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Use this handy guide to avoid the pitfalls of purchasing a
new roof.
1. Shopping price
only.
The price of a roofing repair or install will
vary depending on the size and location of your home. If you shop around for
prices and notice that a company is well below the average, there may be a
reason why. Cost alone will not determine quality. Professionalism and quality workmanship should also
weigh heavily on your decision.
What is the total price of the job? Does this include
sales tax? When are the payments due? Does the price include removal of the old
roof? Any hidden costs?
Some smaller roofing companies may require a
small deposit at the start of work. Most of the contracted amount should only be
due after all of the work is completed in a satisfactory manor. Do not issue
full payment for the job until all work has been completed. Lengthy projects may
require progress payments, be sure the amount does not exceed the value of the
work performed.
* Check the insurance of every company doing
work at your home. A company should carry both workers’ compensation and
liability insurance. Because of the dangers inherent in working on the roof,
workers’ compensation and liability insurance are a significant cost to a
roofing company. Since the cost of the insurance is high, some companies do not
carry it. This practice is a shortcut some companies take to underbid the
competition.
2.
Basing your buying decision on the quickest to respond or because a company can
"start right away".
A company that is too quick to respond may not
have enough business. (Why?) Things to consider:
- How long has this company been in business? You want to make sure that
this company will still be around in case you have problems with your
roof.
- Number of years of roofing experience for installers?
- Safety record?
- Make sure the company is licensed, bonded and insured in your area.
(get license number)
- Insurance? Don't hesitate to ask the roofing contractor for proof of
insurance. In fact, insist on seeing copies of his liability
coverage and worker's compensation certificates. Be sure the coverage runs
through the duration of the job.
- Does the company offer references of past work? Obtain customer
references and check them. Ask about the company's stability, reputation, record
on completing jobs on time and quality of work performed.
- Check out all companies with your local Better Business Bureau
(www.bbb.org)
- Do they offer a maintenance program?
- Make sure you get a contract. Insist on a written proposal and examine
it for complete descriptions of the work and specifications, including tasks the
roofer will perform, types of materials, financial arrangements, and guarantees.
3.
Getting a discount for signing the contract "tonight" or other high-pressure
sales tactics.
This forces the homeowner to make a quick
decision, so as not to miss the “unbeatable price.” No matter how good the price
may seem, do not buy a roof from a company that asks you to make a decision
before you are ready. Granted, recent hurricanes have caused uncertainty in
building materials availability and pricing, however a reputable company will
have relationships and access to quality products for 2 or more weeks from the
time they provide you with a quote. There is an outside chance that a contractor
may have a "sudden" opening in their work schedule and offer an incentive to
keep their crews working, however the more reputable companies do not have a
significant amount of discount or wiggle room in their cost. If they offer more
than a 10% discount, one might question their margins in the first place.
Additionally, some companies will more heavily incent their salespeople to get a
contract signed the same day. The quicker the sale, the higher the commission.
The bottom line is, take your time when making any large purchase, such as a new
roof. Do your homework, talk to references, and sign when you are comfortable
that you've made the right choice.
4.
Signing the deal because you like the sales person (or not signing it because
you don't).
Although you may feel a certain comfort level
with a sales person, it should not be your sole reason for making a purchase. A
truly good sales person will know their products and the overall installation
process very well, which should give you a level of confidence. However, the
sales person is not the one who will be doing the roof repair or installation.
Find out who will, and their experience. Ask for references and ask to see
examples of similar installations. Be weary of a sales person who cannot provide
real references from CURRENT customers.
5.
A deal too good to be true probably is – check:
- Quality of the materials? Have your contractor list the roofing manufacturers
with which his firm has licensed or approved applicator agreements. Most
materials require special application expertise in order to achieve a quality
roof system that will last. Quality materials will be backed by a manufacturers
warranty as well.
- What is the warranty? Both quality materials
AND quality workmanship/installation should come with their own warranties. Ask
what warranties are available for both.
- Hidden costs? In addition to the cost of
labor and materials, ask if there are any hidden additional costs, such as old
roof removal, dumpster rental, heavy equipment rental (e.g. a crane to lift
heavy materials such as slate onto a high rooftop), and plywood replacement (for
unknown/hidden rotten wood beneath old shingles).
- References? A reputable company will be able
to provide recent references in the general vicinity of your home, or for an
installation similar to yours. Get the reference and actually make the
call!
6.
Purchasing the roof based on warranty alone.
The length of a roofing warranty should not be
the primary criterion in the selection of a roofing product or system.
The warranty does not necessarily provide assurance of satisfactory roofing
performance. (source: nrca.net)
Make sure that the warranty covers all
materials and workmanship. Some roof warranties require you to have at least
semi-annual maintenance inspections. Look for manufacturers' warranties that
provide full coverage for labor and materials.
According to a consumer advisory bulletin by
the NRCA, consumers are wise to look for manufacturers who clearly and
specifically state in accompanying literature and warranty verbiage what
maintenance is not only recommended but also required during the projected
service life of the roof and its warranty term.
There is a common misconception by roofing
consumers that long-term warranties are all-inclusive insurance policies
designed to cover virtually any roofing problem, regardless of the cause or
circumstance. Roof warranties typically do not warrant that the roof system will
not leak or is suitable for the project where it is installed. Even the most
comprehensive manufacturer warranties that cover material and workmanship
generally provide only that the manufacturer will repair leaks that result from
specific causes enumerated in the warranty. A material-only warranty typically
provides only that the manufacturer will provide replacement material.
(source: nrca.net)
You can compare manufacturers’ warranties with
the roofing materials guides published annually by the NRCA (National Roofing
Contractors Association).
7.
Using contractors with no office staff.
There is no shortage of contractors running
one or two-man shops in any town. While they may be fine for smaller jobs, when
you are making a large home improvement investment, beware of any contractor who
you cannot get in touch with during normal business hours. A reputable company
will have an office staff available to answer any scheduling, materials or
billing questions you may have. If you call a contractor and consistently get an
answering machine, know what you may be getting yourself into. If you have
difficulty reaching them when you are going through the estimating process,
where will they be if you have a problem?
8.
Mistaking advertising for quality.
Look in any value-pack mailer, coupon clipper
magazine or even radio and television and you'll see and hear many companies in
your area vying for your business. While it may be impressive that they have the
means to advertise in high-priced media, do not mistake advertising for quality.
There is nothing wrong with finding a company through the media, but do as you
would with any major purchase – do your homework. Compare pricing, check
references, and check workmanship. A reputable contractor will provide you with
access to all of the information you need to make an informed
decision.
9.
Having a friend do the work.
Having a friend -- one that is not a licensed
roofing contractor working for a reputable roofing company –is wrought with
uncertainty. Even if this person is "handy", have they ever installed a roofing
system? Do they know what areas of a roof are most vulnerable and why? Do they
know how to properly ventilate the roof? No to mention, any work done by an
unlicensed contractor will not include a warranty. The cost of roofing repairs
may be high and you don’t want to commit to such a major investment without a
warranty.
10. Doing the work yourself.
Big box retailers will tell you that you can do it (and
they can help!), but beware! Roofing in particular is tricky business. There are
obvious safety issues, as well as structural installation issues that should
only be performed by a licensed professional. Professional roofing contractors
are trained to safely and efficiently repair or replace a roof. Novices can harm
a roof with improper roofing techniques and severely injure themselves by
falling off or even through a roof in need of repair of replacement. Homeowner
maintenance should be confined to roof inspections in both the fall and spring
to check for cracked or curling shingles, and to cleaning rain gutters filled
with dead leaves and other debris. If you must see the roof for yourself, use a
firmly braced or tied-off ladder equipped with rubber safety feet. Wear
rubber-soled shoes and stay on the ladder (and off the roof) if
possible.
Source: S&K Roofing, Siding and Windows, www.SKRoofing.com
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