Prescott Valley Roof Replacement

Choosing a Roof Replacement Contractor

Replacing Your Roof? You might think you shouldn’t replace your roof until leaks start showing up. if you wait for that to happen, it will surely cost you more money. When leaks are visible, damage to the structure has already occurred and it will be more expensive to fix. 

Here’s some things to look for when you’re trying to decide to choose a contractor to replace your roof:

• Whats the age of your roof? If they are installed correctly, with the proper materials, shingle roofs should last 15 to 20 years, maybe longer at times, and a tile roof should have a lifespan of 30 years or more. It will depend on how many layers of shingles you have and if the ventilation is good. If you’re not sure when your roof was installed, you should get a roof inspection completed by a professional roof replacement contractor.
• Are their any curled, cracked or broken shingles? Are there any cracked or broken tiles on your tile roof? As they get older, tiles and shingles will break down. Are any shingles or tiles out of place or completely missing? Check if all the tabs or end pieces are still solid.
• Go outside and check your roof. The shingle lines – are they straight? Is there sagging or other obvious problems? If there’s sagging it could mean that the sheathing under the shingles has become deteriorated. Check the valleys closely as they are one of the most important features of your roof. That’s where water flows to the gutters, down to the ground and away from your home.
• Check your attic, right after a heavy rain, and see if there any indications of leaking or moisture damage. Also notice if there's any light coming through the roof where it shouldn’t be.
• Is the flashing around your chimney comprised of roof cement or tar? Chimneys are a serious weak spot on a roof. They must have a long-term, water-tight fitting like sturdy, solid metal flashing.

If you notice any of these problems, get a qualified roofing contractor to give you their professional opinion on what steps you should take.

Finding the Right Roof Replacement Company

You must hire a qualified, professional, experienced contractor. Check out a few of the new roofing projects in your area and due some due diligence on the internet. before long, you’ll find the right company. Converse with the owners of the companies you would like to get quotes from. They should respond with a proposal after sending their estimator over to look at your home. Make enough inquiries and you should have at least 3 companies to think through.

The next challenge is choosing the best one for your job. How? By following the golden rules of hiring contractors:

Be patient. Doing your homework in advance will mean better quality workmanship and a quality job at a better value. 

To find the best experienced roof replacement contractor, the Better Business Bureau says homeowners should follow the following tips:

• If you don’t have a relationship with an experienced contractor, get proposals from several contractors, making sure the fine details of each quote are the same. The contractor should quote weight per square for asphalt shingles. You can then judge the quality of the materials — the heavier the weight per square, the higher the quality.
• Get a business card and the actual main address of the roofing company.
• Check with the BBB and get a reliability report, or you’ll find it online at the Better Business Bureau website at www.bbb.org. Search by company name, phone number or address. For a whole list, search by business class using “Roofing Contractors”. Check how long the roofer has been around – If they were here before the storms they’ll more than likely be here when the monsoon has past.
• Make sure the contractor is listed with the Registrar of Contractors. Have them get a permit for your roof from the city, if its required, and be sure its mentioned in the written proposal. A bond could protect you against bad workmanship that doesn't follow the city’s building codes, but it might not help if the roofing contractor doesn’t complete the job.
• Get references and be sure to call and check them out. Call their past customers and review a project the roofer completed recently thats like yours. Also, if you can, check another that was completed several years ago.
• Ask them to submit any disagreements about poor workmanship or customer service to a third party arbitrator, and get this in writing through the proposal.
• Watch out for roof repair businesses looking for work in unmarked trucks and asking for funds in advance of the project. Don’t be a victim to high-pressure sales tactics like “this deal is only good for today."

For a free roof replacement consultation and quote with a licensed, experienced, professional roofing contractor with years of experience, call Mikku and Sons roofing at (623) 468-1065.