Responsibilities of Roofing Contractors

The roofing contractors also go by the name of roof mechanics, replacement, and/or repair experts for residential and/or commercial buildings. These experts are responsible for determining the labor and cost requirements for a particular roofing project, providing a rough estimate to their clients, and getting the job done.

Without a doubt, the roof is the most important characteristic of any construction. It holds the entire building together and defines its structure. Hence, the planning stage is the most crucial.

Since, the roof is an integral part of any home, its maintenance, and cleaning are of the utmost importance. However, you must hire a credible, licensed, and experienced roofer for the construction of your roof.

What Does A Roofing Contractor Do?

A roofing contractor is an individual who is basically responsible for constructing a particular kind of roof such as installing shingles, asphalt, or doing the necessary repairs. The roof forms an integral layer on which the foundation of the house depends.

To make sure that the roof’s durability is not compromised, the roofing construction must be done by an experienced individual. Hence, it is imperative that you know about the job description and the responsibilities of your roofer.

We will help you in this regard. Continue reading till then.

1.   Diagnosing And Inspecting The Damages

Most roofers get to work on houses that are old, at least some decades old. Not all roofing projects are new. Hence, the windows, flooring, plumbing, electrical wiring, etc require a thorough inspection. The old houses are likely to have hidden damages in the roof.

So, when you are hiring a roofing contractor, keep the below pro-tips in mind:

Hire someone with experience

When it comes to roofing, do not compromise on the experience of your roofer. Experience speaks louder than all certifications and degrees.

Get cost estimates

Right during the first meeting, ask your contractor to give you a cost estimate that includes the labor cost, material, project time completion.

Stick to a local contractor

It is important you hire someone locally, as they know the topography and the climate that can influence the condition of your roof. Your contractor must know what works according to your area’s climate.

Verify the insurance and the license

It is imperative that you ask for proof of insurance and an original copy of the license from your contractor. This shows that the person handling your roof is legit and has passed the necessary examination from the authorities. 

2.   Constructing The Roof

The types of roofers are diverse. When you go out in the market, you will find roofers under every category according to the roofing type specialty and the category of work such as commercial or residential.

Long-lasting requires an individual who does not have a height phobia. The roof construction after all requires the person to climb heights. Only an individual with no such medical problem can work in the field.

3.   Installing The Solar Panels And Insulation Equipment

Since the solar panels and the insulation equipment are installed on the roof, only an experienced roofer can handle its intricacies. The strength of the roof is imperative in determining the installation of solar equipment. An old roof with compromised integrity cannot handle the load of solar equipment.

Moreover, you need to put some thought into insulating your home. During the freezing winter season, insulation will play an important role in keeping your utilities within the budget by increasing the efficiency of your home.

4.   Conducting The Necessary Repairs And Replacements

Usually, when a roof begins to drip during the monsoon season, the homeowners go into a panic mode and immediately think about installing a new roof. The best advice in this regard can only be given by a roofing expert. He may inspect your roof and recommend small repairs rather than a complete replacement.

The inspection stage is important, it gives your insight into the actual condition of your roof, and helps you make a decision regarding its repairs. Even if your roof needs replacing, the roofer may recommend a durable type that can withstand the climate of your location.

Do not select a roof based on aesthetics. Focus on functionality as well. After all, the job of a roof is to provide protection.

In The End

The homeowner works their entire life and spends their hard-earned savings in establishing a roof over their heads. However, expert opinion in this regard is equally important. Whenever in donut regarding your roof and its condition, always consult a reliable roofing contractor and expert. 

Top Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractor

Selecting the right roofing contractor is no easy feat. You may have a catastrophic roof above your head with multiple leaks, missing shingles, broken tiles, and whatnot. Hiring someone who is not competent may result in a further disaster.

Hence, it is imperative you hire a credible expert by asking certain professional roofing contractors FAQs right during the first meeting.

It is not uncommon for homeowners to be unaware of what makes a roofing contractor credible in the market. But a certain list of right questions asked at the right time can save you from tons of trouble later on.

General Questions For a Roofing Contractors

In general, the following are some of the important questions that you should ask every roofer that you visit on your list:

1. How long have you been working in the roofing market?
2. Is your business local?
3. Who is the owner of the business? Do you work with third-party contractors?
4. What projects you are currently working on? Can you please show me?
5. Who is the person who will be working on my roof? Is the person your employee or a third-party contractor? Can I see their past work and talk to the previous clients?
6. What are the certifications and pieces of training of your employees and team? Do they have training from the owner?
7. Can you provide me a contact of your previous customers?
8. How soon can you start my project?
9. What time estimate can you give me for the completion of my project?
10. Can you show me proof of your original licensing and insurance? Are your employees and crew members all insured?
11. Do you need a construction permit to work in my building? Will you be obtaining this permit on your own?
12. How do you ensure the safety of your workers?
13. How would you ensure the safety of my family members and my home?
14. What cost estimate can you give me for my project?

 

Once you have asked the general set of questions, you need to set the road for the actual project. If you feel comfortable in the first meeting and are satisfied with the contractor’s answers, then you can move ahead ask specific and particular questions related to your project.

Let’s see what can some of the specific questions be.

Questions For a Specific Roofing Project

Here is a list of specific roofing project questions that you must ask your roofing contractors:

1. What is the method through which you will gain access to my roof?
2. How will you get rid of any damaged materials from my roof? Will you keep a rental dumpster? Is the cost of the dumpster included in the project?
3. How will you ensure that the gutters around my home do not choke?
4. What are the steps that you will take in case of bad weather?
5. Can you give me written guarantees/warranties of your workers and the materials that you will be using? When can I see this document?
6. Will you use the entire kit of the roofing materials as given by the manufacturer? Can you show me the proof of the kit being used?
7. What are the measures you will take to ensure the safety of the property?
8. Does my plywood need to be replaced? If so, then how?
9. How much will the plywood replacement cost?
10. Who will I be contacting from your company? Will this person be accessible all the time during the duration of the project?
11. Can you give me a written document containing the specifications of my project?
12. Who will oversee my roof installation project?
13. Can you use my old flashings? Or do you need new ones?
14. Are there any damaged areas on the roof that you need to seal?
15. How will you cater to the pipe penetrations?
16. What is the mode of payment? Is it done in installments? How much do you take in advance?
17. What are the factors that can deviate the project from the original cost?
18. Will you check the decking of my roof? What procedure will you use? H
19. Does my old roof need complete replacement?
20. Is the ventilation of my roof proper or are there any pieces of evidence of improper ventilation?
21. Does my attic need ventilation? How will you evaluate the condition of ventilation in the attic? Are there any leaks in my attic or high levels of moisture? How will you rectify these issues?
22. Can you please give me your tax credit details?

Roofing FAQs – What Everyone Wants to Know

If you are wondering, how will you put a final list of questions together, then the most ideal approach is to evaluate the condition of your roof. Take a walk a few times around, use binoculars if necessary, and take notes on how your roof looks like.

You can even use satellite images around your area to assess the condition of your roof. Go stand in the upper windows and observe the lower areas of your roof. Also, see how and where the falling debris from your roof is collected.

In case of extreme weather conditions, such as heavy monsoon rainfall, check for any growth of mildew and mold. If there is mold infestation, it is an indication that something could have been constructed better in the roof. Or it may simply show that your roof needs replacing.

You also need to keep an eye out for any dead valley areas where there are chances of a water body forming during the rainy season especially if there is improper drainage from the roof. This in-depth observation altogether will help you draft an accurate list of questions you should ask your roofing contractor right in the first meeting.