5 Points of Information to Get Regarding the Installation of a New Roof

Finding a company that will do quality work at a fair price on a roof replacement involves a lot more than taking a several bids and then accepting the lowest of the lot. The process of selecting the best company for the job should begin by narrowing your potential choices to 3 “finalists” with whom you’ll meet to discuss the specifics of the project. While meeting with as many companies as possible may sound like a better option, most people don’t have the time or the patience to interview an endless stream of company representatives, so keep the final list at 2 or 3. Here are some of the points of information to assess during the decision process.

·       The physical address and history of the company – In reality, you don’t have to wait for the meeting as this step can be taken with a quick search on the web. Beware of roofers that list a P.O. Box as an address and provide no information regarding their length of time in business.

·       Confirm active general liability and workers’ compensation insurance policies – The process of elimination starts with insurance, as any company that doesn’t carry both types should be scratched off of the list immediately. The reason is that if the company isn’t carrying insurance, the liability for property damage and/or injuries on the job is placed on the homeowner, which can be a huge risk that you should not be willing to accept.

·       Confirm that the company works with materials from a wide selection of manufacturers – A roofing company that works with numerous manufacturers can offer a wide variety of roofing solutions while a manufacturer’s rep will only be able to quote and use materials from a single source.

·        Ask about manufacturers’ certifications held by roofers who work for the company – These certifications represent a level of expertise that has been gained through manufacturer- provided training modules as well as experience in working with materials from specific manufacturers. For example, if you’re going with slate shingles, the best results are going to be delivered by roofers who are certified as proficient by the manufacturer of that specific material.

·        Discuss the specifics of the project – This discussion can include the project’s timeline, a description of the finished product, a detailed bid, and warranties on materials and labor.

The most successful roofing projects include two key elements; experienced craftsmen combined with the use of high quality materials. Starting the process of finding the best company for your project with these points of information can ensure that both of these elements are present in the execution of your roof replacement.         

How a Home’s Roof Factors into a Sale by KTM Roofing

The roof of a new home is rarely perceived by potential buyers as a feature, and is instead categorized as being one of the functional aspects of the structure along with plumbing, electrical circuitry, etc. That being said, a home’s roof can factor into a sale in a variety of ways including:

·        A new roof is one less thing to worry about – Some home buyers buy properties with plans for adding features such as a remodeled kitchen, new bathrooms, etc. In other situations, buyers move in on a shoestring after making the down payment for the purchase and taking on a higher monthly payment. The common factor between these two types of buyers is that neither one is likely to move in with a priority of putting on a new roof. The one exception here are the buyers that discount the prices they are willing to pay for a home in anticipation of needing to install a new roof, resulting in a lower selling price.     

·        Aesthetics – An aging roof, even if it is in relatively good structural shape, can make the entire house look older as well. While this perception between different buyers is a subjective issue, if all other things are somewhat equal between homes under consideration, a home with a new roof will likely be chosen over one that looks much older.

·        Multiple layers of roofing materials – Rather than tearing off old roofing materials, it used to be quite common to put a new layer of shingles over the old layer, a practice that often led to roofs with multiple layers of shingles, sometimes made of different materials. These multiple layer types of installations were structurally weaker than shingles fastened directly to the deck and also increased the load demand on the structure, leading to changes in building codes that now allow a maximum of two layers of roofing materials. The code modifications led to changes in home insurance policies that now typically cover only the top layer of shingles, putting the responsibility of replacing the deck and other structures on the homeowner in the event of a claim.

·        Energy efficiency – Consumers are paying more attention to their energy consumption and are constantly seeking ways to reduce their energy bills. A new roof combined with effective insulation can reduce heating and cooling bills by up to 50 percent, which can be a significant selling factor for the home.

The roof on your home may not be a primary focus for potential buyers. However, a new roof can be a significant and positive factor that raises buyers’ perception of value of the home while also making it easier to sell.