This past winter was pretty tough on the homes in my area. We received a ton of snow during February. In fact, I believe the local weather folks said that our total for the month was more than we usually get during the entire winter. Once we made our way out of that cold and nasty month, the weather turned much milder, but the damage to houses was already done for the most part. I've been seeing tons of roofing work going on over the past month. Much more than I usually do at this time of year.
We have known for a while that we needed to get a new roof. The current one is the original that was slapped on in 1962 using the cheapest materials available as they threw up entire neighborhoods in this area over the space of a couple of years. A very nasty little storm that blew through around the end of April knocked off several shingles and encouraged us to set the wheels in motion on getting our roof replaced.
If you have never had a new roof put on your home, but are thinking about it, you should realize that it is not an inexpensive project. Depending on what needs done, it can be quite expensive. It is also not the type of job that you will want to take on as a do it yourself project if you are not qualified and experienced. There is a lot of work involved and the materials are not cheap. This is why you should definitely take the time to get as many estimates as you possibly can before giving any roofing company your business.
Contractors are not created equal. It would be great if we could just automatically expect fair pricing for quality work, but that does not always happen. When we were selling our previous house, we needed to get a new roof before it would sell. One roofing company we got a bid from had people on their payroll that did nothing by sales and estimates. The guy who showed up was very much a salesman. I'll always remember him saying that we should chain him to the picnic table before he escaped after he gave us his fabulous offer. It turned out that his company was, by far, the most expensive of the ones who submitted bids. Seriously, they were about $3000 more than the nearest contractor. What amazes me is that this company keeps getting work at their inflated rates. The work they do is adequate, from what I've seen, but I honestly don't see how it is worth the extra that they charge. I can only assume that the people who hire them really enjoy the salesman's friendly banter and they don't even bother getting other estimates.
Most quality roofing companies will offer free estimates. Take them up on the offer and pay attention to how they treat you from the time you first contact their business. If alarm bells start going off as they try to hurry you into a contract, get their offer and then move on. Likewise, if they only seem interested in pushing you to the next (more expensive) option, take a step back. Don't let them pressure you into agreeing on anything until you have all of the information you want from several contractors.
Ask to see examples of work they have done in the area. Most will be happy to let you see what they can do for you. Also, ask friends and family for the names of anyone they were happy with. One caveat here is that you should probably think twice about hiring friends or family to do the job. If you don't like the results, you could find yourself in a sticky situation.
As you meet with contractors, ask them a ton of questions about what their work will include. Be very careful when it comes to the cost of replacing wood. Some companies will tell you that they will replace bad wood at some specific price per square foot. Realize that one sheet of wood that measures 4' x 6' will contain 24 square feet! That one can add up in a hurry. It is possible that your roofers will find unexpected damage when they get into the project, find out what the extra materials and labor are going to cost you if they do find something.
Finally, make sure that you see all of the required insurance data from the company. Trying to save by getting yourself a fly by night roofing crew could cost you dearly if something goes wrong. A quality company should have all of their qualifications and insurance information at the ready for you to inspect.
Getting a new roof on your home can really improve the look of your property. It is a major job though and it deserves to be taken seriously. The small amount of time you put into doing the proper research and getting estimates can save you thousands of dollars and tons of grief down the line. Get as many free roofing estimates as you can with as many details as you can. You will be glad you did in the end.
