Hiring a roofer
Know the risks
It’s important to protect yourself and your home before starting a home renovation
If you need to hire a roofer, knowing the risks will help you avoid things like scams, poor workmanship and legal liability for an injured worker. Protect yourself as a consumer – before work on the roof begins.
Research roofing contractors
Roofing contractors are not licensed by the government but, with a little research, you can find a reliable roofing contractor.
Start by:
asking friends and family for recommendations
considering local businesses only, so you can more easily check their references
Get a quote
Ask for a quote from at least three different contractors by a certain date. A quote is a written estimate that should include:
a clear and complete description of the work to be done
an itemized list of the cost for materials and labour
Qualities of A Good Residential Roofing Contractor
There are several residential tasks you can handle by yourself, but roofing projects should be entrusted to a professional. Working with an expert will help you secure the best roofing materials and get your project done on time. It’s equally essential, however, to choose the right contractor for the job.
Licensed and Insured
Licenses and insurance covers are the first things you should look for from a contractor. You should ensure that both documents are valid and up to date. This will help you avoid working with amateurs who can cause you more damages. A contractor who is insured guarantees that you won’t be liable for any potential injuries in their work line.
Certified
Besides licenses and insurance, it’s a good idea to look at your ideal roofer’s certifications. Certified contractors will carry higher top-notch roofing materials along with robust roofing warranties. This will guarantee you the best services in town.
Reputation
AK Enterprises Roofing recommends that you work with a local Barrie residential roofing contractor. This is because the local contractor will have a proven reputation within the community. Additionally, they’ll have an in-depth knowledge of the different roofing options and will be equipped to work on your unique roofing needs.
Residential Roofing
When it comes to managing your home’s roof, there’s typically three things you need to consider.
What repairs to keep an eye out for?
When should I replace it?
Who to hire to replace it or repair it?
All Roof Repairs are Not Equal
When it comes to roofing repairs, there are two types to concern yourself with. The first kind are repairs that alert you to a problem
The second kind of repairs are preventative, before a bigger problem like the aforementioned leak issue. If there is already a leak or other signs of damage, your best bet is to contact a roofing profession like
Time to Replace that Roof?
There are five good reasons to replace your roof. The first is if the repair costs are just getting out of hand. That is a simple one. Another reason is increased energy efficiency. If you can also improve your attics ventilation or take advantage of a radiant barrier at the same time, then investing in a new roof is truly an investment.
Sometimes you want to change the materials used for your roof to help better protect your family or gain higher resale value on your home. Both of those reasons are solid reasons for getting a new roof.
Secret Questions To Ask Roofing Contractors
If you’re looking to hire a roofing contractor (and if you’re anything like our friends and family), then I’m certain you want to do the job ONE time, right? Roofing isn’t a fun job to do twice because the process can quickly take up lots of your valuable time and hard-earned money
The high cost of replacing your roof the wrong way is very high (more on this in a second). It’s one of the most expensive home remodeling projects you’ll ever take on! So with this being true I’m sure we can agree that as a homeowner you need to do everything in your power to make sure you hire an experienced contractor the very first time you replace your roof.
Big bucks only a few years later. Especially because the figures above don’t factor in the 3%+ yearly increase in roof prices or the cost of real damages that lead you need a second roof in the first place
Again, the easiest way to avoid these headaches is to take time preparing for getting your first set of roofing estimates. Sounds simple, but it’s one of the key steps most homeowners miss. They’re more concerned about how much the roof will cost- the estimate itself- than they are about whether or not the roofer will install your roofing system using industry best practice and manufacturer guidelines. This includes not only ridge vent installation, but also materials like synthetic underlayment and more
The big mistake many homeowners make while getting roofing estimates…
Nowadays, it’s easy to get a roofing contractor to your house. All you have to do is plug your name into a website and you’ll watch dozens of contractors compete for your business.
How to Roof a House
Follow along as we shingle a house from underlayment to ridge cap. The article includes detailed photos, drawings and clearly written instructions for every step of the job.
Can you roof a house yourself?
Make no bones about it—roofing is hard work. There’s no hiding from the elements. You can’t be afraid of heights and you need to be pretty fit. Before committing to this how to roof a house project, try this: Get out a ladder and climb up onto your roof. If you can’t walk around on it comfortably, hire a pro. If you passed this first test, go to the lumberyard or home center and throw a bundle of shingles onto your shoulder. Imagine yourself carrying that load up a ladder…many, many times.
If you’re still feeling positive about this how to roof a house at this point, why not give it a shot? You can skip a lot of heavy lifting by having your roofing supplier hoist the shingles onto the roof. Be sure you spread the load evenly across the length of the roof’s peak. However, don’t have the shingles delivered to the roof if you have two layers of old shingles yet to tear off—it could be too much weight for your trusses.
Windblown heavy rain and/or snow can force water up and under even properly installed shingles. Even worse are ice dams (frozen water/snow that builds up on roof edges), which can wreak havoc by allowing water to seep up under lower shingles and then drip into your house. To guard against such seepage, apply self-adhesive waterproof underlayment (“ice barrier”), which adheres tightly to bare roof sheathing and seals around nails driven through it. Buy it at roofing supply companies or home centers. In severe climate regions, most building codes require applying it 3 to 6 ft. up from the eave (minimum of 2 ft. past the exterior wall). Call your building inspector for local details.
Cover the rest of the roof with No. 15 asphalt-saturated felt underlayment (some codes may require No. 30). Each layer overlaps the lower one by at least 2 in. Follow this step by nailing drip edge along rakes (sides of roof), on top of the underlayment. As you did with the flashing, always lap upper pieces over lower pieces. The felt keeps the roof deck dry before shingles go on, protects against wind-driven rain as shingles fail and increases fire resistance.