Not known Facts About roof repairs
The roof on your home or business is the first line of defense when it comes to protecting your real estate property investment! Roofs are generally the most expensive single item that property owners will replace. It is often difficult to know which roofer to hire for the job when it's time to have a new roofing system installed! Homeowners should be skeptical of hiring their roofer based on price alone. When hiring a roofer, you generally will get exactly what you pay for! Because they provided the lowest bid may result in a poor quality roof that may leak and diminish the curb appeal of your home, hiring a roofer solely.
Hiring a roofer can be confusing, but property owners can be confident that they are hiring the absolute best roofer for their specific roofing needs by following a few important steps.
ROOFERS WITH EXPERIENCE IN YOUR SPECIFIC TYPE OF ROOFING SYSTEM
There are numerous roofing contractors in your area. However, not all roofing contractors are experienced in your specific type of roofing system. Residential roofers should be certified with GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, IKO, and Atlas Roofing. A commercial roof contractor should be skilled in all types of flat roofing and certified with various commercial roofing manufacturers such as Carlisle Syntec, Sika Sarnafil, GAF, Versico, and MuleHide. Ask the roofing contractor you are considering if they have experience in installing the exact type of roof that you want installed. Be specific in addressing this question. For instance, if you are interested in installing a metal shake tile roof, ask the roofer if they have actually installed a metal shake tile roof and not just a metal roof. Roofing systems can be very different in their preparation and installation requirements. The same applies for heavy designer shingles, TPO roofs, slate roofs, tile roofs, or any other type of roof. You want to hire a roofer with hands on experience in installing the specific type of roofing system that you want installed on your home or business!
KNOWLEDGEABLE IN ROOFING CONSTRUCTION
Sadly, not all roofing companies are knowledgeable in roofing construction. In today's market, the roofing industry can be lucrative and attracts individuals who are savvy at marketing and interested in owning a profitable business but they are not necessarily knowledgeable in roofing construction. Be specific when hiring a roofing company and ask questions like:
Are they up to date on current codes and building requirements
Are they certified with the roofing manufacturer for your specific roof
Have they inspected your current ventilation system
Did they discuss ventilation options or improvements
Have they inspected your roof decking
Did they advise you of potential rotten wood that may not be visible
Do you have space decking that will need to be re-decked
Will they be using actual starter strip and ridge cap
Do they replace all pipe jacks and roof accessories
Will they be removing the starting and existing shingles with a clean roof deck
ARE THEY MEMBERS OF THE BBB WITH A SOLID RATING
Be sure and contact the Better Business Bureau and ensure that the roofing contractor has an A+ rating! It is crucial to work with a roofer who is committed to customer service and treating customers fairly! If the roofer you are considering has an A+ rating with the BBB you can be confident that they will work hard to install an excellent quality roof that meets or exceeds your expectations.
CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE AND PORTFOLIO
Today's roofing contractors are very aware that the world has gone digital and consumers want to see examples of their work online! Ask if they have a website and take the time to check out their credentials! A professional website will give you detailed information on the many services and qualifications that the roofer holds as well as a portfolio that will show you various examples of their work! A roofer who doesn't have a website in today's roofing industry market is not a top roofer in your area!
CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS AND REFERRALS
Look online for customer reviews through sites like Google and Yelp! If a customer takes the time to post a review then you can be assured that the roofer you are considering will provide you with a quality roofing system! Go to their website and see if they have a customer testimonial section! Any reputable roofer will have an area of their website dedicated to customer reviews. Last but not least, you can always ask them for a list of past customers who you may contact for a referral. If you speak with a roofer who can not provide you with a list of customer referrals and does not have multiple positive reviews posted online, our advice would be to run and find a more qualified and reputable roofing company!
NEVER PAY UPFRONT FOR A ROOF INSTALLATION
Every year we hear sad stories of individuals who have been conned by individuals posing as a local roofing contractor in their area. Sometimes these cons actually were roofers who took the money and ran! , if your roof is being replaced as part of an insurance claim we never collect any money until the roof is actually installed.. If your roof is being replaced as a cash estimate, then you should have a very nominal down payment that must be made in order to secure the contract. Payment is never given until the roof is installed and you are a happy customer!
FREE ROOF INSPECTIONS AND ESTIMATES
A professional roofing contractor will happily provide you with a free roof inspection and make a professional recommendation on the best way to address your specific roofing needs. If your roof can be repaired and still provide you the protection your building needs, a reputable roofing company will always tell you that! If a full roof replacement is in order, they should also website advise you of the best solution that fits your specific needs and budget.
Installing a new roof can instantly transform your home or business and add value to your home. Don't let just anyone tackle this important job that can dramatically impact the curb appeal of your property, and more importantly diminish the most important layer of protection for your property! Your roof is a critical component of your home's structure and it is critical that you hire a roofing expert to tackle this important repair!
Always take time and do your research when searching for local roofing contractors to replace you roof! A little time invested will pay off greatly in ensuring that you actually receive a quality roofing product installed at a fair price!
The pitch of the roof is a measurement of how steep the roof is which determines how quickly the water will run off of the roof. Flat roofs are roofs with zero pitch or with pitches so low that the water runs off too slowly for overlapped type of roofing materials to successfully shed water. In the last twenty years or so, many new types of flat roof systems have been developed, including plastic, rubber and modified bitumen roof materials. If you are interested in installing a metal shake tile roof, ask the roofer if they have actually installed a metal shake tile roof and not just a metal roof. The same applies for heavy designer shingles, TPO roofs, slate roofs, tile roofs, or any other type of roof.