No Roof Lasts Forever
Even roofs that were installed by the best roofing contractors with the best roofing materials, will eventually start to wear out from constant exposure to the elements and need to be repaired or replaced.
The roof is one of the most essential parts of your home and when problems arise they should be taken seriously and resolved immediately. Repairing damage to your roof as soon as you notice it will prevent a small issue from turning into a much larger and more expensive one.
The following are some tips and advice that we hope help you understand why we recommend finding and hiring a local roofing contractor to fix any issues that may arise on your roof.
Should I Do The Repairs Myself?
You may be pretty handy and want to try to repair your roof yourself to save some money. We are DIY-ers at heart too, but after being called to repair multiple roofs that the homeowners tried to fix themselves, we can honestly say that it will cost you more money, in the long run, to try and do the roof repairs yourself.
In addition to the cost-benefit of hiring a roofing professional, another reason we encourage you to hire a local roofing contractor is that it can be extremely dangerous for you to try and do the repairs yourself. There are many small details that, if missed or done incorrectly, can cause big and potentially life-threatening problems. A professional roofing contractor is extremely experienced and knows exactly what to look for, how to fix each unique problem correctly, and with the right tools & materials.
Potential dangers that you could encounter when trying to do the repairs are your own are falling, injuries from tools, fire and electrical hazards, strong winds and inclement weather, the list goes on. Why risk putting yourself in danger just to save a little money when you can hire a professional that does this every day?
Reasons To Hire A Professional Roofer
Besides the reasons mentioned above, such as cost savings in the long run and avoiding injury, there are more “roofing-specific” reasons why you would want to hire a roofing professional.
Roofing Systems & Materials
There are many different roofing systems and materials and each home may require certain ones. It can be difficult to know what your home needs but a roofing contractor will make sure that the right roofing system and materials is used for your home.
Proper Disposal
Roofing projects can get messy quickly. Roofing companies are prepared for this and have procedures in place for properly disposing of old materials and cleaning up the job site when they are done.
Correct Installation
A roofing contractor will install the roofing system properly and ensure that it is safe, secure, and water-tight to prevent rain and weather from getting through.
Expert Guidance & Advice
Most roofing contractors expect that the homeowner will have questions and not always know the specifics of what they need. That’s why when you hire a reputable roofing contractor you can get your questions answered and get expert advice on what exactly needs to be done to ensure you have a safe and reliable roof for your home.
What To Know Before Reaching Out To Local Roofing Companies
Before looking up the closest roofing contractor near you and hiring them, there are a few other things you may want to know before you contact anyone to come out and perform roofing work on your home.
Have An Idea Of What You Need Done
The roofing contractor will most likely ask you multiple questions about your roofing project to figure out the best course of action. Although you don’t need to have the answers to all of these questions, it’s a good idea to have a general idea of what it is that you are looking for so the roofing contractor can provide you with an accurate quote and scope of work.
Don’t Trust All Roofing Contractors
Just because someone claims to be a professional does not mean that they truly are. Unfortunately, we live in a world where there are people that are out there who make a living off scamming people. The roofing industry is known to have people and companies like that in it.
When looking into potential roofing companies to contact, here are a few things to determine if they are NOT legitimate:
- Their quote is significantly less than other roofing companies in the area
- They are not licensed, bonded, and insured.
- They have multiple complaints from past clients (you can check their reviews online as well as the Better Business Bureau website)
- They rush you into signing a contract
Remember You Have Options
There are typically many roofing companies in each city and state. You don’t have to go with the first roofing contractor you reach out to. Take the time to do your research and contact a few local roofing companies to get a feel for each one and see which one seems like a good fit for you.
Don’t solely rely on the price a contractor gives you to determine if they are the one. We understand that price is probably the most important thing for a homeowner, but we would encourage you to weigh the other factors such as a company’s reputation, track record of past work, customer service, and quality of the work done.
We recommended talking with at least 3 local roofing companies before deciding on one. This way you can get a decent baseline for price and customer service.
Ask About Their Insurance Policy
A big mistake homeowners make when hiring a roofing company is not asking about their insurance policies or warranties. Not all roofing companies automatically include insurance in the quote they provide, so you need to be sure to ask.
The type of insurance you want to be sure they have should cover both the client and the workers so that they are not liable in the event of an accident on your property during any roofing services that are performed. Making sure the company you hire has good insurance can help cover you if any unexpected issues or situations arise. Request proof of their insurance and make sure the policy up-to-date and will be valid for the duration of your project.
Warranties are also something that you will want to ask these roofing companies about. You need to know if the warranty only covers roofing materials, the work performed, or both. Additionally, the manufacturer of the roofing materials used in your project typically offers a warranty on its products that may differ from those of the contractor.
Some of the things you will want to find out about a warranty are the dollar limits, whether it is placed over the life of the roof, the life of the warranty, and the situations that may invalidate the warranty. Be sure to get a copy of the proposed warranty and store for your records.
What Should Be Included In The Contract
Before signing any contracts or written agreements, the following should clearly be stated in writing:
- Project timeline
- Scope of work
- Materials that will be used for the project
- Pricing details & payment schedule
Always get a hard copy of the contract and print it out for your own records in the event you need to reference it later in the project.
Wrapping Up!
Although the roof tends to not get much thought, it really is one of the most important parts of your home to ensure is functioning properly at all times. When the time comes to hire a roofing contractor, we hope you will consider the expert team of roofing professionals here at Magnum Roofing & Restoration to provide you with the best roof repair & roof restoration services in town. We have a proven track record of excellent work, happy customers, and offer free roof inspections for all residents in the Lutz, Florida area.
Lutz, FL
21129 Leonard Rd
Lutz, FL 33558
Phone: (813) 492-8401
Sarasota, FL
8586 Potter Park Drive
Sarasota, FL 34238
Phone: (813) 492-8401
Naples, FL
3606 Enterprise Ave
Ste 363
Naples, FL 34104
Phone: (813) 492-8401