Doing roofing work or cleaning your gutters is a dangerous job. In fact, 100,000 emergency room visits happen every year as a result of falling off a ladder, according to gutterscincinnati.com. You can avoid hurting yourself by hiring a professional roof installation company, but not just any company. Here are five factors to consider when choosing a roofing company.

Get Recommendations

When considering roofing companies, always ask for recommendations. Recommendations from friends, neighbors, or co-workers who have worked with a roofing company are the right types of recommendations. If you get a recommendation from a neighbor who had their roof worked on a few years ago, you can also see the quality of the work that company does and how well it's holding up by looking at your neighbor's roof.

Check the Better Business Bureau

The better business bureau (or BBB) should have the roofing company that you are considering listed on its site. If they are not listed on the BBB website, it's a red flag and you cannot be sure you can trust them. You can also check websites like Angie's List or Yelp for online reviews.

Ask for Proof of Insurance

If you're talking to a roofing service that can't provide proof of insurance or that they are licensed, you definitely should not hire them. If any accidents happen, you want to be able to rest assured knowing that the roofing company has liability and workers compensation insurance and you will not be responsible. Always make sure the roofing companies you are considering are insured and licensed.

Get an Estimate

Verbal promises mean nothing when it comes to estimates. A reliable contractor will always provide a written estimate before starting any work. If they cannot give you a written estimate, it's a big red flag.

Get a Warranty

No one wants to have to repay for roofing services that weren't done correctly the first time. This is why you want to make sure the roofers you choose offer a warranty. With a warranty, you can get work redone at no extra cost even if it is months down the road.

Choosing between the right roofing companies can be simple. Next time you require a professional roofing company, remember these five factors to consider.