So you’ve decided you need a new roof … not one of the more exciting homeowner endeavors, granted.  Everyone knows they need to do it (eventually), but not something most people look forward to.  Roofs are generally preferred out of sight and out of mind.  However when new roof time does arrive, your home and your pocketbook are best served by tackling the project head on and in advance of any serious roof damage or deterioration.  Here are some roofing installation guidelines to get you started on the right foot, and to help you find a reputable roofing contractor.

Step #1: Research Roofing Options

Before you make a single phone call or schedule a single estimate, do some research to narrow the scope of possible roofing solutions.  Here are some questions you should be asking:

1. Do I really need a new roof?

We recently published a great article on how to determine whether or not you need a new roof. Don’t wait until you are experiencing problems with your roof to start doing your due diligence.  If your roof is leaking, you will feel pressure to choose a contractor that can respond the fastest … which is very likely NOT in your best interest.

2. What type of roofing material should I choose?

You may want to consider the performance vs. cost of various types of shingles such as:

• asphalt shingles
• composite shingles
• dimensional or architectural shingles
• cedar shake shingles
• slate roofing

Here at American Windows, we highly recommend XT25 composite roofing for its performance, longevity, and value. We also recommend Landmark dimensional shingles for their beauty and elegance, as well as unsurpassed performance.

3. Do I have a flat or low-slope roof? 

If you have a flat roof or very low-slope roof, you may want to consider a different kind of roofing such as BUR, MBR, or EPDM instead of traditional shingles.

Step #2: Find a Roofing Contractor

Once you have some ideas about what kind of roof you might be interested in, it is time to find a reliable and reputable roofing contractor.  This can be a challenge.  Here are several things to look for:

1. Experience and skill are more important than a cheaper cost.

Getting the roof installation completed correctly the first time will save you far more money than hiring a cheap contractor to do a sub-par job which will need to be redone or repaired sooner rather than later.

2. Autumn is the best time for a new roof installation project.

The fall tends to be drier than the spring or summer, with milder temperatures than the summer or winter. Start your research in the early Fall to make sure you can get on the schedule of your contractor of choice. If they are good, they’ll be busy in the Fall… so start early.

3. Ask for referrals.

If the contractor you are considering is worth his salt, he’ll have a string of happy customers ready to tell you how pleased they were with his service. Ask for testimonials, or check their Yelp and Angie’s List reviews. 

4. Don’t necessarily go with a dedicated roofing firm.

A firm that does only roofs will not be equipped to assist you with other issues that may come up such as gutters, siding, or trim issues as they relate to your new roof.  Also, many roofing-only firms are actually better con-artists than they are contractors or construction guys. So look for a great all-around home exterior contractor with superior reviews.

5. Ask about the roof warranty and service guarantee.

Again, a contractor worth his salt will make sure you are well covered so you never become an unhappy customer.  Here’s ours … 100% Satisfaction.

6. Get several roofing estimates.

Get 4 or 5 … so you have a means for comparison.

Step # 3: Evaluate Your Roofing Options

I’ve already told you what to look for and what to ask.  Now let me tell you about what to avoid.

1. Beware of ultra-cheap roofing quotes.

Although you may initially be pleased with the low cost and likeness of your ‘new’ roof, you are likely to find out later that a quick cosmetic job was performed, leaving the more serious problems untouched under the surface.  Make sure you understand what the quote includes and what the process is for identifying unexpected damage.

2. Beware of unnecessary roofing repairs.

This is the opposite problem … the contractor ‘fixing’ underlying damage that isn’t really there.  There is no way for a homeowner to know the difference.  The best way to avoid this problem is by asking for referrals and hearing from happy customers.

3. Beware of high quotes.

This can be a sign of unnecessary repairs, or simply indicative of a roofer overcharging for materials and labor.  Your best bet is to get several quotes and go with an average cost.

To sum it all up then, if you need a new roof you should start early, get educated, obtain several estimates asking for referrals and warranties for each, and evaluate those estimates for possible scammage.  If you follow these simple guidelines, you will be well on your way to protecting, quite probably, your biggest and most cherished investment … your home.

Here at American Windows & Siding of VA, Inc., we enjoy helping people.  If you have any questions about roofing, new roof systems, composite shingles, dimensional shingles, or roof replacement questions of any kind … feel free to contact us and we’ll do our best to answer all your questions!