Roofing Contractors and Roofing Companies

Tips for Roofs and Roofing Contractors

A roof is a roof, right?  Well, not really. It is more than just a covering which keeps the rain out and the heat in. It is perhaps the most important exterior element on your home. A good roof keeps the rest of the house, right down to the foundation, protected against the elements that can seep in and destroy the structure over time. It can also enhance the architectural style and beauty of your home with dozens of material choices, not to mention colors.

Most home owners never really give the roof a thought until there are signs of trouble, such as a leak. In reality periodic inspection can tell you a lot about the condition of your roof and underlying substructure. It can also prolong the life of your roof if you know how to spot potential trouble spots. (Don't attempt to do this on your own if you are at all uncomfortable with heights or your roof is extremely steep. Get a professional who has the equipment and experience. )

• Are there soft spots?  Often you can find these by simply walking the roof. You'll feel the underlayment (usually plywood) give under your weight and it could mean your roof is leaking and has caused damage below the shingles, even though you don't see a leak in the interior of your home.
• Look at all places where the roofing material meets a wall, valley, skylight or chimney. It is common for these areas to show distress more quickly as rain, ice and snow can build up and cause wear to roofing materials. Make sure caulk, tar or metal flashing in these areas is not cracked or missing.
• Asphalt shingles are by far the most common material. Check to see that the edges are not curling up, cracked or that the "gravel" is not wearing away. Even though you may not be experiencing a leak these are signs your roof has gone past its lifespan.
• Are there missing shingles or tabs?  A roof in its prime of life can withstand quite a bit of wind, but when the roof becomes weak you'll find that the tabs are easily lifted up. After a wind storm, do you see any shingles lying on the ground?

Does your inspection show that you are ready for a new roof?  Standing seam, cement shingle, metal or asphalt…those are just some of the decisions you'll have to make when it is time to replace your roof. There have been a lot of advancements in the roofing material industry in recent years. While asphalt shingles remain the most common due to relatively low cost, it really pays to wonder through the home centers or work with your roofing contractor to explore options. Lots of colors and styles are available, and you can expect a shingled asphalt roof to come with a 30 year warranty. At the other end of the spectrum and becoming very common are architectural metal roofs. These have gone way past the corrugated metal roofs we see on many sheds and pole buildings. They now can look like a shingled roof but last much longer. A roofing material fact sheet produced by Cornell University explains various roofing types, comparative costs and life expectancies which you may want to look at before deciding on a roofing material.

With so many roofing choices you have some thinking to do. If you plan on staying in your home for a very long time and the look and durability of some of the more expensive roofing materials appeals to you than by all means go ahead and invest in your future. Chances are you'll never have to think much about your roof again.

However if you plan on relocating within the next ten years it may not pay for you to put the added expense into more costly materials. Within the ten year mark asphalt shingles will still have a lot of life in them when you go to sell and will still present your home in the best light. Keep in mind that a good roof does not really add value to your home, but a bad one can detract from the value at resale. A roof is just something that is expected to be in good shape when potential buyers look at your home. A roof that has run its lifespan will turn off many prospective buyers.

Choosing a Roofing Contractor

Selecting a competent roofing contractor doesn't have to be a daunting task. Fortunately HandyCanadian is here to help.
Go through the many roofing contractors your friends and neighbors have already worked with. They have posted their experiences here on HandyCanadian, and there is no better referral than a past customer offering an honest opinion. Also pay attention to the roofing contractors' profiles. Does their profile match your particular needs?  Does it seem that they have a lot of experience in the type of roofing job you are searching for?

There are two ways to use HandyCanadian. You can post your project and let roofing contractors come to you, or you can select a few you wish to receive quotes from and contact them directly. (Please tell contractors you found them on HandyCanadian when contacting them. )  However you connect with roofing contractors there are a few things you should be looking for in a quote:

• Does the quote include building permits and inspections?  Any professional roofing contractor should be handling this for you, but you must follow up and make sure these permits are properly applied for. If they insist you have to do it this may be a sign they are not licensed, and worse, not insured. Contractors should be able to provide you with proof of liability coverage for accidents or damage on the worksite, and of particular importance is mandatory Workers Safety and Insurance Board coverage. (Detailed information is found here, and home owners with general and sub- contractors should pay particular attention to Q2 and Q6!)
• Start and timeframes to completion should be outlined.
• One important consideration is the removal of old shingles and the clean-up procedures. Does your quote allow for this?  Don't assume; ask.
• What are the warranties of the materials and workmanship?
• What are the terms?  Make sure this is spelled out completely. A contractor or the supplier of materials can place a lien on your home if they are not paid. To protect yourself make sure this is handled in writing.
• Watch out for low-ball bids. If it seems too good to be true it probably is. Roofing contractors really cannot skimp on materials costs. Time is time; it is what it is. Low-ball bids often mean something is missing, such as required insurances, permits or clean-up costs.

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