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Top 5 roofing questions
Question:
I am getting ready to call contractors for estimates concerning my roof. Need the whole thing redone and know of 3 layers of old shingles underneath. I live in eastern Ontario and know I need ice and water shield (lowest 5 feet I think). So what would my top 5 concerns/questions be to the contractors? Happy
Response:
says… > I am getting ready to call contractors for estimates concerning my roof. > Need the whole thing redone and know of 3 layers of old shingles underneath. > I live in eastern Ontario and know I need ice and water shield (lowest 5 > feet I think). > So what would my top 5 concerns/questions be to the contractors? > Happy
1. Are you licensed or certified by any of the major shingle manufacturers? (As in any profession, the "best" take the time to earn the appropriate credentials.) 2. Are you insured? 3. Do you follow the manufacturers specifications and local code requirements when installing the new roof? (If you want the roof installed properly, it has to be done according to the shingle manufacturer’s specifications.) 4. Will you explain to me all the different types of materials and options that I have available when installing a new roof, and will you leave me a proposal that includes your procedures for re-roofing and the materials that you plan to use? 5. Why aren’t you the lowest bidder? (The lowest bidder is also normally the lowest quality roofer, but you want to hear from the "horse’s" mouth why a contractor is higher than the others. He should be able to explain that he is certified, licensed, insured, a member of at least one roofing trade organization; that he always follows the manufacturer’s specifications, uses the best materials, always obtains a permit and helps you with getting homeowner’s association approval,if necessary; that he has been in business long enough–under the same name–to have amassed a long list of references and that he will be easily found if there is a warranty problem. All these things cost the contractor more than the ones working out of the back of their pick-up that only worry about being the lowest bidder. Do yourself a favor and pay a higher price to get a quality job.) Good luck, — Bruce A&B Construction Houston, TX www.new-roof.net
Response:
I just sent out an RFQ (request for quote) for a roofing job on my house. I developed the roofing quote after consulting with a hobbyist friend in TX who works in a family roofing biz for the last 13 yrs (father long before that). Here are the Q’s that I require responses for: ? How long has present company been in business? ? Does the company subcontract laborers? ? Who is the person responsible for the progress of the job (name of foreman)? ? How long will the job take? ? How will the debris be managed? ? What warranty on the installation is offered? ? Specify fastening hardware used. ? Specify method of fastening used (hand or pneumatic). ? Specify the moisture barrier to be used. ? Specify the shingle material to be used, include manufacturer and marketed name of product (eg. GAF Timberline) ? Specify 3 references in the Metrowest/Middlesex County area, provide phone numbers if you have the approval of the homeowner to do so. All references will be contacted. > I am getting ready to call contractors for estimates concerning my roof. > Need the whole thing redone and know of 3 layers of old shingles underneath. > I live in eastern Ontario and know I need ice and water shield (lowest 5 > feet I think). > So what would my top 5 concerns/questions be to the contractors? > Happy
– John Henry Visit the "BugShop" at http://www.geocities.com/thebugshop/ "I see stupid people. They are everywhere. Except they don’t *know" that they are stupid…"
Response:
I’m not a roofer but I know something about good and bad there. I’d ask for references, and make sure you contact them. I’d make them explain in detail what they will be doing. That will generate more questions. Ask them about how they will handle and haul off the debris. One thing that really bugs me… Ask them if they will work from multiple open packages at once so your finished roof won’t have big blotches of different shades. I hate that and I cannot believe how many lazy prideless roofers there are who cause it. They might say "it won’t matter with the shingle you selected". Baloney, they are just lazy. -Don M open to rebuttal from roofers here. :)
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am getting ready to call contractors for estimates concerning my roof. > Need the whole thing redone and know of 3 layers of old shingles underneath. > I live in eastern Ontario and know I need ice and water shield (lowest 5 > feet I think). > So what would my top 5 concerns/questions be to the contractors? > Happy
Response:
Great set of questions. TB – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > says… > I am getting ready to call contractors for estimates concerning my roof. > Need the whole thing redone and know of 3 layers of old shingles underneath. > I live in eastern Ontario and know I need ice and water shield (lowest 5 > feet I think). > So what would my top 5 concerns/questions be to the contractors? > Happy > 1. Are you licensed or certified by any of the major shingle > manufacturers? > (As in any profession, the "best" take the time to earn the appropriate > credentials.) > 2. Are you insured? > 3. Do you follow the manufacturers specifications and local code > requirements when installing the new roof? > (If you want the roof installed properly, it has to be done according to > the shingle manufacturer’s specifications.) > 4. Will you explain to me all the different types of materials and > options that I have available when installing a new roof, and will > you leave me a proposal that includes your procedures for re-roofing and > the materials that you plan to use? > 5. Why aren’t you the lowest bidder? > (The lowest bidder is also normally the lowest quality roofer, but you > want to hear from the "horse’s" mouth why a contractor is higher than the > others. He should be able to explain that he is certified, licensed, > insured, a member of at least one roofing trade organization; that he > always follows the manufacturer’s specifications, uses the best > materials, always obtains a permit and helps you with getting homeowner’s > association approval,if necessary; that he has been in business long > enough–under the same name–to have amassed a long list of references > and that he will be easily found if there is a warranty problem. > All these things cost the contractor more than the ones working out of > the back of their pick-up that only worry about being the lowest bidder. > Do yourself a favor and pay a higher price to get a quality job.) > Good luck, > — > Bruce > A&B Construction > Houston, TX > www.new-roof.net
Response:
Another great set of questions. I think I’ll keep both lists. TB – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I just sent out an RFQ (request for quote) for a roofing job on my house. I > developed the roofing quote after consulting with a hobbyist friend in TX who > works in a family roofing biz for the last 13 yrs (father long before that). > Here are the Q’s that I require responses for: > ? How long has present company been in business? > ? Does the company subcontract laborers? > ? Who is the person responsible for the progress of the job (name of foreman)? > ? How long will the job take? > ? How will the debris be managed? > ? What warranty on the installation is offered? > ? Specify fastening hardware used. > ? Specify method of fastening used (hand or pneumatic). > ? Specify the moisture barrier to be used. > ? Specify the shingle material to be used, include manufacturer and marketed > name of product (eg. GAF Timberline) > ? Specify 3 references in the Metrowest/Middlesex County area, provide phone > numbers if you have the approval of the homeowner to do so. All references will > be contacted. > I am getting ready to call contractors for estimates concerning my roof. > Need the whole thing redone and know of 3 layers of old shingles underneath. > I live in eastern Ontario and know I need ice and water shield (lowest 5 > feet I think). > So what would my top 5 concerns/questions be to the contractors? > Happy > — > John Henry > Visit the "BugShop" at http://www.geocities.com/thebugshop/ > "I see stupid people. They are everywhere. Except they don’t *know" that > they are stupid…"
Response:
> One thing that really bugs me… Ask them if they will work from multiple > open packages at once so your finished roof won’t have big blotches of > different shades. > I hate that and I cannot believe how many lazy prideless roofers there are > who cause it. They might say "it won’t matter with the shingle you > selected". Baloney, they are just lazy. > -Don M open to rebuttal from roofers here. :)
The color variations aren’t much of a problem with the laminated shingles but can stand out with the 3-tabs. The best thing the homeowner can do is to check the color code on the packages while they are on the ground to make sure the code is the same on every bundle. Then, while the roof is being installed, check from time to time to see that there are no big areas of color variation. I’ve tried spreading the shingles around from different bundles but it is almost impossible to do in the middle of a roofing job. The roofers just aren’t going to take the time to make sure they have shingles from 3-4 different bundles. To do it effectively would require that you hire someone totally dedicated to mixing the shingles. Fortunately, with the current manufacturing of variegated shingles, color variations are relatively rare, and when they do occur, can be dealt with fairly easily- -assuming that someone catches the problem before the roof is completed. — Bruce A&B Construction Houston, TX www.new-roof.net
Response:
You have two good lists of questions here. I’ll add a few points… Firstly, DO NOT hire someone you don’t trust. One of the best ways of finding a contractor is by reference. There are lots of craftsmen out there you will never know about because they do not advertise and run small operations. Don’t be afraid of that small operation. True, the lowest bid could be a storm chaser, and most of the time that contractor is just that. He’ll be gone with the wind when you need him most. But sometimes a small company exists in a community for years on end doing quality work, learn to tell the difference. Do ask for a list of recently completed jobs and follow up on that list. If the contractor did a good job, most folks will gladly tell you, and you can be sure they’ll let you know if they were unhappy in the least! Storm chasers don’t take the time to do good work because they know they’ll be gone before anyone can call them back! Don’t skimp on the materials. Oftentimes a homeowner will opt for the cheapest shingle when an upgrade costs only a very modest amount more. There are problems that can show up with a 3-tab shingle that rarely are a concern with a good laminated shingle. Treat the process of getting an estimate as an opportunity to interview the contractor, after all you are hiring someone to do a hjob for you. When the interview is over, ask yourself if you trust this individual? Is the person who sold you the roof merely a salesman or is he going to be on the job, working, supervising, and doing what the two of you talked about during your interview? If you have concerns, talk with your contractor. He cannot know what you want if you fail to let him know. Better communication leads to a better job all around. But overall, only hire someone you trust to do a good job and who will be around later, possibly years later, when you might need him again. John Willis
Response:
I just had my roof completely redone. I live in south Florida, and my questions were the following: 1- insured 2- licensed. 3- how long have you been in business 4- REFERENCES!!!! 5- why were you the lowest bidder After reviewing all the quotes, and decided on the roofer, I decided to call the city roofer inspector, and asked if he had heard of the roofer, as well as their workmanship. Bear in mind the roofing inspector CAN’T recommend a roofer, but he sure does know who is good, and who are the fly by nighters. Good luck. Paolo PE – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Another great set of questions. I think I’ll keep both lists. > TB > I just sent out an RFQ (request for quote) for a roofing job on my house. I > developed the roofing quote after consulting with a hobbyist friend in TX who > works in a family roofing biz for the last 13 yrs (father long before that). > Here are the Q’s that I require responses for: > ? How long has present company been in business? > ? Does the company subcontract laborers? > ? Who is the person responsible for the progress of the job (name of foreman)? > ? How long will the job take? > ? How will the debris be managed? > ? What warranty on the installation is offered? > ? Specify fastening hardware used. > ? Specify method of fastening used (hand or pneumatic). > ? Specify the moisture barrier to be used. > ? Specify the shingle material to be used, include manufacturer and marketed > name of product (eg. GAF Timberline) > ? Specify 3 references in the Metrowest/Middlesex County area, provide phone > numbers if you have the approval of the homeowner to do so. All references will > be contacted. > > I am getting ready to call contractors for estimates concerning my roof. > > Need the whole thing redone and know of 3 layers of old shingles underneath. > > I live in eastern Ontario and know I need ice and water shield (lowest 5 > > feet I think). > > So what would my top 5 concerns/questions be to the contractors? > > Happy > — > John Henry > Visit the "BugShop" at http://www.geocities.com/thebugshop/ > "I see stupid people. They are everywhere. Except they don’t *know" that > they are stupid…"
Response:
>I’m not a roofer but I know something about good and bad there. >I’d ask for references, and make sure you contact them. >I’d make them explain in detail what they will be doing. That will generate >more questions. >Ask them about how they will handle and haul off the debris.
My husband used to work for a company that guaranteed no nails to be left on the lawn. Every night before they went home they would walk around with huge magnets and meticulously clean the lawn. >One thing that really bugs me… Ask them if they will work from multiple >open packages at once so your finished roof won’t have big blotches of >different shades. >I hate that and I cannot believe how many lazy prideless roofers there are >who cause it. They might say "it won’t matter with the shingle you >selected". Baloney, they are just lazy. >-Don M open to rebuttal from roofers here. :)
Yep, got that! Neighbours house has a dark line about 4 feet wide that meanders across the roof. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am getting ready to call contractors for estimates concerning my roof. > Need the whole thing redone and know of 3 layers of old shingles >underneath. > I live in eastern Ontario and know I need ice and water shield (lowest 5 > feet I think). > So what would my top 5 concerns/questions be to the contractors? > Happy