People seldom pay heed to the maintenance of their roof. They are mostly concerned about the interiors of their home and neglect the wear and tear in the roof.
Most of us tend to pay more attention to the inside of the house rather than looking for trouble outside unless something serious happens.
You should take prompt notice as soon as you detect a problem with your roof, especially if it hasn’t been repaired for a long time.
Lack of maintenance can cause several issues with a roof that, over time, can affect the structure of your house and cause a big dent in your pocket. You can avoid this situation by taking timely action.
You might be able to do some repairs by yourself, but you should call a professional and get an inspection done.
Roofing is a significant investment; not only do you risk your money, but a bad roofing job can cause you more trouble. So before you award a roofing contract to someone, make sure that you have done thorough research.
Here are some factors that you should consider:
1. How long the company has been in business
Since roofing is not everybody’s cup of tea, you cannot risk handing over the contract to a newbie. If you want to remodel your house at a lower cost, then make sure to hire a company that has vast experience so it can handle the job professionally.
Many contractors work for two to three years and then shut down either because of lawsuits or because they don’t have enough business. In such cases, you cannot reach out to them if something goes wrong with your roof, or it begins to leak after some time.
One thing you should check before hiring a contractor is whether they are licensed or not. You shouldn’t hire a contractor if they don’t have a license or an insurance cover.
Ask the contractor for the proof of license and also make sure that its workers are insured. Apart from that, ask them about the other certifications they hold.
2. What is the reputation of the company
The tenure of the company doesn’t always necessarily mean that it has a good track record, and hence you need to check for reviews on their past repair works.
You can find these reviews online, and they will give you an idea about the performance of the company.
For example, if a company has 4 to 5 years of experience, it should have accumulated several positive reviews from its customers. Avoid the company that has been around for a while, but only has a few positive reviews.
When you check the reviews, don’t only consider the ratings of the company. Check out for specific information such as whether customers would like to work with the company again, did the project stay within the budget, how long did the entire project takes, and whether any follow-up repair works were required or not. It’s also important to know if they are experienced with different materials such as metal roofing.
3. How much will the process cost?
Since repairing a roof requires a high degree of expertise, you shouldn’t compromise with the quality. It may seem like that a higher price means higher quality, but it isn’t always the case. Some companies may rip you off without providing you with the quality, so basing your entire decision on cost is not wise.
Nonetheless, you need to have a budget in mind before you hire a contractor because not all roofing materials cost the same. For example, if you are getting a modified bitumen roofing for your home, it will cost you more as compared to asphalt composite shingles.
Sometimes a contractor may quote only the apparent costs, and you might end up spending more than you initially thought.
So ask the contractor what the price entails. Whether the contractor will tear the entire old roof, will the labors remove the debris, what sort of materials will the contractor use, and what about any unexpected damages and repairs that reveal themselves once the work starts?
By asking the right questions and doing your homework, you can end up saving costs on your roofing project.
4. Do warranties cover the project?
We cannot emphasize this enough that you shouldn’t award a contract without asking about the warranty. It is the first thing you need to check when hiring a roofing contractor.
A contractor who gives warranties will charge a bit extra, but it will ensure your peace of mind in case the roof gets damaged down the road, or the installation wasn’t done correctly.
There are two types of warranties that you should ask for:
- Workmanship warranty: A workmanship warranty provides you with coverage against installation errors. It generally covers one year after the completion of work.
- Material warranty: Manufacturer material warranties often last for a period of 10 to 30 years. It covers the failures and defects of roofing materials.
You can either get a limited lifetime warranty or full coverage warranty. Limited lifetime warranty means that you are covered for around 50 years. However, the catch here is the word limited, which means that the warranty depreciates over time.
For example, for the first ten years, both labor and shingles are covered, but after ten years, only shingles will be covered, and after 20 years, you will have to cover a part of the cost.
Alternatively, you can opt for full coverage, which is going to cost you a bit more, but it will make sure that the manufacturer covers the entire cost in case something goes wrong.
Spend on roofing but wisely
Maintaining your roof has significant advantages, especially if you want to sell your house because a well-maintained roof can increase the value of your home. Even if you don’t have any intention to sell your house, a roof by Davis Roofing can add to the aesthetic and appeal of your house.
However, getting the roof repaired is a complex process. But, if you do your homework and select the right contractor like Mighty Dog Roofing Greenville, your investment will be worth it. Investing time in research and getting recommendations is better than seeing your hard-earned money go to waste.
