Homeowner’s Considerations when Re-Roofing

As a homeowner, a roof is a long-term investment and should be treated with care, which starts with having the “Right Installer” for the job. Finding this “Right Installer” is easier said than done because as a homeowner, you probably think there’s a problem with the roof and that’s it, while the “Right Installer” sees how the roof impacts the home.

To find the “Right Installer”:

• Speak to Multiple Roofers - Request 2-3 estimates, more if needed, to gauge their experience and warranties provided because in the case the re-roof wasn’t done properly and the warranty doesn’t cover work done; Expect another re-roofing expense within 10 years. Question additional costs like skip-bin hire, edge protection, scaffolding hire and install, and any contingency costs that your re-roof could incur to see how affordable they are.
• Get Perspective - Calculate the value of your re-roof investment by dividing the total quoted amount by the warranty provided, then compare each installer. Based on each roofer’s materials and knowledge, which installer promises the best re-roof possible for your home.
• Complete Transparency - Based on your home’s roof style, location and timing with the weather the roofer should be knowledgeable enough to put two-and-two together with the correct roofing materials for the job. Equally, they need to be able to justify “why” that is the case, supported by your own research of manufacturer’s materials if need be. This is all to avoid inferior materials hurting the longevity of your roof and be aware of all of the costs associated with selecting that roofing material.
• Simply put, ask questions and get answers. This will help to uncover the “Right Installer” for you.  

Now that you found the “Right Installer”, the homeowner should consider the following:

• Average re-roof time from start to finish? On average, between 3 days to 1 week depending on the weather, and the size and complexity of the roof itself. It’s best to ask the installer to provide an estimated time frame to better understand your situation.
• Should we move out? No, because the re-roof procedure will not cause any damage to your home’s interior. Your roofer will work in sections; removing the old tiles or shingles, disposing them and then replacing each section before moving onto the next one. Just in case it rains, your home is always protected.
• How can we prepare the home for the roofer? Your roofer will handle most of the preparation, except you can help prepare by clearing areas that the roofers need access to for one. Making it easy for the roofers to easily manage the arrival and removal of roofing materials. Equally, during the construction, safety is important because of the chance of debris falling and the noise could startle any pets you own. It’s recommended that the homeowner explain to their children that they need to play inside for a few days and keep pets in a quiet room to avoid stressing them out, if possible.