HF Roofing Contractor
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HF Best Tips to Hire a trusted roofing contractor to repair and replace the roof
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With spring around the corner, many homeowners are moving to repair or replace their current roofs. The off-season may be the best time to jump on a home improvement project with lower prices and available materials.
HF ROOFING CONTRACTORS has tips to remember whenever you hire any contractor to work on your home's Roofing project. You can find advice on everything from researching vendors to getting estimates to signing a contract in Tips for Hiring a Contractor.
Here are six tips for hiring a roofer:
- Please make sure you understand the full scope of the project. What exactly is the roofer going to do? Will they be doing spot repairs or replacing the whole roof? Will they be removing the old roof or covering it with the new roof? Ensure you understand the solutions' pros and cons and that everything is detailed in your contract.
- Ask about clean-up and waste removal. Confirm that your contractor will be responsible for taking away all old materials and cleaning up your site after their work is complete.
- Please take a look at your gutters and landscaping. A roofing job will require ladders that can cause damage when leaned against your gutters or stuck in your landscaping. How will your roofer protect against damage or fix things after the job?
- Plan for bad weather. What happens if there is terrible weather while your roof project is underway? Ask your roofer about what they will do to protect your home in the case of rain or snow.
- Check your insurance coverage. If your project is for fixing the roof damage, check your homeowner’s insurance to see if your project is covered and how you should proceed if it is. (You also want to check your contractor’s insurance coverage for worker’s compensation, property damage, and personal liability.)
- Different contractors for different roofing systems. Roofing contractors may be certified to install specific types of roofs. You can check with the manufacturer to see if your contractor is certified for their design.
Written proposals that are detailed and broken down into separate line items are a good sign that the contractor is thorough and has prepared an accurate estimate. Your estimate or proposal should include the following:
- The type of roof covering, manufacturer, and color
- Materials to be included in the work, e.g., underlayment, ice dam protection membrane
- Scope of work to be done:
- Removal or replacement of existing roofing or rotted wood, plank, or plywood
- Flashing work. Existing flashings to be replaced or re-used, adding new flashing, flashing metal, aluminun type
- Ventilation work, adding new vents
- Who is responsible for repairing/replacing exterior landscape or interior finishes damaged during the work? Could you ensure it contains language addressing who is responsible for any damage due to the job?
- All items of concern and work to be done should be included in the contract.
Installation method
- Approximate starting and completion dates
- Length of warranty and what is covered, e.g., quality, water leakage
- Who will haul away the old roofing materials or project debris, extra materials, and packaging.? Will this be an extra charge or not?
There are also ways you can extend the life of your roof:
- Clear dead or overhanging branches. Have a professional tree service evaluate the branches hanging over your roof and decide whether or not they are a risk. If the units are dead, that increases the chance of them falling onto your roof. In addition, heavily shaded areas of your roof can retain moisture, which sometimes leads to mold. Regular trimmings of overhanging branches will help your roof dry uniformly.
- Inspect for hail damage. After intense storms, especially hailstorms, have a licensed insurance adjuster or contractor inspect your roof. Dimples and cracks on the shingles are vital indicators that hail damage has occurred.
- Keep your eyes and ears open and remove debris. Homeowners should inspect their roofs regularly and monitor for hail damage. The homeowner can do ground-level inspections. It would help if you also kept your gutters clear. If debris needs to be removed, call a professional or be very cautious when getting up on your roof.
Common roofing scams often occur after a storm when a roofer “just happens” to be on your street and notices damage to your roof. Learn more about these so-called "Storm Chasers" at BBB.org/Storm.
Contact HF General Contractor Inc. for more help with your roof issues.