Importance Of Good Residential Roofing

WHY YOU MUST USE A RESIDENTIAL ROOFING COMPANY FOR YOUR HOME

You can now find many roofing companies in and around your neighborhood. The increased number of storms and other natural calamities which are too often disturbing our peace have also initiated the demand for qualified roofing contractors. This has also made the roofing industry very competitive. One can however take the responsibility upon himself to install the roof of his home. But engaging the roofing company can be a life saver. In this article we have discussed the reasons why one may only hire a qualified roofing company for the job.

Expertise: The Residential roofing contractor is in possession of knowledge and expertise that are required for roof installation. He has the knowledge to identify your roofing requirements based on your budget and environment, and can suggest the best roofing solution accordingly. Further, the roofing contractor is in possession of the latest technology and equipments required to build roofs.

Maintenance: Many of the residential roofing contractors also offer maintenance services which would help you increase the lifetime of your roof. Regular maintenance is necessary to ensure safety of the residents and belongings. Identifying damages in roof requires professional expertise and experience. The roofing contractor would offer services to reinstall the roof and change slats as and when required.

Debris removal: You would need professionals help remove the debris of the changed roof. The residential roofing company would offer debris removal and disposing services. Further, they would also cause minimum damage to your home while installing roof.

Licenses and bonds: Your local legislative body would require both the residential and Commercial roofing contractors to be licensed and bonded to carry out roof installation assignments. It may also be a legal requirement to have the roofs installed only by licensed roofing contractors. Further, the contractor is likely to carry insurance, as per business requirements, to cover damages caused by them.

Budget option: If you think that carrying out roofing assignments by yourself is the frugal way, you are wrong. If you are not a professional there can be many things go wrong during the period to increase the overall cost. With residential roofing companies you can shop around for the most budget solution. The roofing contractor would help you find the best roofing option within your budget.

Questions to Ask a Roofing Company

Working with a roofing company isn’t the same as hiring an independent contractor. These questions can help you get a sense for how the company will work on your project:

  1. Who will be completing the work?
  2. If you hire subcontractors, what is their contact information?
  3. What are the qualifications of the workers coming to my home?
  4. Can I speak to the roofer in charge before starting the project?
  5. Who do I contact for questions or updates?

Advice on choosing a contractor

When choosing a roofing contractor you should consider your choice very carefully and you are advised to check them out before employing them. If you employ a good reputable roofing contractor in terms of price, reliability and workmanship, the potential for problems will be greatly reduced.

Also consider the following points:

  • Select up to three contractors to look at the job. If possible, obtain recommendations from family, friends, neighbours or a reputable trade association.
  • Ask each of them to give advice on which materials they would suggest using.
  • Invite quotes from each contractor but do not automatically take the cheapest option. Base your choice on the quality of the advice given and your confidence in the contractor. Also, if in doubt, consult your local NFRC Regional Manager.
  • Ask for a guarantee on new or refurbishment work. NFRC offers guarantee schemes which back up, but are independent of, the contractor’s own guarantee. Remember that even the best contractors can go out of business whereupon their own guarantees become worthless, so make sure you will be covered.
  • Ensure that the quote or estimate selected is given to you in writing – except possibly for small emergency repairs.

Check for proper licensing and insurance.

The contractor should have insurance for all employees and subcontractors and be able to provide a copy of their insurance certificate for validation. Not having adequate insurance could potentially lead to litigation between a contractor and homeowner if a roofing employee sustains an injury at the home. Most states require licensing for contractors, but that does not stop unlicensed contractors from attempting to do the roofing work. In states where licenses are required, make sure your contractor provides you with a copy of their license and confirm their status online.

Pay your deductible.

Any contractor who claims they can handle the repair without having the homeowner pay their insurance deductible is committing insurance fraud and endangering the homeowner. The insurance deductible is the responsibility of the insured, and the contractor should reflect that in the quote without inflating the estimate to cover all or part of the deductible.

Don’t give in to pressure.

Watch out for a contractor who pressures you to sign a contract before the insurance company has estimated the damage. Some contractors say they can work with whatever your insurance company settles upon, however the homeowner needs to ensure it’s not just any amount, but the right amount. The contractor should thoroughly examine the home and check that their insurance adjuster didn’t miss any damages.

Know your material choices.

A contractor who does not offer you different shingle options is not looking out for your best interest. The style and color of the shingles you install can affect the resale value of your home. If the insurance company is paying for a new roof, it may be the perfect time to make a change and upgrade to a more unique style that suits your taste.

What a roofing contract should contain:

Once you’ve compared the bids and are ready to make a hiring decision, make sure you and the roofer sign a contract, which will offer you protection should problems arise during the job. The contract should include:

• Specifics on payment terms, including down payments, progress payments, the final payment and a provision for you to withhold the final payment until the job is completed to your satisfaction.

• Specifics on type of materials to be used.

• Provisions for change orders or add-ons that could result in extra charges.

• A lien release, which protects you from liability should the roofer fail to pay his or her subcontractors or roofing material suppliers who worked on your project.

• A termination clause, which spells out reasons you or the contractor can end the agreement without penalty if the contract terms are violated.