Roofing Replacement Mistakes to Avoid

A house starts ageing the day after the house is fully built and the first owners move in. Keep in mind that every structure has design integrity to withstand all sorts of elements, especially in countries where there are predominant weather types. 

The first line of defense of your house is the roof. It receives the sun's scorching heat, significant amounts of rain, hail, snow, and windstorms. All these factors are part of planning computation and design aesthetics to prolong the roof's lifespan and protection for the house. All designs must be subject to approval, which must follow all design standards and specifications. 

Yet, there are still houses that have roofing with failed design and strength. Over the years, the wear and tear of your roof may not serve its purpose, and the need for replacement is imminent. Here are some mistakes to avoid when placing a new roof.

Replacing your Roof Based on Cost 

Probably the most common mistake that a homeowner can make is to award the project to the lowest bidder and to fail to consider the required specifications of the roof. There are plenty of untrustworthy contractors who will make this an opportunity to gain the trust of a homeowner. They cut down costs, which can mean sacrificing quality. Often, they use substandard materials to make their bid price lower. 

Giving the Full Payment Before the Project Starts

You should be careful when dealing with contractors who demand full payment before they even start working on your roof replacement. The typical payment process of a project begins with an initial down payment, succeeded by a series of billing payments that are based on the progress of the project. You should only give the final payment upon the completion of replacing your roof.

Failure to Ask for Cost Estimate or a Quotation 

All licensed contractors submit a detailed cost estimate for your roof replacement. This will serve as your "checklist" once the project starts. A contractor will provide their quotation stating all materials, quantities, and duration of the project. The bill of materials will also be your basis for the contractor's progress report.

Forgetting to Sign the Contract 

Some homeowners let their contractors proceed with replacing their roof without securing a signed contract. A contract is for both party's protection, if ever a problem arises from the project. The agreement contains the agreed upon stipulations and its corresponding penalties. The project duration, warranty of the contractor, and the terms and conditions should also be stipulated in the contract. So, do your due diligence. Read the contract, raise questions, and make clarifications before finalizing your agreement. 

Not Doing a Background Check on your Contractor 

Replacing your roof is one of the biggest jobs done to a house. It requires tedious planning and costing to avoid any mistakes during and after the project. In any industry, there will always be some people who will take advantage of others who have no idea about their services. Roof replacement contractors should be an established company with legal documents to present. 

You should verify its license numbers, manufacturer certification, and insurance certificates. It will help if you do thorough research about their track records. It would also be prudent to ask about their past projects, learn about their craft, and ask for proof of completed projects. Should they have ongoing projects, make sure to visit them so you have an idea of how they work as a team and the type of services they can provide. 

While you may be eager to replace your old and worn-out roof, don't decide on it haphazardly. Make sure that you do not commit these mistakes by following our tips. 

A licensed and professional roof contractor should be the only commissioned team to install your roofing.