When it comes to repairing or replacing your roof, the stakes can be very high. Your roof is an essential part of your home, and it greatly affects the resale value if you’re looking to bring your property to market. You need to make sure it’s done right the first time, but where do you even start? We’ve got 7 tips that will help make your next roofing project as painless as possible!
Assess Your Needs
You should always start by deciding what exactly you need done. If your roof is in need of repair, there’s a good chance you already know the issue you’re trying to resolve, but it helps to give as much information to the contractor as possible.
Check the condition of the roof overall and spray to check for leaks. Get a good look at your gutter system. Make note of any issues that may crop up in the future.
If you need a new roof installed, research the available materials for your style of home. Consider the needs of your area (some styles of roof hold up better against certain weather conditions) and plan accordingly.
Determine Your Budget
Once you know what you need, it’s time to set a budget. Realistically, the average roof repair will cost around $300-$1,000, and the average roof installation will cost $5,000-$10,000. This isn’t pocket change by any means, so you need to make sure you have the funds available.
Price roofers in your area and collect estimates to get a more accurate price range. Then you’ll know how much you need to set aside, or how much you need to apply for if you’re getting a loan.
Come Up With a Plan
There’s never anything wrong with trusting your roofing company to devise a plan — that’s what they’re there for, after all — but the more thought you put into the process, the more likely you are to get exactly what you want.
Do some research and talk to your neighbors about their roofs. This will give you a good idea for the process and what is and isn’t possible. Just remember to compromise when you can, otherwise the project can grind to a halt.
Find Someone Trustworthy
If you only take one tip from this article, it should be this one. Not all roofing companies are created equal! If you truly want the best experience, you need to hire with that in mind. This means you need to do your research and look at the local contractors in your area.
What you really need to do is answer the following question: Who are the absolute best roofing contractors in my area? These are people and companies who are highly rated, well reviewed, and willing to work with you to bring your vision to life.
Don’t settle on this! Keep looking until you find someone who’s the perfect fit, and your project will go far smoother
Work Out the Details
Though you should already have a plan in place before contacting your chosen roofer, you should take some time to work out the day-to-day with them. Roofing is incredibly noisy work, and if you work from home or have small children in the house, it may be disruptive to your daily life.
Get an idea of when your contractor will be working and find out if you need to be present during the process. Most companies won’t require you to be, so if you need to find someplace quieter, you’re free to do so.
Make Sure the Job is Completely Done
Before you pay that final bill, ask the contractor to go through the property with a magnet and make sure they collect all the roofing nails. These nails are huge and can easily puncture tires. They’re also dangerous for children and pets, so just make sure they’re taken care of before you consider the project done!
Maintain Your Roof
Once your roofing project is done, you need to take steps to secure your investment. Annual roof maintenance is crucial, especially in preparation of and following large storms. Clear debris from your roof, keep your gutters clean, and be on the lookout for small problems before they turn into large ones.
Specifically, if you see any cracked or curling shingles, or if you can identify places where moisture gathers, it’s best to address those issues right away.
Repairing or replacing your roof doesn’t have to be as daunting a task as it first seems. So long as you do your research, formulate a plan, and keep your roof in good condition afterward, you’ll be able to enjoy a new (or like new!) roof for years to come.