7 Things Not to Do During a Roof Replacement
Replacing the roof on your home is one of the most important improvements and maintenance tasks you can undertake. While it’s not glamorous, it is essential, because your roof protects your entire home, and all the possessions that you keep within in it. Maintaining your roof will ensure the structural integrity of your home, keep the value of your home on the rise, help with your heating and cooling efficiency, and protect the things and people you love.
When undertaking a roof replacement, there are seven essential “Don’ts” that you must make sure to keep in mind. We have listed them below:
Don’t forget to plan ahead
Replacing a roof is a significant logistic and financial undertaking. You can spend several thousands of dollars on your roof, and also deal with the noise and inconvenience of the replacement for days, if not an entire week. So make sure you plan ahead. Budget your money so that you have enough to cover the labor and materials. Make sure you take the time to interview several roofing contractors, getting many estimates and taking a look at each roofer’s previous work to ensure that you are getting the best product at the best price. Then make sure that you are prepared for the mess and noise – some people even suggest taking a mini vacation around the time of your roofing project to avoid the hassle and stress.
Don’t just go with the cheapest estimate
While saving money is certainly an important – and appealing – element of any home improvement project, don’t just automatically choose the least expensive estimate. Be sure to do your due diligence when choosing a roofing contractor. Inspect his or her previous work, speak to previous clients, and make sure the contractor is fully insured and experienced. Paying a little bit more for an experienced contractor who uses quality materials will extend the life of your roof and give you peace of mind that your home is well cared for and safe.
Don’t go against your HOA
Before you allow your contractor to begin working on your roof, make sure you comply with any existing HOA rules and guidelines. A homeowner’s association is a board that oversees and enforces the rules of a neighborhood, which may be anything from the colors that houses can be painting to adding on to the home, whether structurally, with a fence, or even with a shed. Some HOAs also have rules regulating roofs. The HOA may forbid certain styles or materials, or simply mandate a particular color. Don’t disregard these rules: if you do, your HOA may demand that you tear out the work you’ve done and start over within the HOA guidelines.
Don’t allow a contractor to talk you into shortcuts
Once you’ve chosen a contractor (hopefully a reputable, well-established, insured one!) make sure you insist on their highest quality work. Don’t allow your contractor to talk you into any shortcuts – especially used or repurposed materials, which can be unsafe. Hopefully, your reputable contractor will live up to his or her reputation, but on the off-chance that your contractor tries to cut costs inappropriately, make sure you speak up.
Don’t automatically replace the roof with the same material
Research different roofing materials before you start on your roofing project. While you might have asphalt shingles now, it might be in your best interest to try a different roofing type, especially if the property you’re roofing is a commercial property. There are a lot of eco-friendly, cost-reducing roofing materials out there, so make sure you’re knowledgeable and well-researched before you commit to a material. A professional roofing contractor will be able to help you choose the material that’s the best for your situation.
Don’t neglect safety
The number one thing you need to be aware of during any renovation – roofing, kitchens, bathrooms, or otherwise – is safety. When you’re redoing your roof, there will be a lot of detritus accompanying the project. The old roof will need to be torn off, and this may involve nails and garbage temporarily littering your yard. Make sure you keep yourself, and especially neighbors, kids, and pets away from the construction area until your roofing contractor tells you it’s safe. Always listen to their advice.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
If you’re not sure about something during the roofing process, ask questions! Ask your roofer to keep you apprised of the progress, monitor the demo and the subsequent reno, and follow up with him or her on your pre-agreed-upon conditions and plans of action. An experienced roofing contractor will know how and when to communicate with you and will know how to best answer your questions. Make sure you inspect his or her previous work, ask questions about those projects, and then apply that knowledge to your own renovation. If you pay attention and stay involved, your project will going more quickly and smoothly than you could have imagined.
Replacing the roof of your home isn’t necessarily a glamorous renovation or improvement, but it is an important one. Your roof keeps the rest of your home, and those who live in it, safe and secure. It can also vastly improve the value of your home. Many buyers cite a new (or at least newer) roof as being an important selling point.
Do make sure that you hire a reputable, well-established roofing contractor to undertake the renovation of the roof of your home or business. Having an experienced roofing contractor can make avoiding these “Don’ts” easier than it otherwise would be. While it’s good to get estimates to try to obtain the best value for roofing services, be wary of any lowball offers. Roofing is not the place to cut corners or skimp, as it can drastically impact the structural integrity of your home or business over time.
By following these simple guidelines, you will be able to quickly, efficiently, and easily redo the roof of your dwelling with little to no hassle.