what questions to ask when replacing your roof

If you're looking to hire a covering contractor (and if you lot're anything like our friends and family), then I'thou certain y'all want to practice the chore One time, correct? Roofing isn't a fun job to do twice considering the procedure tin quickly accept upward lots of your valuable time and hard-earned money…

The high cost of replacing your roof the wrong way is very loftier (more on this in a second). It's one of the well-nigh expensive domicile remodeling projects you'll ever take on! So with this beingness true I'm sure we can agree that as a homeowner y'all need to practice everything in your power to make certain you lot hire an experienced contractor the very offset time y'all supervene upon your roof.

The most efficient way to exercise this is by doing your due diligence during the contractor research and roof approximate process.

Our goal in writing this commodity is to make the inquiry and estimate process much easier for you considering consider the cost of replacing your roof thewrong fashion only ane fourth dimension.In this scenario, you'd be forced to re-roof your firm once again only a few years afterward because of avoidable mistakes made by the contractor you lot hired originally:

Large bucks just a few years later. Especially because the figures above don't factor in the iii%+ yearly increase in roof prices or the cost of real damages that lead y'all need a 2nd roof in the first place.

Once again, the easiest mode to avoid these headaches is to have time preparing for getting your first set up of covering estimates.

Sounds unproblematic, only it's 1 of the key steps most homeowners miss. They're more concerned about how much the roof will toll- the estimate itself- than they are near whether or non the roofer will install your roofing system using industry all-time practice and manufacturer guidelines. This includes not just ridge vent installation, simply likewise materials like synthetic underlayment and more. Depending on the shape of your roof, y'all may need a different type of roof ventilation system.

Roofing can go confusing, so we've put together this list of hole-and-corner questions to ask roofing contractors over the telephone in order to assist yous not only choose the right roofing company, but to assist you save time along the way.

BTW: You may be wondering why this is a list of questions to ask over the phone, instead of in-person. We suggesting starting your roof replacement procedure this mode because of the large fault we encounter many Millennial and Generation X homeowners making time and time again equally they prepare to re-roof their abode. Feel costless to employ these questions for contractors when hiring a roof deck builder in Boston, Massachusetts, or any other location as well. Much like covering, edifice a rooftop patio is a large project with many consequences of not doing itthe right style.

Tabular array of Contents

• The large mistake many homeowners make while getting roofing estimates…
  • We suggest a simple pre-screening of roofing contractors over the phone.
• Step #1: Determine A Roofer's Credibility With These 3 Simple Questions
  • Question #1: What is your legal business organisation proper noun?
  • Question #2: What level of roofing insurance do you have?
  • Question #3: Who will be on the job site during my covering installation?
• Step #2: Pre-Screen For Ethical Roofers Using These 4 Questions
  • Question #4: Can yous exit the roof estimate in my mailbox?
  • Question #v: What is your roofing cost per square foot?
  • Question #6: Can yous do a layover instead of a full roof replacement?
    • What is a covering layover?
    • Why is a "roofing layover" bad for your roof?
    • Practice you know how heavy shingles are?
  • Question #7: Does the roof calculator really need to come inside my firm?
    • Why a roofer needs to come up inside your abode…
    • But what if you don't have an attic space?

The big error many homeowners make while getting roofing estimates…

Present, information technology's piece of cake to get a roofing contractor to your business firm. All you have to do is plug your name into a website and you'll sentry dozens of contractors compete for your business.

For most homeowners, this feels like a great thing…

Contest generally ways a win for consumers, right?

Nosotros wish it was truthful, but unfortunately, this model doesn't favor homeowners in the long run. In fact, getting lots of estimates makes choosing a credible, ethical roofer extremely difficult because with so many options, at that place's far too much data involved in the determination-making process.

Taking a look at Yelp solitary:

397 roofers in Boston, co-ordinate to Yelp. And whether or not Yelp is trustworthy, the number of roofers in Boston is still extremely loftier compared to other parts of the country.

As a homeowner, it's simply too much information to sift through…

Remembering important details similar warranty length and installer certifications becomes impossible, and this is where most homeowners cull their roofer based how much the installation itself will cost.

How can you protect yourself from information overload?

Nosotros suggest a simple pre-screening of roofing contractors over the phone.

This will help you! And if yous read until the end of this article, you'll know exactly which questions to ask then you lot can best relieve time, coin, and energy as yous prepare to become your roof replaced.

Making sure you lot have the right roofers over for estimates comes down to 7 steps, which we've separated into two separate steps below.

Step #1 helps you make up one's mind whether or not a roofer is even credible,.

Step #2 helps pre-screen for ethics; because finding an ethical roofer is just every bit of import as hiring an experienced one.

Allow'southward get started…

Step #1: Determine A Roofer's Brownie With These iii Simple Questions

Earlier you even consider a roofer's toll, yous demand to make certain they're credible. This is beyond important in protecting yourself from getting a bad installation.

Though there are many questions you could enquire, we recommend using these three during your telephone screening:

Question #1: What is your legal business organization name?

Getting a roofer's legal business name is particularly important present because of how piece of cake it is to falsely represent yourself online. A lilliputian detective work can become a long way in your pursuit of hiring the right contractor.

Answers yous can accept:

• The verbal name they're marketing themselves as
• Our legal visitor name is Ten, but we're 'doing business as' Y (as is the case with Roof Hub)
• We market ourselves as 'Covering Company', just our legal business organisation proper noun is Covering Company LLC or Roofing CompanyInc

Don't accept answers that audio hesitant, or are unclear. This is the easiest style to guard against being scammed. When in doubt, inquire for proof! No roofer should have trouble emailing you a copy of state licenses or proof of insurance (explained in question #two beneath).

Using this data, you can search for their business organisation in land and federal directories to ensure they even exist. If they don't, then y'all may be dealing with a 'fly by night' contractor who's out to either steal your eolith or install lower quality materials than you paid for.

For case, Roof Hub'southward official company name is F&B Remodeling, LLC. Nosotros'redoing business organization every bitRoof Hub, which is perfectly legal and oftentimes encouraged for Limited Liability Companies. You tin see that our LinkedIn company folio matches the "doing business concern every bit" proper noun.

Searching for us in the Massachusetts corporation search returns this:

Question #2: What level of roofing insurance do you have?

Roofing insurance can get tricky as many states may require different levels of insurance depending on what type of contractor you are.

In Massachusetts roofing contractors are required to have at least $1,000,000 in general liability insurance in order to legally operate in the state. Rhode Isle's full general liability requirements for remodeling contractors are half ($500,000)

To effigy out what level of insurance is needed in your state, head over to Google, blazon in "[YOUR STATE] roofing insurance requirements," and so cull a result from your state'south official website. You'll desire a .gov website to exist sure, not a .com or cyberspace. Using Massachusetts as an case, the site is "mass.gov."

Answers y'all tin accept:

• • An exact friction match, or an corporeality exceeding the minimum land requirements
  • A copy of the company's liability policy sent via email later on the telephone telephone call

Don't accept answers that are indecisive, hesitant, or don't friction match local, state, and/or federal requirements. Even if the company doesn't have insurance, it's easy to respond "yes, we have insurance." Giving an verbal amount is harder, which is why we recommend asking this style.

If a roofer is hesitant over the telephone when you lot inquire this question, information technology isa reddish flag, merely they may non be lying. If then, you don't demand to rule them out right abroad. Just ask for them to email you a copy of their insurance liability policy.

Question #three: Who volition exist on the job site during my roofing installation?

If you're hiring a reputable roofing contractor, there's a proficient hazard they may have more than than one roofing project going on in one day.

Just if the company possessor isn't going to be on your property during the install, then who's going to be around to ensure the project goes smoothly?

Don't panic!

Many larger roofing companies have a "projection managing director" whose sole focus is to make certain your roof is being installed in accordance to both local laws and manufacturer guidelines.

And then if the manager or possessor of the visitor won't be present during 'install twenty-four hour period,' it'south important that an experienced projection director will exist.

This is an like shooting fish in a barrel question to ask any roofer over the telephone.

Answers you tin can take:

• • • Possessor of the roofing company
    • Managing director of the company
    • Project manager trained by the system

Don't take this for an answer: "Our roofers are very experienced, so they don't need supervision." While it IS important to have experienced roofers on your crew, an efficient installation will only happen if there's an industry skilful in charge.

Roofing is complex, and so if there's "nobody running the show," a modest problem can easily turn your roofing project into 1 you read near in the newspaper.

The three questions (mentioned above) for establishing a roofer's credibility don't seem too hard-hitting, practise they? That's because they don't need to be. Recall: these three questions are for pre-screening. The adjacent four will help drill downwardly to whether or non you should take the roofer out for the judge…

After that, you'll get prices. Then, information technology'southward your correct as a homeowner to compare all the facts and make a judgement telephone call. Only first, allow'south tackle the side by side iv questions you'll need to ask roofers when you telephone call for an estimate:

Footstep #2: Pre-Screen For Upstanding Roofers Using These 4 Questions

Ethics are a slippery slope because everyone views them differently. What's "okay to do" in one homeowner's optics is the worst thing in the world from another homeowner's indicate of view. For case; some Massachusetts homeowners have chosen Roof Hub because nosotros have a projection manager on-site during the install. This 100% guarantees there won't be any drinking or smoking by roofers on the property. Other homeowners however, could intendance less…

We've had homeowners try tossing our roofers beer from the ground while they were in the middle of an install!

Regardless of whether or non yous want to beverage with our crew, we assume you DO desire to choose a roofer who acts ethically.

Formal definition of "covering ethics" bated:

At the end of the day, you want to choose a contractor who has YOUR best interests at middle!

Hither are iv questions you tin can inquire any roofer over the phone as a "pre-screen" for whether or not they're operating ethically. Please go on in mind that these questionsarea big more difficult-hit than the three above. This is by pattern. Ask each question exactly how it'southward written below and you'll uncover more enough data to make sure you lot're having the best contractors possible to your home for a written guess.

Question #4: Tin can you exit the roof estimate in my mailbox?

If a roofer agrees to leaving your estimate in the mailbox or agrees to only "drop it off," then information technology may be a proficient thought to dart in the reverse direction! Sounds counter-intuitive, here'due south why:

About roofers get away with dropping estimates off because it'due south what homeowners desire! Nearly homeowners like yous and I are using this method to gather a agglomeration of estimates so we tin compare, dissimilarity, and choose the best deal. Makes senses, but this plan unfortunately backfires because in the long run.

Getting a simply price on a slice of newspaper does Y'all a disservice because yous lost the opportunity to ask whatsoever questions about the company, product, or installation practices. And as we've discussed higher up, y'all Demand this information in order to make an informed determination when hiring your contractor.

Leaving an estimate in your mailbox is a terrifying proposition for the roofing visitor too considering theymay non even exist able to complete the job!Nosotros'll explain why in question #7…

Answers you can take:

• No, because nosotros may need to enquire you questions.
• No, because you'll need to choose which materials you prefer so the approximate is accurate.
• No, because depending on what we find exterior wemaydemand to inspect your attic.

Don't accept answers thatallow a roofing contractor just to drop off an approximate in your mailbox considering the toll they leave may increase when materials change, or if more work needs to be washed than was originally expected.

Experienced local roofers know amend than to merely drop off an estimate… So if you lot ask a roofer to "exit it in the mailbox" and they agree, then plow the page and dial up another contractor. It's a alarm sign you just can't ignore. Your home'southward health depends on it!

Question #5: What is your roofing price per square foot?

Like the question above, this question helps uncover unethical, inexperienced, or lazy roofers who are merely trying to get your business regardless of the cost.

Request this question over the phone volition salvage you time by protecting against contractors who "race to the bottom" based on cost alone. These unethical business organisation practices aid contractors win jobs in the short term, but ultimately set the roofing business up for failure. In these cases, unexpected costs can ruin profit. And if the contractor fails to make a profit, then information technology'southward ultimately You who pays because they won't be around long enough to honor a warranty.

Roof pricing is complex, especially in the Boston area where Roof Hub is located.

Lots of factors that become into how much your roof will cost, including:

• • • Current market price of roofing materials
    • Number of square (estimate roof size)
    • Age of roof
    • Pitch of roof
    • # of layers on existing roof
    • Known bug
    • Condition of the shingles
    • Condition of the wood decking

And many more than…

Important: if many factors become into determining the cost of a new roof, and then shouldn't you lot choose a roofer who's able to both explain each factor? Don't you want a roofing company to holistically determine your roof's health before putting a price tag on it'south replacement?

We think so… Which is why we factor in all of the to a higher place when determining how much new roofs cost in Massachusetts.

Answers yous can acceptinclude ones that take many factors into consideration. You'll want a roofer who prices your roof from a holistic point of view considering information technology shows they're acting ethically and are pricing the job from an experienced indicate of view.

Don't accept answers thatconsider just one factor. You don't desire to hire a roofer who only prices your roof based on it'due south pitch, how many layers it has, or even how big it is (size). This is a recipe for disaster because it non only allows lots of room for error, merely leaves you as a homeowner open for surprises on install mean solar day, when you're about vulnerable.

When speaking with roofers over the phone, make certain the roofer is speaking from a holistic point of view and knows that in that location a variety of factors that determine how much your roof costs. If they have a one-track listen, it ways they won't exist prepared if there are any setbacks during the installation.

Question #6: Can you do a layover instead of a full roof replacement?

Another quick test to determine whether or not you're dealing with an ethical, reputable covering service is to ask for a "layover." This is a trick question, so information technology's of import that you ask exactly how it'southward written above.

What is a roofing layover?

A roofing layover is when the roofer nails new shingles directly over your existing shingles instead of outset taking them off. Laying one layer directly over the other.

Important: If the roofing contractor answers "Yes, we tin can do a layover instead of a full roof replacement!" so information technology may be a sign that they're just out to make a buck considering this practice tin can be detrimental to your roof's health.

Why is a "covering layover" bad for your roof?

Think about why y'all're looking to replace your roof in the commencement identify…

Most probable, it's considering at that place's something wrong! And if this is the example, then why cover it upwardly? Covering upwards your existing issues with a roof layover won't protect your for long, if at all, and in many cases will practise more harm than practiced in the brusque term.

If your roof has signs of water damage like moss or lichen, and then fugitive a layover is even more important. Adding a layer of shingles on acme of a roof that already has water damage will encourage the moss or lichen to fester, spread, and break down both the old and new layer of shingles. Definitely not a good use of your remodeling budget…

On elevation of the issues festering, a layover takes abroad your ability to really know what'due south going on on your roof because you tin no longer see the impairment.

Practice you know how heavy shingles are?

HEAVY! Like, really heavy…

Stiff architectural shingles from well-known manufacturers like GAF and Tamko can counterbalance up to 350 pounds per square!

This 350 lb. number speedily starts to chemical compound up on your roof considering a foursquare of covering is equal to 100 square feet. If your roof is an average size of 1800 square feet, then ONE layer of shingles weighs at least 6,000 pounds… and that's just the second layer!

If yous're living in Massachusetts, take a step back from this article and actually think well-nigh two, or even three layers of shingles on your roof combined with snowfall during ane of our boilerplate Feb months.

Answers yous can accept,especially if you're living in New England, should only include a "no" when you ask for a layover.

Don't accept answers thatlet for any type of layover because although you'll relieve money in the brusk-term, the long term downsides (including exponentially increasing your chance of a cavern-in) are far greater.

Please annotation: any roofer could practice a layover on your roof, but it doesn't mean they SHOULD. Particularly in cold climates similar Massachusetts, an ethical roofer will advise you to strip the shingles first so your roof isn't at greater hazard of plummet during heavy snowfall. They'll be able to explain exactly why a layover is bad, also. All you should have to do is choice up the phone and ask!

Question #7: Does the roof estimator really need to come up within my firm?

It's mutual to think of a roofer and picture show a truck with ladders stacked high, barreling down the highway. Simply as applied science improves, many covering companies are moving in a different direction…

Gone are the days of speeding effectually to drop off a bunch of estimates before heading habitation after a long day of covering. Nowadays, many reputable local roofers have an expert squad dedicated to performing small-calibration inspections and estimates for homeowners all day long. As a result, what really goes into a roofing estimate has drastically changed over the last few years! And it'south inverse for the do good of YOU, the homeowner!

Why a roofer needs to come within your home…

Roofers should come inside your dwelling for an approximate then they can audit the attic space, specially if there are signs of water damage (moss, lichen, etc) on the outside of the roof. Non doing and so can effect in thousands and thousands of dollars in surprise charges on install day…

Nosotros know this because our team of expert roofers has given thousands of pocket-size-scale roof inspections over the final 10 years. Even so, not all roofing companies are experienced inspecting attic spaces. A precaution y'all can take before even getting a roofing estimate is to hire a professional attic inspection service like Tiger Home Inspection.

Professional attic inspection companies will give you an unbiased stance on what's going on upwards at that place and how it affects your home. Though this option does add costs to your roofing project, for many homeowners it is worth the peace of mind if the roofing company your choosing did not conduct at least a small-scale scale attic inspection.

But what if you don't accept an attic space?

If you lot don't have an attic space, letting a qualified roofer inside your home is that much more than important! A trained covering eye tin can quickly spot pocket-sized cracks and stains along your interior walls or on your ceilings. These are tell-tale signs of a leak and such a discovery MUST be taken seriously.

Answers you can haveinclude only those that require the estimator to come up inside your abode. If the roofing service your speaking with over the phone does not brand this a priority, and so only hire them if they require you rent a professional attic inspection before they consummate the job.

Don't accept answers thatonly consider exterior roof damage similar curling shingles or moss. In many cases, covering systems thatlookokay from the outside are riddled with interior harm that is far more than important to your home's health than interior impairment ever would exist.

As you can see, the 7 questions above are far from a consummate list. They should exist used simply as a guide and in combination with your gut feeling of a given roofer's ethics and brownie. If a state of affairs doesn't quite feel correct or you lot recall a roofer is "trying to pull a fast one" on yous, and so nosotros ever suggest playing it condom and choosing someone else.

Choosing who replaces your roof is one of the well-nigh important decisions you'll ever make for your home. A roof installed poorly will cause more headaches than yous tin can imagine, often years down the road when the contractor is out of business.

And at present that you lot've chosen contractors to come give you an gauge, y'all'll need to exist prepared for the adjacent step in the roofing procedure; call a few and get started! Permit us know if yous have any questions, or would like to take u.s.a. out for an guess! Our telephone number is (857) 237-7648.

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Source: https://myroofhub.com/hiring-contractors/questions-to-ask-roofing-contractors-over-phone/

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