A challenge for many people at some point during their tenure as homeowners is what to do when you need to repair or replace a roof. Sometimes the roofing needs patching, tarring, shingling or more. Sometimes tar shingles or metal shingles are defective and new ones need to be placed. Leaking or moss covered roofs are a huge problem to a homeowner because the roof is your last defense against inclement weather.
While cleaning out your gutters you notice that you are removing more shingle granules than leaves from the gutters. Problems are apparent. They continue to grow before your eyes. It appears that you cannot delay the inevitable. It is time to replace the roof on your home.
We often hear horror stories of hiring a competent roofer. People say they have trouble finding quality roofing Cincinnati services and that a roofing warranty is only as good as the person who installed the roof. The first question that you need to ask yourself is “Should I replace my own roof or should I contract with a professional contractor or the best roofing companies to complete my project?” This question may be simple to answer just by walking out your front door and looking up at your roof. If you have a fear of heights, have a complex roofing system, do not have proper equipment, don’t feel comfortable with the complexities of the job at hand, etc. then it’s time to hire a competent roofer to do the job for you.
If you decide that it is best that you have a professional competent contractor complete your roof replacement project instead of attempting the project yourself, there are some key points that need to be addressed. Start by asking prospective residential roofing contractors about insurance coverage. Standard coverage includes general liability, auto and worker’s compensation. No matter whom you hire, be sure to get a copy of their certificate of insurance before you move forward.
As important as insurance is, the competent roofer will also posses a contractor license. And while each state is unique in its requirements, it is recommended that anyone wishing to hire a competent roofer should research licensing requirements in their area.
Furthermore, many roofing manufacturers now require their authorized roofing installers to be certified in order for the product warranty and system warranty to be valid for the installation of a roof system. Request that the prospective contractors provide copies of their manufacturer certifications for their proposed system. Also, when a roofer is working on a project using manufactured materials, each material should come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Request copies of all warranties, and insist on using materials that come with warranties.
By addressing these key elements of a project as part of the overall process of selecting a competent roofer and choosing the right materials to be installed on your roof, you will increase your chances of having a safe and successful installation of your new roof system.
