5 Things You Need to Do Before Installing a New Roof
Roofs have a tendency to degrade, lose shingles, or leak over time. It’s just part of the normal wear on your house as it ages. Repairing and upgrading your roof is a fantastic way to not only protect your home but also to increase its value and curb appeal. There are a few essential components to installing a new roof, including finding the right installation team and selecting the ideal roof for your home that’s both functional and attractive. Here’s a quick guide to a few things you should do before installing a new roof on your home.
Decide on roof type and materials
Despite a fool-proof, high-quality installation, a roof is only as good as the quality of its materials. That’s why cultivating a range of replacement roof materials is in any homeowner’s best interest. Decide if you want a metal or asphalt roof, clay tile, additional leak protection, new vents, replacement gutters, PVC, or any kind of special roofing. Research and discuss the benefits of each with your roofer to determine what’s best for your home. Whether you decide to go with metal shingles, standing seam metal roofing, an asphalt composite, or membrane roofing, you’re certain to find something to fit the architecture of your home.
Get a cost estimate
A legitimate roofer will draw up a proposal and cost estimate outlining a timetable, materials, final costs, payment methods, and clean-up. Carefully inspecting the document before signing is the best way to ensure a smooth re-roofing project. The cost estimate provides key details that will help define your budget, while the proposal will finalize each aspect of the job. Proposals can vary in length, but become the basis for the eventual contract you’ll sign with the roofer to complete your project.
Prepare the interior and exterior for the installation
When replacing, renovating, or upgrading your roof, there are a few things you should do to prepare. Roof work is a noisy process. So, on the exterior side of things, make sure you inform your neighbors of your roof replacement and approximately how long it’s going to take. Be sure to clear out/cover any lawn decorations, patio furniture, or any exterior fixtures that may be in the roofers’ way or become damaged during the renovation. Don’t forget to move your vehicles to a safe location, too! Finally, ensure your roofers have access to some kind of outdoor outlet to power their tools. On the inside, cover or remove stuff stored in your attic so it doesn’t get damaged during the re-roofing. It’s also a good idea to remove wall decorations and consider how the noise may affect your children or pets.
Work with a professional roofer
Working with a professional roofer offers significant advantages over doing a roof install yourself, especially if the roofer is local. Local roofers should know their way around local permit requirements and be able to expertly navigate any materials acquisition or other necessary components of the job. There are a few ways to find an excellent professional roofer. Some companies may provide referrals or suggestions. But the simplest method is going online and searching for “the best and top-rated roofers near me.” This quick search should supply a detailed list of the highest-quality roofers in your area and allow you to begin building a pool of potential contractors. Once you’ve selected a few roofers you’d like to interview, start checking out their online reviews. Look for key points—such as negative customer service, poor installation, lackluster materials, and so on—that may be mentioned in the reviews. It’s best to thoroughly read and disseminate the information and make notes about anything you’d like to ask the roofer when you interview them. Professional roofers should also be licensed and hold liability insurance. If they don’t, it’s a significant red flag that can cause you future problems should you decide to hire them anyway. Finally, asking a roofer you’re interested in hiring about a portfolio of previous work will help you decide if they’re right for you or not.
Carefully consider pricing and avoid scams
When it comes to costs, it’s prudent to consider the following:
– Different pricing structures
– How the roofer organizes the costs associated with the job
– What kind of insurance they hold
– Previous work
– Past history/customer satisfaction
As you evaluate a roofer, also remember that the lowest cost may not necessarily be the best option. Make a decision that will fit in your budget without automatically going to the lowest possible offer. Getting to know a roofer should provide all the insight you need to make a decision on a cost estimate. It’s also best to avoid door-to-door roofers who come knocking after a storm. More often than not, these roofers are scammers looking to capitalize on deceiving unsuspecting homeowners. They are likely uninsured roofers, and if you allow them to do work on your roof, your insurance premiums—not to mention the cost to repair the roof itself—will rise significantly. They may also damage an otherwise healthy roof intentionally or by accident. Once you’ve decided on a roofer and received a cost estimate, it’s time for the proposal.
Take away
Replacing your roof doesn’t have to be troublesome or pain in the neck. Be sure to carefully consider all the factors before committing to hiring a roofer and you’ll be on the way to having the beautiful, appealing home you’ve always desired, hand-crafted by professionals.
- by Matt Watts
