Cheap Can Be More Expensive in the End: Breaking down the real cost of roofing services.

Homeowners typically try to cut costs as much as they can when they are shopping around for roofing services, whether they need to replace their aging roof with a brand new one or they need a repair to the one they have to get a few more years of life out of it. That’s a smart thing to do, as any consumer knows. But especially when you are shopping for something as important to the well-being of your home, you should always value quality as one of the key components of a roofing service, and price that in accordingly. Just think about it, your most important possessions in life are all under your roof. Here are five important questions to ask before narrowing down your selection of a roofing company to provide your services.

Do They Have References?

Always check references and licensing to ensure your roofer is insured. Insurance is important to cover any liability if someone is injured while working on the roof of your residential or commercial property.

Be warned, don’t automatically assume that they have great references just by reading their testimonials on their website or in the marketing materials, either. You should be able to contact previous customers and talk to them yourself about the quality of the work done for them to make sure it was top-notch.

Is Upfront Payment Required?

Many building contractors ask for payment in advance, and that is especially common in the roofing business. Typically the building owner will pay 10% upfront, 40% upon arrival, an additional 40% when the tiles are completed and 50% upon roofing completion.

Does it Include Removing the Old Roof?

Another way that roofers give bids or quotes for their services is that they offer to install a new roof at a rock-bottom price. Ensure there are no hidden costs or fees and that your roofer has itemized roof removal and disposal in their quote.

What About the Materials Used?

Roofing materials also vary widely, and that can be a critical part of the cost. For example porcelain tile, copper standing seam and true slate are more expensive than sheet metal and clay tiles.

We recommend estimating costs not just based on a one-time roof repair, replacement, or installation, but also over 10, 15, or 20 years. Ask your roofer if there are any maintenance programs you can participate which will help increase the life-time value of your roof. Even if you plan to sell the home before that time, your new buyer will have the roof inspected and a roof that has been well maintained over time will hold better value than one that is not.

What about Clean-Up

By all means, be sure to negotiate a price based on the roofers doing a professional job of cleaning up after themselves. Don’t be that neighbor with roofing debris all over your lawn for weeks before you hire a crew for the disposal.

Don’t get stuck trying to save a buck at the expensive of your entire home and its contents. Be a smart consumer, do your research and be sure to take the time to hammer out the small details beforehand. Choose a roofer who checks out best for all your priorities and remember if you think a good roofer is expensive, try a bad one!

/by

Homeowner Survival Guide: How to pick the right roofer.

To ensure that you pick the right professional for your roofing job it helps to first understand what these contractors do, how to select and hire them, and what red flags to watch for and pitfalls to avoid. Then you can decide with confidence that your roofer – and the roof they provide – will be dependable, reliable, and worth your investment of time and money.

Here is a list of the most important things to look for in a roofing contractor so there are no bad surprises, only outstanding service and professional work, at a price that works for you.

Consulting and Planning

A roofing job doesn’t just start when the crew arrives to climb on top of your house. Your roofer should also be a consulting partner in the planning stages of your re-roof or roof replacement. Your roofers’ job is to understand your unique needs and preferences and guide you throughout your decision making regarding what will work and not.

While you may only have a general idea or vision of what you want, a skillful and resourceful roofer can help to show you options, price comparisons, and examples of their work done of other satisfied customers.

Cost Estimations and Scheduling

Part of the planning process is to make a good faith estimate of the cost and completion schedule for the job. In order to properly gauge costs, it is necessary for your roofer to specify what materials are desired for the project and gather information regarding pricing and availability from local or out-of-town roofing supply companies.

Another thing to consider when selecting the right roofer is whether or not your roofer works as an authorized distributer for high-quality brands of roofing tiles, metal and materials? Research whether they have a strong relationship with suppliers to ensure they get their materials on time, and can also get them in the future if you need to do a roof patch or repair?

Remember things can always go wrong…Weather conditions or delivery times for custom products may delay a project, but an experienced roofer will communicate frequently informing you of the timelines for customized requests.

Inspections and Permits

Most roofing projects require permission from governing authorities such as municipalities and homeowner’s associations. You may find a roofing contractor who accepts responsibility for securing or “pulling” all necessary permits in a timely manner and who will schedule to meet with the inspectors for required periodic inspections of the work in progress, which will save you lots of time. Application fees should also be factored into the overall project budget estimate ahead of time, so you know exactly what you are paying and why.

Managing Materials, Deliveries, and Clean-Up

Once the work begins, roofing materials will be bought and delivered to the work site in a way that does not disrupt the flow of the project but also has little to no impact on your living space or property. Dropping a load of sheet metal in your driveway or lawn for example, will cause large inconveniences that the contractor should ensure doesn’t occur.

Similarly, cleaning up after each day’s work is important for maintaining a safe and tidy work environment, especially if you are living in the home while remodeling is underway. Proper policing of the area also should include making certain that stray materials or roofing debris don’t wind up on your or neighbors’ lawn.

The best home roofing contractors will essentially oversee and execute your entire project from planning and conception to conclusion, consulting with you along the way to keep you updated and informed of progress. They will offer you various options for how to repair or replace your roof, including alternatives you may have not yet thought about such as more durable tiles or the cooling elements of a metal roof. Most importantly your roofer ultimately should be someone you develop trust in, which you can confirm with a check on their references.

 

/by