Find the Best Roofing Contractor for Your Home
The first step in finding the perfect roofing contractor for your home is to decide–or have a sense of–what kind of new roof you want. Do you want to simply replace the roof you’ve got with the same asphalt shingles? Or are you interested in trying a new material, such as metal, ceramic, slate or something more unusual, such as a planted “green” roof? Whatever your choice, you’ll want to find a roofing contractor who specializes in the materials that appeal to you.
If you’ve seen roofs that you like in your neighborhood or town, don’t be shy about asking the homeowner who did the job and perhaps how much the roofing job cost. Asking friends, family, and others for recommendations is a good way to start your search. Professional builder and contractor organizations are another good resource.
Bidding Your Roof Project
Conduct quick telephone interviews with each of the contractors on your list. Check their availability, whether they’re licensed and insured, and willing to provide a client list. Once you’ve narrowed your list to three or four contractors, you can begin asking for written price estimates to determine roofing costs. Be sure that contractors specify what grade of materials they plan to use and what kind of warranty is offered, so you’re able to compare apples to apples.
Bids should include the cost of materials, labor, and all other expenses, as well as profits. Materials generally account for 40 percent of the total bill; profits are typically between 15 and 20 percent.
Check your top contender’s references and make a couple of quick calls to your local Better Business Bureau and your state’s consumer protection organization to ensure the contractor doesn’t have a history of upset customers.
Watch this video about metal roof contractor
www.coolflatroof.com Learn ho to make a ridge vent water tight, using special interlocking flashing. This will prevent water penetration through the ridge , while the attic ventilation will be fully functional. Metal roofing in Revere, MA – www.coolflatroof.com Please help to answer the question about metal roof contractorcopper vs metal roof that looks like copper?
I'm a contractor general
and I have to install barrel roof accents and not counting labor to install, I can go with metal roof that looks like copper or go with real copper. Is the sheets of copper that much more $ then the aluminum?
About Author
Kelli Smith is the editor for HomeImprovement411.org. For home improvement information and to find a home improvement contractor near you visit www.HomeImprovement.org.
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- The Timeless Copper Roof
- Four Steps to Finding the Best Flat Roofing Contractor
- Metal Roofing Materials
- Why Copper Roofing Panels Are A Good Choice
March 11th, 2011 | by roofing contractor |
By john d on Jan 14, 2010
i would think if you had damage to your roof that would be covered by insurance you would have already contacted your insurance company. the contractor can look at the roof, assess the damage and give an estimate. filing a claim is your responsibiity (if it's your house). in most cases, repairs from general wear and tear are not covered by homeowners insurance. contact your insurance company yourself to find out if the repairs will be covered before committing to anything with a contractor.
By Windstar on Jan 14, 2010
How about a Roofing/Building Material wholesale company? Outside sales position? His experience would really be beneficial to his customers. Or a technical support or trainer for a roofing manufacturer try the Metal & Asphalt Shingle manufacturers, if he was in the business he hopefully should have some contacts to reach out to. My best advice would be to network within the industry, and to be patient. Something should come along; but not without his local "industry" knowing he is out there and looking for an opportunity.
By Shizzle DIzzle on Jan 15, 2010
If you are looking for a highly recommended Foam Roofing contractor, you are on the right track. First, you want a foam roofing contractor who has been consistently recommended highly by both old and new customers. If they promise a 10 year warranty, make sure they have been in business for at least 20 years! Finally, verify that they are in good standing with the Contractors State License Board. Type in the company's license number at http://www.cslb.ca.gov/ and see how long they have been in business and if their worker's compensation insurance is in good standing. Other organizations, such as Diamond Certified, go even further to interview prior customers of companies they sponsor to verify high customer satisfaction ratings. As you mentioned, the Eichler Network is another organization that actively seeks and sponsors reputable contractors. The best Foam Roofing contractors receive a lot of word-of-mouth referrals from neighbors that were happy with the work.
Only one foam roofing contractor in the Bay Area also offers solar power installations. Take a look at http://www.dura-foam.com/. Dura-Foam Solar Center is not only a SunPower Dealer for the world's highest efficiency solar electric panels, but also highly recommended by the Diamond Certified Organization, Angies List, Eichler Network, Better Business Bureau, and ValueStar. Dura-Foam Solar Center takes responsibility for the whole project by guaranteeing both the roof and the solar installation. You can check the maps on their website to see that they have done thousands of jobs in the Bay Area over the last 29 years. Their vast network of satisfied customers since 1981 is delighted to share the Dura-Foam Solar Center Experience.
By just me DGD on Jan 16, 2010
it depends on the type of existing roof.
Hud governs mobile homes and they determine what materials are acceptable for a shingled roof one layer of 25 year shingles will keep you within dead load specs. if you have a tin roof the best alternative als accepted by many states is an |EPDM membrane either white or black. Insulation can be added as well and it will remain within weight specs. A "roofover" with trusses and decking that is supported by the home is not acceptable for houses after 1973 when HUD took over.Prior to that your local building official will have to make a judgement. a self supporting shell is acceptable but often can be expensive.
By 1stLadi on Jan 17, 2010
Oh that absolutely works in your favor, because the company has to make sure that it is the owner of the house signing the contract and not someone else like a renter etc. Your brother in law needs to call the company and tell them that you signed a contract with them for the roof to be done but that the house is not yours and you had no authority to do that and therefore the contract should be null in void concerning the work on the house. However the company may come after you for signing the contract, because I'm sure if you had read the fine print on the contract you would have been certifying that you were in fact the homeowner or given permission from the home owner to sign. I really don't think they'll bother with it though, and if they do you can always claim ignorance (which ignorance of the law does not excuse you, but if you've never done anything like this before then you should be fine.) And you can always say that the company did not mention to you that you had to be the owner when you signed as well. I would call and get the contract dissolved immediately though if I were your brother in law. Good Luck!!!
By magnetic_azimuth on Jan 18, 2010
I think brother deserves a huge hug and a thank you from sis! He was taking care of his sister because most of these guys will not do that! Oh, there might be a couple but I sure as heck haven't found them.