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Full Service Construction & Remodeling COMMERCIAL ROOFING RESIDENTIAL ROOFING Residential RoofingBecause you do not change your roof very often, you may not be aware of the key decisions that you will need to make. Here are the most important ones.
CURLING Caused by the process of heating and freezing. The shingles become brittle. The edges curl and the shingles can no longer protect the home adequately. CRACKING Direct sun and temperature changes cause the asphalt in the shingle to crack and break open, ultimately creating leaks. GRANULES IN GUTTER The granules are what protect the asphalt (waterproofing) in the shingle from the sun. They also protect the shingle from fire and provide the color for your roof. When granules come off it marks the doom of the shingles. LEAKS Weight from heavy roof tiles causes tile to slip and tears to occur in the underlying waterproofing layer (called underlayment). This allows water to penetrate into the home. Improper nailing and poor installation of flashing can also cause leaks. BALDING These are areas of the roof that have lost their shingle granules. The granules protect the shingles from the sun's ultraviolet rays, which accelerate the breakdown of the roof system. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE Termites, hail, wind, rotting or settling of the house structure or chimney can cause damage that is sometimes hidden from view. STORM DAMAGE High wind, hail or falling debris causes visible roof damage or shingle blow off, making repair or replacement necessary. GENERAL APPEARANCE Color fading and algae/fungus can bring about a need for a better look for your roof. Important Roofing Considerations OLD ROOF REMOVAL If you are replacing an existing roof you will have to decide whether to put the new roof over your existing roof. Your roof structure and local building codes will determine how much weight you roof can stand. While it is not recommended that you put on a third roof, a second roof can often save the cost and time of removing an old roof. Of course, the type of roof you are covering must be compatible with the new roofing system. VENTILATION The ventilation should also be considered. Humidity and heat are enemies of your roof. Proper ventilation should be designed into your roof before new roofing is applied. CLIMATE AND WEATHER Northern climates need consideration for wide temperature ranges. Strong storm areas need extra wind blow-off protection. Sun is always a factor and is the main cause of roof deterioration. Even a southern exposure of your roof to more direct sunlight is a factor. FIRE RATINGS The higher the fire rating, the more fire resistant your roof will be. A Class A rated roof will resist igniting far longer than a Class C rated roof. Oddly a metal roof is poor fire protection because it transfers heat directly to the roof structure, which could cause it to ignite. Wood shake or shingle roofs offer, at best, a Class B fire rating. Discuss wood roofs with your insurance company. How to Select a Roofing Contractor The selection of a qualified roofing contractor is an important as the color, style and warranty of the roof you want to put on your home. Perhaps even more so. There are many factors that go into this type of highly specialized work and it is impossible for you to learn everything there is to know. You need the best advice you can get on products and procedures. Always remember that the price is not the only criteria you should consider when hiring a roofing contractor. How long has the roofing contractor been in business? What is their reputation? Has the roofing contractor gone through any special training? Are they licensed and insured? These and other important criteria are listed below to help you compare "apples to apples" when making your decision on which contractor to use. Any reputable roofing contractor is more than willing to provide you with this information as well as documentation when applicable. Comparison Check List Does the company have a permanent business address and phone number? This is a sign of stability and indicates whether the contractor will be around if something goes wrong. You may also get better service if you hire a contractor with an office near you. Does the contractor have a contractor's license, if required by state law? You can check with your local building department to see if a license is required. Ask to see the license. This shows that you are dealing with a company that meets legal business requirements. Are they Insured? Contractors should have Workers' Compensation Insurance as well as General Liability Insurance. Ask to see copies of each certificate of insurance. Workers' Comp Insurance protects you in case a worker is injured on your property for costs related to the injury. Also, does the roofing contractor have General Liability Insurance? If the roofing contractor does not have Workers' Comp and General Liability coverage you could be financially liable. Roofing contractors that do not carry insurance can afford to be cheaper in price because they don't have to pay insurance premiums that can be quite high. It is up to you to decide if the risk of taking on the potential liability is worth the money you save. Have they been in business for at least ten years? Ask how long the contractor has been in business. This is a sign of experience. Will they provide a roofing products manufacturer's warranty and contractor's warranty? The roofing contractor should have full written information on both the manufacturer's warranty of the products and on their own warranty. Read it. The warranty shows what is covered, over what period of time and under what circumstances. If it's not on the warranty documents, its not covered. Will the contractor give you the names and addresses of at least five recently completed roofing jobs that you can drive by or call? Be sure and check these out. Other people are happy to let you know what kind of experience they had. A roofing contractor should show you examples of their work in the area through photos and/or testimonial letters from customers and spend adequate time with you learning your needs and discussing your options. Discussing all aspects of the project before work begins can save you time and money later. Estimates, Proposals And Contracts Both estimates and proposals are forms of agreements and should be provided in writing by the roofing contractor. The two can vary considerably in the kind and amount of information they provide to help you make an informed decision. Further detail will be shown in the contract. An estimate is often simply a price given to do a job and might describe one type of roofing system but very little additional detail. While a place to start, this should not be your only written document on the work to be done. A proposal, on the other hand, should contain Better and Best roofing type options with pricing on structural issues and roofing systems. The proposal should include choices of products, brand names, and services provided by the contractor so that you know exactly to what you are agreeing and what is expected of both you and the roofing contractor. Whether you receive an estimate or proposal, it is just good business to read it thoroughly. Most problems come from misunderstandings about contract items that were in writing all the time. If you see something you don't agree with or don't understand, talk to the roofing contractor about it and get it resolved in writing before any work begins. In addition to an agreement, the roofing contractor should also offer information on their company and samples of products should be shown. The contract is the document that answers all questions and resolves any issues. A good contract includes the final decisions. The contract should include all agreements like starting dates (because of weather changes it is difficult for a roofing contractor to commit to an exact day), products to be used including all manufacturer's brand names & color. Also, specific provisions must be in place to assure that shrubbery and miscellaneous personal property are not damaged. Warranties The manufacturer's warranty will cover the materials and workmanship of the roofing materials. Each roofing style will have an amount of time it is unconditionally guaranteed, and then often for a longer period of time it receives a limited warranty based on years of use. The roofing contractor's warranty addresses work done on your particular job. It discusses those things that the manufacturer's warranty does not cover. Look for length of time and circumstances that protect you. The warranty should be for at least one year, and then offer ongoing preventive maintenance checks to assure you are given the best possible solutions to your roofing needs. Attributes of a Good Customer Professional roofing contractors want to work with customers that will be good for business and provide a fair profit. The customer that provides the roofing contractor with the appropriate information will receive prompt attention from the contractors interviewed and will ultimately get a better roofing job done. By reading this information, you have taken the right steps in being an informed, good consumer and customer. When we are called out to do a free estimate, each and every time, we generate an itimized budget, a comprehensive scope of work, and a day to day work schedule. Please click on a service (to the Left) for more information, request an estimate, or call us at (757) 512-7660 and get started today! |
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