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7 Tips You Need To Know Before Getting Your Roof Done

Cody Smith

Updated: Feb 26, 2020


1. Get A Roof Inspection Done

Unless you find shingles blowing off your home, chances are it will be hard to find the problem with your roof. If you experience water entering your home, it could be a sign there’s a much bigger problem above.

To really find out what’s going on, call a professional home inspector or roofing contractor to access the situation.

This can help you determine if you need a minor repair or must replace the full roof. Usually, a contractor will provide a temporary repair during the inspection until permanent repairs can be done.

2.Decide Whether to Repair or Replace

After having the problem accessed, your contractor or inspector will let you know if its repairable or if your roof needs replacing.

If your roof is new and still has 10 to 15 years of life left (your contractor or inspector should tell you), then repairing is probably the best and cost-efficient solution. The average life-span for a shingle roof is between 18 to 20 years.

If a professional recommends a repair, make sure the repair they are stating in not a temporary quick fix.

3.See If Your Roof Is Still Under Warranty

Many contractors are offering 15-year warranties or more on their installation so double check to see if your roof is under warranty.

If your roof doesn’t fall into a workmanship error check with the manufacturer for possible defects or warranty issues in your area.

4. Insurance Claim

Niagara’s weather consists of harsh Winters, hot Summers and heavy winds and rains in early Spring. If you happen to experience a catastrophic weather event in your area, you may be eligible for an insurance claim.

Double check with your local insurance agent with your policy and procedures for accessing the damages for a claim.

5.What Is My Budget

If the warranty and insurance claim fall through, the last step is your pocket. While getting a complete roof replacement can be costly, there are some ways to make it less impact on your wallet.

  1. Research different roofing materials you can use to get the best bang for your dollar.

  2. Talk to your contractor or local bank about financing

  3. Use a points credit card to collect rebate points

6.What Are My Roof Material Options

There are tons of roofing material options on the market today. There are cedar shake shingles, metal shake, 3-tab shingles, architectural laminate shingles, the list can go on.

We recommend installing an architectural shingle as the most cost efficient and protective mid-grade shingle on the market. Check out the GAF Timberline Brochure for details on our favorite brand!

While metal and cedar will last longer, if you are not planning to stay in your home for another 40 years the value may not be there to install costly products on your home.

7.Find A Contractor

Finding the right contractor is important with any project you as homeowner take on.

While the bottom line is always a concern, chances you are pay for the service you receive. If a contractor is thousands of dollars less, they may not be licensed, certified or be around in the years to come.

Source a local contractor with proven experience and history that maybe did work for your neighbor or friend. These are contractors that will be around if your roof happens to leak or a warranty issue arises.


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