Preparing for a Roofing Estimate

When considering putting on a new roof on your home, it is important for the consumer to do a few things before the roofers show up at your house.

Most people struggle with who to call. They may ask, if they really need a roof or if they can get by another year or two out of the existing one. The choosing from all the different materials out there can be also very overwhelming. With a little preparation, this chore can be easier and may save you some money on your roof replacement.

So let's start with how to find a roofing contractor.

The best place to start is if someone you know has recently used a roofer. They can share the good, bad and ugly experience that they may have had. The next way to search for a contractor is accreditation. Most roofing material manufacturers have a preferred contractors list that has been trained in product knowledge and installation. These contractors have gone to the trouble of associating themselves with a manufacturer and thus, are on the cutting edge of new roofing products available, warranties and proper installation techniques and codes for the area you live. Search the manufacturer's websites for these contractors, as they are normally pretty good roofers. Ask the local supply houses that sell roofing materials who they recommend. Having a few contractors that have good references saves you time dealing with a Jackleg.

Inspecting your roof. The inspecting of your roof should be done by a professional. For a small fee, a home inspector can evaluate the condition of the roof and take a picture for you, and review the problems or points of interest on your roof. Since he is unbiased, you should be able to get an honest answer to the real condition of your roof. The more you know about your own roof before the roofing estimators show up, it will help you pick the right contractor.

What type of shingles do I pick? Most people don’t know the difference or even care about the different shingles available. They are many different manufacturers that have different colors, designs, warranties. Most people pick from a few of the major brands. These shingle manufacturers all have wonderful websites with tons of information on their products and definitely can educate you in a short period of time.

So be prepared with a few good contractors in your area in hand, understanding the condition of your roof and it’s needed, and having a shingle design and manufacturer picked out, gives you a big jump on the roofing project. A list of questions to ask each contractor is also very useful in comparing contractor to contractor. These few preparations will help your roofing estimates and roofing project run smoother.

Have a question? AskARoofer HERE

Need a contractor?  Check out our list of Roofing Contractors HERE.