There are many different roofing materials, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, roofing costs and life spans. All roofing materials will eventually deteriorate, even when using the best maintenance methods. When that happens, contractors are hired and construction begins.
What to Require
Before the construction starts, there are things that you should do to insure that proper procedures are done. First insist on a written estimate/contract. There is no reason to start the reroofing process without the estimate in your hand. The estimate should cover most of the details. The most important things that should be included are the warranties, the costs, the schedule and the process. If it is not on the contract, it will not be legal binding. The contract is also a very important tool for future use. The contract is your best source for information on materials used on your roof. This information will be very important if you later need emergency repairs.
What to Expect
Reroofing usually takes one to two days for average sized houses. For the duration of the reroofing, you can expect a lot of extra noise, but not much disruption of your everyday schedule. The roofing contractor should not need to have access to the inside of the house, unless they need to check your attic.
What to Do
You may want to take pictures of the house while it is being reroofed. You may want to remove and protect all delicate objects. The hammering may be on the roof, but the vibrations will be sent throughout the house and objects could fall, be dirtied or another object could fall on it.
Most roofing contractors should cover the landscaping to protect it from damage. If there is a pool on the property, it should be covered. Normally the contractor will take care of these items, but you may want to make sure it is done properly.
Make sure that the contractor you hire does a final inspection when the job is complete. Even with the best intention, there could be caulking that are missed, shingles that are misaligned, and attachments that are not firm. There have been countless cases where mistakes in reroofing occurred that could have been prevented by one more inspection. Ask the contractor if you have any questions.
The job is not complete until the contractor insures that there are no loose nails or other sharp objects left on the ground. For this, the contractor may run a magnet around the house and the lawn. It is also the duty of the contractor to pick up all the debris. Do not hesitate to point out to the contractor things that have been missed and rubbish that was not collected. It is nearly impossible to clean the site totally from the debris and objects that may cause harm. Do not walk barefoot in the yard for a few weeks following the job.
If you want more information or have any questions, please visit our website at www.apextx.com or view our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/ApexRoofingInc.
