Roof Repair Estimates Best Practices
By · CommentsWhen you are in the market for a new roof, home repair experts suggest you gather 3-5 estimates from roofing contractors before selecting one. But keep in mind that there is more to finding the best roofing quote than simply looking at the cost. Too often, homeowners simply select the lowest estimate without digging deeper to evaluate other important factors that will affect the overall outcome of the roof repair work. Let’s take a look at all the issues to consider before accepting a roofing quote.
The first thing to do is to select the exact material you want the contractor to install. Roofing quotes will vary based on the product you choose. Secondly, gather the names of roofing companies from neighbors, friends and colleagues who have had a roof installed in the last few years. They are your best source of reliable information. Gather a list of 5-7 contractors for whom you get positive recommendations.
Call these contractors and request a roofing quote. They should be willing to come to your home at a time convenient for you, including evenings or Saturday. Make a note of that since it indicates a “whatever it takes” attitude, which is one sign of a quality company. They’ll provide a roofing quote based on the material, the difficulty of the roof, and whether or not old roofing material must be removed first. Ask for detailed written estimates so that you’ll be comparing “apples to apples,” that is, estimates for exactly the same work.
Ask the contractor about their experience as well as the experience of the crew. Also find out their time frame for starting. Good roofing companies are busy, and unless your need for roof repair is extremely urgent, it will be worth waiting a few extra weeks for the right one. Ask what the company will do to protect the roof if rain hits in the middle of the job, and also their plan for cleaning up the job site. The contractor should provide evidence of being properly insured and licensed. Be sure to obtain references, and call them. More importantly, drive by their homes to take a look at the work firsthand, if possible. Some roofing contractors will have a photo album or online portfolio of the houses they’ve done, and those are worth a look. A call to the Better Business Bureau is also recommended.
Take time to evaluate the information you gather from the roofing companies. Eliminate those you had concerns about from speaking with them or looking at their work, and those you heard reliable, negative information about from others. Once those companies are weeded out, you are finally ready to make a choice from among quality contractors likely to do a great job. And that is where the cost given on the roofing quote can be the deciding factor.
Roofing Quotes – Be Prepared
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When you bring up the topic of roofing repair with most homeowners, you may see them cringe and nod slowly. Roofing can be quite expensive, so we’ve put together this guide to help you not only determine your roofing problem, but be able to speak in precise terms when ordering a roofing repair quote and finally how to choose the right repair service.
‘Buckling’ is typically a sign of poor ventilation. This is usually a minor repair for a professional roofer, as all that is normally required is adding ventilation and the replacement of a small area of shingles.
‘Drips’ are droplets of water that fall from your ceiling when it rains. If you need to put buckets on the floor to collect water, this is a serious enough problem to call for a roofing quote. Unless your roofing is quite old, this is normally just a small area that needs repair. This is also commonly seen around skylights, where worn or improperly installed seals need replacement. While this is not an urgent issue, you may want to act fast to prevent the problem from getting worse and causing additional damage.
‘Dry Rot’ repair can get expensive. This means not only roofing replacement, but the replacement of the underlying wood frame structures that support your roof. This should be considered an urgent repair as things can go from bad to worse pretty quickly. This may be necessary for all (usually a best practice, and also known as a complete ‘Tear Off’ of the roof) of your roof or only a small area.
Now for the difficult part. Since there are plenty of national franchised roofing repair companies as well as smaller local contractors, it can be difficult to choosing the right service provider.
When calling for a roofing quote, keep the following points in mind:
- Know what you need and ask for it specifically. The first part of this guide should help you in this respect.
- Find out of the company or companies you contact specialize in your specific problem.
- Make sure the roofing companies work with your insurance provider.
- Know what materials your roof is made of, and make sure the contractors work with the same materials your roof is made of.
- Choose roofing companies that can provide you with photos of repairs or reviews from past customers – or choose a service that is recommended by third party professional evaluators.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Be sure both you and your contractor have a clear understanding of exactly what the scope of your project entails.
Roofing quotes can be expensive, so be sure to obtain several quotes and evaluate them and the contractors carefully before you make your decision.
A great starting point for roofing repair quotes is online. You can get three no obligation quotes online HERE from qualified and recommended professional contractors in your area.
