Shingles, Nails, and Beyond

If your home is in need of a new roof, one of the first steps you'll need to take is to find a team of roofing contractors you can trust with the job. To make sure you're getting a fair price and that you end up with the right professionals for your roof replacement project, it's a good idea to talk to at least a few possible roofing companies before you make your decision.

With each company, take the time to ask a few key questions that can help to inform your decision.

How Will My New Roof Be Installed?

Start by finding out whether the quote you'll be receiving is for total removal and replacement of your existing roof or re-roofing. Re-roofing is essentially the process of installing a new roof over your existing one. While there's nothing wrong with re-roofing, it's important to understand what you're getting for your money. If you've received one quote that's substantially lower than the others, there's a good chance you're looking at a re-roofing estimate.

If you decide to go with re-roofing rather than total replacement, you may also want to have a structural engineer come out to your home and make sure that your home will be able to handle the weight of additional roofing materials. In most cases, this is not an issue, but it's something to consider before signing any kind of contract.

How Will You Protect My Property?

You'll also want to make sure that the roofing contractors you hire will take steps to protect your property. This includes your gutters, siding, windows, and landscaping. Ideally, your roofers should be using ladder stabilizers, which will prevent heavy ladders from resting directly against your home's gutters. You'll also want to make sure any debris or leftover roofing materials will be cleaned up and hauled away.

How Do You Stand Behind Your Work?

Your roofing materials will likely come with a warranty from the manufacturer. However, your roofing company should also offer some sort of guarantee on their labor and installation for your added peace of mind. Be sure to get this guarantee in writing. This way, if there is an issue with your roof later on, you can have it repaired without having to pay additional labor charges.

Choosing the right roofing contractor will take some time and research on your part, but it will pay off when you have a beautiful new roof that will last you many years to come.