The High Cost of Cheap Labor: Why Insurance is Non-Negotiable
-
Let’s have a frank conversation about risk versus reward. When you hire a contractor, you are inviting heavy machinery, 40-foot ladders, open flames, and heavy bundles of materials onto your property. If that contractor is not properly insured, you are essentially gambling with your financial future to save a few hundred dollars on the bid. DISCOUNTED ROOFING LLC wants to remove the blindfold. The difference in price between a legitimate, insured company and an uninsured "fly-by-night" operator is often the cost of the insurance premium itself. If you hire the cheaper option, you are the one picking up the tab for that risk.
When evaluating Philadelphia Roofing Contractors, you must understand the legal concept of "vicarious liability." In the eyes of the law, if you hire an individual who does not carry their own Worker's Compensation insurance, you can be classified as their employer for the duration of the project. If they fall off your roof and suffer a catastrophic injury—a spinal injury or worse—their lawyer will not sue the contractor (who likely has no assets). They will sue you. Your homeowner's insurance policy often has specific exclusions for unlicensed or uninsured contract work, meaning you could be facing medical bills and legal fees that ruin your retirement savings. We carry robust Worker's Compensation to ensure that our team is protected, and by extension, you are bulletproof against these claims.
General Liability is the second shield you need to verify. Roofing involves stripping away the water barrier of your home, often leaving it vulnerable for hours or days. If a sudden storm hits while the roof is open and the contractor hasn't secured the site properly, water damage can destroy your insulation, drywall, and furniture.
An insured professional has a policy that covers "completed operations" and property damage. If we make a mistake (though we strive for perfection), our insurance makes you whole. An uninsured contractor has no safety net. If they ruin your ceiling or drop a hammer through your windshield, they simply disappear, leaving you with the mess and the bill.
Don't be seduced by the lowest number on the bid sheet. That number is low because it is stripping away your protection. Demand to see the Certificate of Insurance (COI). Verify the dates. Call the agent. It is the only way to ensure that your roofing project doesn't turn into a legal nightmare.
To work with a team that fully indemnifies and protects you, contact DISCOUNTED ROOFING LLC today.