So you’re about to embark on something totally new: Finally, after months of planning, you now are ready to build the roof to your new home. Well, okay, you might not necessarily be planning to build it with your own hands, but it’ll be a definite plus for you to understand all the working parts of your soon-to-be roof. It’ll also help for you to understand why it’s absolutely essential that you choose the right contractor, pick out the most ideal (although not necessarily the most affordable) roofing materials, and what, in essence, you can look forward to while you’re building your roof.
Big home projects typically require a general contractor, who may hire specific tradespeople as subcontractors for each job–roofing contractors to install roofing, and windows and door replacement service providers in Fostoria OH, for instance, to handle those specific home improvement projects. This can be time-consuming, however. You can find the right contractor while still keeping your budget – and your sanity – under control. Here are some tips to help you find a roofing contractor who will get the job done right.
Start with Recommendations. Good, honest roofing contractors are bound to act professionally and have the highest levels of integrity. That’s why, apart from asking people you can trust — friends and family — to help you out, you’ll want to check in with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry for a list of members in your area. Alternatively, talk with a building inspector, who’ll know which roofing contractors routinely meet code requirements. A quick trip to your local lumberyard, which deals with contractors regularly and knows which ones buy quality materials and pay their bills on time, is another useful way to get a clue on who’s a roofer worth hiring.
Do Phone Interviews, then Meet Face to Face, Investigate the Facts. A quick call over the phone to each of your prospects will help you better gauge which roofing contractor to consider hiring. You can then pick three or four contractors to meet for further discussion. Find someone who not only answers your questions satisfactorily, but acts in a manner that puts you at ease. Even if you do get on famously, however, still make sure to check in with your state’s consumer protection agency and your local Better Business Bureau to make sure there aren’t any worrisome disputes with clients or subcontractors to speak of. Call up former clients, find how their project went, ask to see the finished product, and visit a current job site and see for yourself how the contractor works.
Make Plans, Get Bids, Set a Payment Schedule. Shortlist your contractors, then furnish them with a complete set of blueprints. Give them a sense of what you want out of your roofing project and what the budget is. Each of your prospective roofers should break down the cost of materials, labor, profit margins and other expenses which will allow you to better compare bids. Materials will usually account for 40 percent of the total cost; the rest, overhead and the typical profit margin, which is 15 to 20 percent. You should work out a payment schedule ahead of time. Projects usually start with 10 percent at contract signing, three payments of 25 percent spaced evenly over the duration of the project and a check for the final 15 percent upon completion.
Put it in Writing. Detail every step of the project in the contract: from the schedule of payments to proof of liability insurance and worker’s compensation; a start date and projected completion date; specific materials and products to be used; and lien releases (which protect you if he doesn’t pay his bills) obtained from all subcontractors and suppliers. Insisting on a clear contract isn’t about mistrust but rather, about insuring a successful renovation.
Materials Trends. Now let’s talk materials: There are a slew of materials on the market–of that, there is no doubt. As modern society moves inexorably closer towards environmentally-safe, earth-saving options in housing and construction, people are making more conscious choices that will give future generations a better chance at living lives that are less fraught with the problems we are today challenged with. In windows construction and replacement, for instance, while wood is still largely favored, there are home window installation companies in Fostoria OH that offer much better composite framing options. This trend is true in all aspects, including roofing.
While many think that it will be near-impossible to undo the damage we wrought on the environment in the past decades or centuries because of our ignorance, it still falls upon us to seek and use eco-friendly options where we can find them. This should help us in determining our home design choices as well as in finding the right materials to build with.
We all know that the roof not only keeps the structure dry, but helps to boost the looks of the house. The surface of our house’s exteriors is critical, so one must seriously consider the options available when you’re thinking of re-roofing. With so many options available, things can be really confusing! From asphalt shingles, to wood shakes to clay tiles, and from steel panels to rubber lookalike slate–the choices are endless!
One thing that’s been observed lately, however is that there is an increasing trend towards engineered roofing materials. One reason for this is the increasingly prohibitive price of wood. Second, building codes are making the use fireproof construction materials a standard requirement. And third, people prefer to build with materials that are not only pleasing to the eye, but also long-lived.
What to Expect from Your Roofing Project. At last, you are ready to begin with your roof’s installation. Assuming weather conditions are fine and depending on the size and style of your roof, installation can take just two days to a week to complete.
First, your old roofing material will be removed, and your roof inspected for weak spots, rot and mold. Have any issues you find addressed appropriately before laying out a synthetic underlayment and a traditional water barrier to provide your roof with needed weather protection. Then, once the base of your new roof is done, you can have your new roofing material installed. After your new roofing has been installed, clear away any construction debris and leftover material and perform a final inspection. An inspection will confirm that the work done complies with state and local codes; and your new roof is now good to go.
