Your roof is the first thing people look at as they approach your house and that’s why it is important to maintain a clean and neat roof, if you want to send the right message to your visitors. However, roofs, just like any other thing in your home will eventually wear and tear and your regular maintenance and repairs will add to its longevity. In this article, we examine the reasoning behind getting a new roofing contractor; what to look out for and the primary factors to consider.
Plan Well in Advance
Getting a new roof requires a good plan and the biggest part of your plan involves budgeting for the new roof. However, as part of your research you still need to know the full cost of the new roof and therefore you need to consult a roofing contractor near you to give you a breakdown of the costs before you can approach a roofing company.
Now, typically roofing contractors in my area will want to know the size of your home and the extent of renovations you want to do. This means you also have to plan in advance, when you will likely get the new roof installed and then work backwards from there. Give it about 2-3 weeks for the roofing company to draft a sketch of your new roof once they have taken measurements.
Check for Credentials
Your preferred roofing installer near you may be a private contractor or working in a roofing company. Whichever the case, they probably have the right credentials if they expect to work in your area. However, some people may take on contracts and still lack these required credentials and when something goes bad, you may end up on the wrong side of things. So make sure that have the certifications, insurance covers and licenses to operate in your area.
Put Everything Down in Writing
A contract is the hallmark of a good agreement and since not all agreements are similar, you should make sure your interests and intents are well covered in your contract with the roofing company. The details captured by the contract and which are crucial are details touching on the date of the renovation, labor costs, rights and duties of both parties etc. The roofing company near you will also add certain clauses that are state-specific and which are guided by that state’s building codes.
Choosing Between Independent Contractor and Roofing Company
An independent contractor is basically a skilled artisan and expert, who is self employed. There are instances where choosing a skilled independent contractor provides more benefit than a roofing company. An independent roofing installer near you is more responsive and will avail more time towards your roofing project. They are also more likely to charge less since they have less overheads and more flexibility than a roofing company. Eventually, what you are looking for is someone who will dedicate their time and expertise wholly to your project and still maintain a high level of professionalism.
I also would stress that people who are working with Independent contractors find ratings from previous clients. Being in real estate I’ve experienced and heard of horror stories surrounding contractors who left a job unfulfilled and expected their pay. As well as contractors who’ve abandoned a project completely, while the client had made a fifty-thousand dollar payout in good faith. Roofing companies are more expensive but lately seem to be more reliable, I make sure the people I’m working with aren’t cutting corners to get the job done either.
Maintaining a clean and neat roof is an important aspect of taking care of your home. As highlighted in this article, regular maintenance and repairs can help extend the lifespan of your roof. However, there may come a time when you need to replace your roof entirely.