A new roof for your home can cost as much as a fun family vacation, a sporty second-hand roadster or an expensive gem from the local jeweler. So why do over five million people replace their roof each year? Because they must.
A homeowner’s single most important investment is in his home. Drafty windows, faded exterior paint and old siding are nuisances, that while inconvenient, can still be put-off for another day. Not so the leaking roof!
Danger of Ignoring a Roof Leak
A leaky roof that is ignored can cause more damage to a home’s attic, insulation, ceilings and wood framing, than the initial cost of replacement.
There are many examples of people actually having to abandon their home and all their belongings, because a roof leak allowed toxic mold to invade their house to the point where it became uninhabitable, (Google Superstar Michael Jordan- mold).
When homeowners suspect a roof problem because of age, missing shingles, or brown interior stains, immediate action is advised. According to roofing authority, Dale ‘SHOE’ Shoemaker, companies do not charge to come out, walk your roof, and prepare a written bid.
SHOE has worked in the roofing industry since 1995 and has received more shingle manufacturer certifications than any other local roofer. “Oh, yeah,” he laughs. “The movie The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, pretty much sums up what I’ve come across inspecting leaky roofs. It’s like the Wild West, where robbers lurk and the law is of little help if you get robbed.”
Since 1995, his company, has repaired hundreds of defective installations for frustrated homeowners who could not or would not, allow their original roofer back on their house.
So what should homeowner’s do when it is time to replace a roof?
Here are the seven tips SHOE recommends considering when you’re about to hire a roofing contractor.
- Ask everyone you know who they used. The old adage about telling one or two people when you’re happy and telling twenty when you aren’t, can work in your favor to weed out potential problems.
- Checking with the Better Business Bureau is good. Checking Facebook is better. Bad roofers settle their complaints at the BBB and so appear to have zero bad grades. Online reviews tend to be a mix of positive and negative comments, left by homeowners. Ask in your neighborhood’s Group page for recommendations. People are eager to suggest names to use and to avoid!
- References are good. Job sites are better. A roofer can say he did any house on the block and may or may not be telling the truth. Driving over to a current job site and watching, is revealing. What you see happening on the neighbors’ property will happen on yours. Messy job sites, broken down equipment and scary workers are real, be prepared.
- Use a phone book to verify a roofer’s business, but be cautious about those big ads. For roofers to be listed with 411 or in the print directory, they must have a business account, not just a cell or home phone. A business account suggests stability. A word to the wise about big print ads. They are expensive and somebody [you] has to pay for them. Also, phone books do not verify the information contained in the ads. A roofer can print just about anything with few repercussions. Be careful.
- Recognize the difference between price and cost. According to SHOE the only thing worse than buying a roof is paying for it twice! He cautions that you get what you pay for, and that the lowest bid can end up costing you thousands in subsequent repairs.
- Call five, meet three, hire one. Some roofers won’t show up or will leave without ever giving you a quote, so you’ll typically need to call 5 to get 3 bids. Good roofers are hard to find, so trust your instincts. When you meet ‘the-one’, hire him! Topnotch roofing contractors maintain a busy schedule year round and may not even accept more work at certain times. Also, there is no need to go overboard by calling 7, 8, or 9 roofers to bid your job. Roofers have costs associated with providing a “free” quote, homeowners who abuse the system may cause their roofers to overbid the job out of aggravation. Remember, your goal is to get a great new roof, not interview every guy with a truck and a ladder.
- No dumpsters allowed. Fixed dumpsters fill up driveways, are expensive, and may get left behind over a holiday or weekend on your property. Also, the weight of a full dumpster can scratch, break or crack your driveway, especially if made with pavers or bricks. For many years, roofers could not justify the added expenses (gas, insurance, CDL drivers) associated with owning a dump truck, so dumpsters were common. Today, good roofing contractors own and operate mobile dump trailers. Roofers who still use dumpsters maybe either bad businessmen or have bad credit. Either way, avoid trusting your home to them.
There you have it, seven secrets roofers know that homeowner’s need to be aware of.
If you suspect a roof issue and would like a free inspection, SHOE is happy to help. His free written bid includes an attic inspection, drone fly-over, and rooftop video. You will be able to see and understand what your roof is like and what may needed to be done in the future. Call him to schedule a time that fits your routine at 727-267-0619 or find him on Facebook