problem A large percentage of roofing contractors in West Michigan and across the country use subcontracted labor. They win the bid, then farm the work out to a rotating pool of third-party crews.

This creates several serious problems:

1. No Accountability — If something goes wrong, your contractor may blame the subcontractor. Good luck getting anyone to take responsibility.

2. Warranty Risk — Some manufacturer warranties require installation by the company's own trained employees. Subcontractor work can void your warranty without you knowing it.

3. Safety and Insurance — Are those workers on your roof actually covered by the contractor's insurance? If a subcontractor gets hurt on your property, you could face liability.

4. Quality Control — The contractor can't ensure consistent quality if different crews show up on every job.

5. Strangers on Your Property — You didn't vet these workers. You don't know who they are or if they've been background-checked.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire

• 'Are the workers who will be on my roof your employees?' (Not subcontractors)
• 'Can I see proof of workers' compensation and liability insurance?'
• 'Who specifically will be managing my project?'

The Grandville Difference Grandville Roofing & Exteriors uses only our own trained, employee crew — never subcontractors. Every person on your roof is vetted, insured, and accountable to us. That's the employee-owned difference.