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How do I know if my roof is damaged and needs repair?
Inside your home....among the most common signs that your roof is in need of repair is water leakage that mostly appears in the attic, or in the ceilings or on the top of walls in rooms below the attic space....water stains on walls and ceilings, sagging ceilings, unusually high heating bills, mold or mildew buildup on walls, excessive moisture on windows. If you have any of these signs, please ask your roofing inspector/estimator because a professional roofing contractor will explain these in detail.
Outside your home...common signs that your roof is in need of repair or replacement are loose or missing shingles, buckled or blistering shingles, damaged or missing chimney flashing, excessive amount of granules in gutters, wet dark spots, broken or cupped shingles, excessive moss or algae growth, soft or sagging areas on your roof...these and other signs can be discussed with your inspector/estimator.
Be sure to ask for photos of exterior roof damage if you are not able to be on the roof yourself.
How much does it cost to have someone assess my roof?
A local professional roofing company should perform a complete detailed inspection of your roof at no cost. There are roofing companies that charge for this but they are usually operating from outside of your town or area, and if they are very reputable, are willing and able to inspect your roof at your convenience, and can save you money, then they are worth paying a small mileage fee for their expertise and recommendations.
Do I need to be home to obtain an estimate?
No you don't have to be home to obtain an estimate. The necessary visuals and measurements are done from outside the home.
However, meeting with each inspector/estimator allows you to discuss any of your specific goals and any of your homes' interior problems that may impact your decision to proceed with getting a new roof.
Each inspector/estimator will have slightly different recommendations in terms of options and materials to be used, so being able to discuss them one-on-one will be to your advantage. This is also an opportunity for you to get a feel for the roofing company's representative(s) and their ability for scheduling and keeping appointments.
How much does a new roof cost?
The answer to this question is based upon many variables. From minor roof repair (ie: small area patching) to major roof replacement (ie: complete tear off and new sheeting plus shingles and vents, etc) to a brand new roof on a new home being built....the cost factors vary significantly. Some roofs need minimal cost minor repair, some need only shingle replacement which is medium priced, some need to be removed completely down to the trusses and resheeted which can be very costly but necessary. Cost factors on an average home can vary from a few hundred dollars to 10 to 20 thousand dollars and more depending on the situation.
A professional roofing contractor will give you a full and detailed complete list of all costs and why they are recommended. From PRO-TEC ROOFING LTD you can expect to be fully informed of all costs and why.
Will I need to sign a contract and/or pay a deposit for getting the work done?
A professional roofing contractor will present you with a detailed contract that fully explains and defines the work that is being done to your roof. It will also define any potential extra costs (ie: structural damage found after tearoff of old sheeting, unforeseen damages that require a building inspector as per city bylaws, etc) and that any additional costs will be on a separate contract. The contract should also outline any insurance coverage that they have so that you can rest assured that you are not liable for any damages or problems. Ask your inspector/estimator for details about their company policies regarding this.
Most roofing contractors require a deposit before they start a job, yet do not require the deposit until the contract is signed and the materials listed are to be purchased for the job. If you are at all concerned about a company that asks for the deposit, and especially if they require it well in advance of starting the job, be sure to check their credentials and affiliations with the Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, and other affiliations.
What kind of roofing materials are there, and which one is right for me?
There are several types of roofing materials and products on the market. They vary greatly in characteristics and in costs. From torch on membrane to tar and gravel, from cedar shakes to metal sheeting, from clay tile to fiberglass.....there are many types of materials used in roofing, and the number of manufacuterers of each one continues to grow. So you have a wide choice of materials and a vast range of prices available to you.
At PRO-TEC ROOFING LTD we specialize in asphalt shingles for new roofs, re-roofs, and roof repair. We have chosen this as our speciality because in our market area , and most areas in British Colulmbia, asphalt shingles are considered to be the most common in residential housing. Asphalt shingles are the most common because they are effective for our climate conditions, cost-efficient, some have built-in algae inhibitors, are aesthetically pleasing, and can be professionally installed in a relatively short period of time (which saves you money on labour costs)....and they come with excellent warranties ranging from 20 to 50 years or more depending on the manufacturer and grade.
A professional roofing inspector/estimator can provide details about what is best for your situation.
What should I know about a roofing contractor before choosing them?
You should ensure that you choose a professional and honest roofing contractor, and to do that, count on your first impression because it is a good place to start. Be certain that they impress you as being honest, and that their representatives are neat in appearance and professional in their communication. ..your own instincts are very important and trustworthy.
During the past 10 years the construction business has experienced a boom and contractors (including roofers) have been in high demand, and just because they have been in business for a number of years does not necessarily mean that they are professional and honest.....fortunately most are but there are those that are not.
Find out if they are members of the Chamber of Commerce or Home Builders' Association which will show you if they are professional in their approach to their business. Check for their full name and business address, telephone number, website domain, tax identification number, business license, insurance coverage, WCB coverage....all of which their representative should be able to provide for you.
Also watch for their advertising...are they in local papers, do their vehicles have their business name on them, do they support any local charities or groups, and do their promise anything in their ads that they do not back up?
How long does it take to have a roof installed?
The answer here depends upon the amount of work that has to be done, which should be in your estimate and contract agreement. The time varies depending upon the size of the job, the weather conditions, the location of your home, plus many other contributing factors, and most importantly how conveniently it fits into your schedule.
Our inspector/estimators will fully explain the expected time frame for doing the job for you and will ensure that it is done expediently and during a time frame that works for you.
When are roofing materials delivered and will they block any accesses?
Generally, at PRO-TEC ROOFING LTD we schedule all necessary materials to be delivered one or two days prior to the scheduled job start depending upon weather conditions and customer convenience. In most cases the materials will be loaded directly to the roof area of your home which will ensure that you have unimpeded access to your property. If there are circumstances that determine we cannot be placed on your roof at this time (ie: power lines or tree branches in the way, or if your roof has too steep a pitch, etc) we will notify you and will discuss with you the best option for the delivery of materials.
Do I need to protect any items inside my home from possible damage?
Yes, because when work is being done on your roof there can be a significant degree of vibration coming down through the framework of your home. It is recommended that you safeguard all fragile items such as chandelier glass, pictures not securely mounted on walls, heirlooms that are sitting on mantels or wall shelves, etc. Your own common sense will dictate what items need protecting or moving to a safe location, so we recommend that you take a few minutes to protect any non-replaceable items.
Once again, please ask our inspector/estimator any questions you may have regarding this concern.
Do I need to do any preparation before or clean up after?
As far as preparation goes....as stated in the previous question and answer, you should protect your valuables from vibration that can occur during work on your roof. At PRO-TEC ROOFING LTD we also request that you keep your driveway access clear during the scheduled arrival of materials and during scheduled arrival of crew and equipment .
As far as clean up goes....what often separates the proud and professional roofing companies from the others is the quality of their site cleanup at the end of the job.
We remove all roofing debris, clean out the gutter systems, and do a thorough cleaning of all the grounds and landscaping.
We also use a magnet to pick up any nails that have reached ground level to ensure the safety of your vehicle's tires.
In other words, you do not have to do any clean up after the job is done....if on the off chance that we have missed some part of the clean up we would appreciate a call so that we can immediately correct the problem.
Does the new Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) apply to roofing?
At this point in time, because all the details have not been released by the federal government, only materials and labour up to $10,000.00 on on specific renovation jobs are eligible to be claimed as a tax credit (based on 15% tax credit to a maximum of $1350.00)....the details of the HRTC regarding roofing have yet to be defined, but as soon as the details are made available we will update this answer for you.
This home depot link provides some information as well as this government link.
You may want to speak to an accountant for advice or contact your local MP to determine more details.
How do we afford to repair our roof in today's economic confusion and uncertainty?
It is very true that in today's economic conditions where credit is tight and uncertainty seems to be everywhere, making the decision to upgrade or repair your roof can be difficult and confusing.
What we can tell you is that not repairing a damaged roof now can be much more costly later, because if left unrepaired there will definitely be increased damage done, plus the longer you leave excess moisture in your home the more chance for potential health problems for you and your family.
We do suggest that you start with a FREE detailed inspection and estimate from us, then speak with your financial institution to explain your needs and to determine the affordability....the best protection you can have in today's economic confusion and uncertainty is well informed accurate knowledge.
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