What To Consider Before Getting A New Roof
Here a few factors to consider: 1) Your roof is old. 2) Materials usually last between 12 and 20 years, depending on climate conditions. 3) Maybe your roof has been reroofed before without removing the first layer of shingles. 4) You’ve looked up to see cracked, curled or missing shingles or experienced a leak or two on the inside of the house.
So, you called a roofer to confirm your worst fears. What now?
Most Homeowners Know All Too Well When It Is Time To Get a New Roof
Do a Little Homework First
Learn about the various aspects of a roof and what roofing materials are commonly available. This is a significant investment. If you were buying a car, you’d be browsing sites to better understand your choices and purchase options. The roofer can help you determine the best material for your location and roof slope, but you’ll ask more relevant questions and get better answers if you are informed beforehand.
Solar?
In that same vein, if you’ve been considering solar, this would be the time to do some research. Many communities within Marin and Sonoma counties are perfect environments to support solar. Some roofs may need a bit of extra support, depending on the solar panels, so find that out first. A solar broker could help get you the answers you need to coordinate solar with your new roof.
Landscaping might be something you take for granted. However, if you have expensive landscaping, be sure to ask about it when you do estimates. Determine how a roofer will ensure your landscaping is protected during the roof replacement process.
Get Estimates
Next you’ll want at least three estimates. Get some recommendations from friends or neighbors about roofers in your area. This is not the time to go with the handyman down the street who’d be happy to replace your roof at half the price of a licensed professional. When getting an estimate, ask questions about the roofer’s experience, insurance coverage, whether they use subcontractors for any part of the work, like replacing gutters, and if they have current worker’s comp. Another thing to keep in mind is ensuring that your estimates are for comparable products and services. Roofing materials can vary quite a bit in composition, warranty and price.
Get your estimate in writing and be sure to ask for a detailed contract from the roofer you finally decide upon. When you read it, if you have any further questions, be sure to get them resolved before signing and moving forward.
How Long Will It Take?
The actual number of days it will take to replace your roof will depend on several things. The size and accessibility of the roof area, the state of the materials under the outer roof and whether any portion needs replacement, and the slope of the roof. Replacing a roof can take anywhere from a day or two to upwards of a week. Of course, the weather can also have an impact.
What may take much longer, however, is getting slotted into the roofing company’s schedule. Between COVID-19, the extremely poor air quality due to the currently raging wildfires and the backlog of jobs due to the rebuilding efforts of homes taken by the last several year’s wildfires, you may have to wait awhile.
Prepare Before The Workers Arrive
Once you do get a firm date, get prepared. If you are like many Californians, you live a fair amount of time outside, enjoying your yard, garden, or patio area. Make sure you move your outdoor furniture away from the house before the workers arrive.
Be prepared to deal with a lot of activity and noise during the duration of the roofing work. Tearing the old roofing material off makes noise, with workers on the roof throwing the debris into a receptacle box. Securing all the layers of the new roof is also full of activity and noise. In the end, it will all be worth it.
If you have questions or would like to book an appointment for an estimate, call today. Marin: 415-924-2733 or Sonoma: 707-586-2656.