It's not exactly the home remodeling plan that homeowners expect, yet it's an important section of the home that needs attention.

But once we talk about choosing a roofing contractor, where do you start, and who can you trust? There are many horror stories about homeowners who had nightmarish experiences, and you don't want to be one of them.

Here are several things you should keep in mind as you begin your inquiry for a roofing contractor that is going to make your roofing plan pretty straightforward.

Cost, while certainly an importance, is not everything. The cheapest bid will not continually come from the best contractor. The old adage, "you get what you pay for," certainly applies to roofing contractors that work on a truck as a secondary trade. The cost may be convenient, however the quality is not going to be there. If your dream of having a cedar shake roof is shot down by a reputable roofing contractor who gives a bid that doesn't accommodate your budget, you're better off choosing a more cost-effective material and an outstanding contractor.

Choose a local contractor. This is your best chance to find a predetermined trade with a great reputation in the society and to communicate with old consumers and ask them about their experience. By the way, you should ask your probable roofing professionals for a list of references you get to call. Most roofing contractors will offer a guarantee. You want to make sure that your contractor is going to be around in 5 years to carry out with that warranty, which is another reason to insist on partnering with a local contractor with an established reputation.

Are you trying to find a roofing contractor right now because you just got hit with a huge storm? Beware of storm chasers: they're the ones knocking on your door looking for business, and they're not always going to be the most reliable contractors. Again, choose a reliable local contractor with a proven track record. Storm chasers are likely to want money up front before any work is completed or even started. Never disburse any money until the job is completed and all terms of your contract are met to your complete satisfaction.

An insured contractor is indispensable. Accidents happen, even with the top roofing contractors, so you should only consider those who remain bonded. Ask them to show you their certificates and contact the carrier to make sure your account is in good standing. As you make precedent checks, you can also ask for their tax ID number and business address and check that they are legitimate.