updated
May 25, 2004
Putting
a Roof Overhead
Homeowners
in several Nebraska communities have found hail and wind damage
from the recent storms. Prevent costly mistakes. Evaluate
the problem and needs, select products for the job, examine
reroofing procedures and find reliable, qualified roofing
companies and persons to help prevent problems.
A bid process and contract stipulations can ease the process
from start to finish. An evaluation, before final payment
for the job, helps ensure that the roofing materials and installation
are suitable to specifications and allows time to ensure an
immediate problem can be resolved.
Finding
a Roofing Contractor
Referrals
are a good place to start or ask local builders or lumber
yard dealers who regularly work with roofing materials and
with roofing professionals. Yellow pages offer some insight
also. Interviewing two to three different contractors is suggested
along with asking for three estimates. Ask for references,
job-site locations or names of homeowners from each contractor
and follow up with those contacts.
Consider
length of time in business in the area, willingness and ability
to handle complaints quickly and fairly, completeness of estimate
offered and quality and job sites or photos shown, proper
insurance coverage, references offered, and the proposal offered.
Knowledge of the roofing materials and procedures, professional
associations and continuous updating are other things to consider.
Evaluate and hire a contractor after personal interviews,
review of estimates and selection of products through comparison
shopping and suitability for roof structure, climate and exposure
and expected durability.
The
services offered and materials included in the estimate should
specify or address the complete roof system needed such as
ventilation, waterproofing underlayment, special problem areas
of potential or past leakage, decking or replacement boards
and quality of product, removal of existing shingles, methods
to be used around roof penetrations such as chimneys and vents,
method of installation, gutters and downspouts, and cleanup.
Read
up on reroofing basics. Your job is to become knowledgeable
about types of products, underlayments, water drainage systems
and potential roof decking replacement or deck rot areas,
as well as insurance packages that protect you from worker
injuries and third person liabilities and damages resulting
form work being done. If you have flower beds or gardens and
landscaping around the house, determine how these areas will
be protected.
The
lowest bid or highest bid may not be the choice for the job.
You and your professional roofer must make the choices of
need and work processes.
Finally,
deposit requirements vary with contractors. Normally a deposit
is expected, but paying for the total job up-front is not.
A rule of thumb is the total deposit and progress payments
should be less than 75 % of the total job price with the final
installment following inspection and, if possible, a short
trial period for exposure of the roof to rain and heat or
cold weather. Make sure the price covers all materials, gutters,
ventilation, clean-up, completion date, etc.
Warranties
usually range from 20 to 40 years. However, the length of
the warranty is not as meaningful to some as coverage in the
first few years following application. This is the time, according
to contractors, when problems caused by defects are most likely
to occur.
Check
with local ordinances to determine if permits are needed prior
to starting roofing work. Ask about local building codes that
may specify a certain Underwriters Laboratory class of shingle
for fire resistance.
