What is your installation
schedule?
You need to know the schedule of the company you are considering, however,
top quality contractors are often very busy - especially in the summer
months. Sometimes, it makes sense to wait for the busiest and best
installation company. One suggestion is to plan ahead. Many homeowners that
are not currently experiencing any roof leaks are able to plan their
improvement project a few months in advance.
Do you have Worker's
Compensation and General Liability Insurance?
Can you provide a Certificate of Insurance from your insurance provider?
You should only consider doing business with contractors who carry full
coverage for both worker's compensation and liability policies, including
completed operations coverage. You should require that their insurance
provider mail a Certificate of Insurance directly to your home.
Will any roofing system lower my
homeowner's insurance premium?
Some roofing systems may lower your insurance premium. However, there are
many variables including the type of roof you currently have, the policy you
have and the specifications from your insurance company. You should contact
your Insurance Agent for a list of materials that qualify for a premium
discount.
How long will my roof installation
take?
The average roof replacement should require approximately 2-3 days. Factors
that could affect this include the size of your home, the number of existing
layers that must be removed, and the accessibility of the roof for loading
materials either by loading vehicle or by hand. A roofing consultant should
be able to give you an accurate estimate regarding the amount of time
required for your installation.
Do you clean up every day?
Roof materials and corresponding debris should be picked up each day. The
final clean up process should involve sweeping the grounds of your home with
a magnet to remove loose nails.
Will you tear off my entire roof
at once?
Except for small jobs that can be completed in one day, the entire roof
should never be removed at one time. Each day a staff supervisor and crew
foreman should decide the areas of your roof to be removed and replaced that
day based on the size of your home and the weather forecast. At no point in
the project should your home be left "open to the weather" overnight.
How do you protect my home if it
rains overnight?
Each evening your home should be properly covered with new roof materials in
areas that were removed that day. In the event of surprise weather your
contractor should have tarps and large rolls of plastic on hand to cover the
areas of your roof that have not yet been replaced.
How will you protect my
landscaping?
Protection around the home should be designed based on your home's specific
situation. Plywood, tarps and other protection should be placed to minimize
and control the roof debris during removal and installation.
Do I need extra ventilation?
A contractor should be able to measure your home properly to determine and
recommend the type and amount of ventilation your home needs.
Do you replace all metals?
Replacing all flashing on a roof replacement is necessary for the roof
system to function properly. Be sure your contractor addresses metal
flashing replacement in the proposal.
Do my gutters have to be removed?
In most cases the gutters do not need to be removed. With the proper
precautions a roof can be replaced without damaging the gutters.
How long is my warranty on
workmanship? Materials?
Each contractor should specify warranty terms in the proposal. Most Labor
Warranties cover Five Years. Most contractors provide Five Year Material
Warranties in addition to the warranties provided by the material
manufacturer. Manufacturer’s Warranties range from Twenty Years to Limited
Lifetime Warranties. The most important component of the Workmanship
Warranty rests in the contractor still being in business should you have a
claim.
