ROOFING
ROOFERS REFERRAL SERVICE
Get cost estimates for roofing from qualified contractors.
- Roofing & Gutters - Clean
- Roofing - Install or Replace
- Roofing - Other
- Roofing - Repair
- Skylights Includes installation, repair, replacement & sealing of skylights.
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In less than 48 hours get up to 4 estimates from qualified roofers!
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Steps to Finding a Professional Roofing Contractor
You have decided to replace your roof and now comes what seems like the impossible task of finding a professional contractor. Many homeowners have had a bad experience with an unprofessional contractor whose talents really lie in his ability to sell his skill rather than execute it. So how do you locate the right roofing contractor for your newest home improvement?
It is advisable to obtain at least five bids from reputable contractors. Here is some important information to discuss with every potential contractor you interview:
Products: Discuss the product recommendations with the contractor. Do they fit your needs and budget? Are they the best option for your state's climate? Will special materials affect the timelines for completing the work?
Insurance: Make sure your contractor carries both necessary types of insurance, Worker's Compensation and Liability Insurance. Verify that an insurance certificate has been issued with your name prior to any work being done. Failure on the part of the contractor to carry these insurances can become a costly nightmare for you down the road. Injury to workers or damage to the home during the repairs will become the homeowner's liability in that case.
If your roof replacement is covered by your insurance you will want to find out how the contractor works with your insurer. Do they bill the insurance directly or will you need to pay the contractor and seek repayment from your insurance company?
Permits: Many states require a city permit before repairs can begin. These permits are added protection for the homeowner, ensuring a city inspector will review the contractors work. The contractor and never the homeowner should acquire these permits. Purchasing the permits yourself can increase your liability with the city.
Deposits: State laws vary, however it is customary for a contractor to request 10% down before the project begins. Be wary if a contractor asks for more, it may be an indicator of financial instability.
Guarantee: Verify all warranties and guarantees with the contractor prior to hiring him and be sure to get them in writing.
Punctuality: Did the contractor care enough about this potential job to arrive on time for the quote?
Timeline: When going over the details of the roofing job, get clarification on timelines. How long does the contractor expect each phase of the roof replacement to take? Make sure you have a clear understanding regarding their policies for weather interruptions and ordering setbacks.
Contractor: Check references, city building departments for feedback on the quality and honesty of the contractor you are considering for the job. How comfortable are you allowing this contractor to make such a large repair to your home?
Take your time and choose your contractor with care. A great contractor can relieve the homeowner of unnecessary stress and expense, making this investment well worthwhile.
Aluminum Roofing
In the 1950's aluminum became a popular roofing materials in areas where snowfall was heavy. unlike the asphalt roofing which tended to hold the snow until the pile was heavy enough to slide off, aluminum shed the snow when the pack was lighter thus saving the roof from compression and even failure. The only problem with aluminum was that the snow on the bottom usually turned to ice because of the heat from the inside of the home. This pack could slide off unexpectedly causing injury to whomever was below it.
The early aluminum roofs were installed in sheets that stretched from the peak to the eave and were joined by a vertical, raised seam. The color was the basic metallic color and there were no other options. In addition they were susceptible to stripping off in heavy winds.
Today, aluminum has come a long way from the bland metallic look. Powder coating techniques and vinyl coatings have allowed a myriad of colors to adorn roofs, hues which have built-in, ultra-violet protection against fading. Fading used to plague the early generations of aluminum siding.
In addition to the sheeting aluminum roofing also comes in shingle form which interlock other on all four sides. This forms a single bond of strong roofing which can withstand hurricane-force winds. In addition, the new aluminum shingles is primed with 2 layers and then the final paint coat is baked onto the aluminum.
Another advantage is that the roofing can go right over old asphalt so that the old surface becomes part of the substrate of the new roof. This saves carting the shingles to the landfill.
A new do-it-yourself kit is available for the handy homeowners where you can do this yourself. This is a great opportunity to save money because the interlocking shingle industry ran on specialized crews who installed the product and the cost was 4 times what a normal roof did. This does not mean that the D-I-Y product is cheap but even twice the price is great for a roof that will last a lifetime.
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