Summer might be the season of swimming and barbecues, of warm nights and long, lazy weekends, but if you’re a homeowner, it is also the prime time to replace your roof.
Installing a new roof is a considerable undertaking, and if you’re considering booking repairs in the coming months, here are four things you need to know before getting started.
1. Roofing is Not a DIY Job
The first and most important thing to understand about re-roofing your house is that, unless you have first-hand experience working in the industry, trying to replace a roof on your own is a bad idea.
This is not only because roofing is difficult and sometimes even dangerous work, but also because to successfully re-roof a house requires specialized knowledge of how the different aspects of a roof system — from ventilation and ice and water shield to flashing and fascia — come together.
Your roof is one of the essential components in your home, so don’t take any chances: get a professional roofer to handle the job for you.
2. Find a Contractor Who Has Experience Working on Your Kind of Roof
From flat roofs to steeply pitched roofs and cedar shake to PVC, there are many different roof styles and materials.
If you want your new roof to last for years and provide your home with maximal protection, you’ll need to find a trusted roofing contractor, someone who has experience working on your kind of roof and can provide you with good advice about materials and can handle any unexpected challenges that might arise.
3.Installing a New Roof is an Opportunity for Upgrades
Installing a new roof is an invasive, noisy, and potentially time-consuming process, so if you’re going to have the work done, it’s not a bad idea to consider whether it might not be the right time to have related work done.
For example, if you’ve ever considered having a skylight installed, re-roofing can be the perfect opportunity to do so. Since the roof is already being opened up, the extra installation work is faster and less disruptive than otherwise, and many roofing companies offer skylight installation services.
You might also want to consider practical upgrades like improved attic ventilation or better gutters.
4. Understand the Fine Print
Re-roofing your house is probably one of the biggest and most expensive maintenance projects you’ll ever undertake, so make sure you have a contract before work begins, have received a building permit, and have made sure that the roofer’s insurance company is covering the project.
This will make sure that you aren’t liable for any accidents that might occur, that your warranty will be recognized and that the contractor’s obligation to you is clearly spelled out.
Putting a new roof on your house can seem like a daunting task, but if your warranty is about to expire, or if you’re noticing leaks, water damage, or broken shingles, then it’s better to start the repairs sooner rather than later.
Before you begin, however, you need to find a reliable contractor who can advise you on the best way to proceed and can handle the work reliably and professionally.
