I need to have a new roof put on my house. What should I look for in a roofing company? I have already asked the friends and neighbors for suggestions, now I'm starting to have the companies come out and give estimates. Any suggestions would help. Thanks.

 

First thing is make sure they are licensed. Check with the Better Busines Bureau. Then ask for references. that you can check out. Also go look at some of there work beyond the references.
All of this is not infalliable, but it gives you a better shot at getting a decent roofer.

 

I used to work for a roofer back in high school about 3 years ago.

1) Make sure theyre licenced.

2) Find someone who has had a roof put on by them and check to see if its of any quality.

3) Check and see if your roof needs new plywood. If it does, dont hesitate to buy a high quality, thick plywood, it will make a difference in the life of the roof. Dont take the cheap route on a roof, youll be glad when 30 years down the road comes and you've still got the same roof.

4) Make sure they do a quality clean-up job, cleaning out your gutters, and running a magnet thoroughly over your lawn and driveway multiple times. We paid for alot of customers flat tires.

5) Inspect after they're done to make sure that all gutters/flashing/roof vents are all in place. Those can get overlooked.

Hope this helps!

 

You might check with your insurance company about available discounts before you get estimates. I got a discount on my premiums by having impact (hail) resistant shingles installed.

 

Make sure they are Bonded (insured). You want them to be covered in case one of the workers does a two and a half gainer off the roof into your rose bushes.

Do NOT pay them until they have cleaned up. This includes 'vacuuming' your lawn for roofing nails. You don't want to be slinging these little missiles around with your lawn mower. I made the mistake of accepting a promise to clean up. It took me two months of phone calls and threats to get it done and it was a half-a** job at that.

If you already have one or more layers of shingles on your roof, you will want to go down to bare wood rather than overlay the existing roof. The weight might be too much for your rafters. I'd recommend stripping the roof completely, putting fresh 3/4 inch ply, the heaviest subsurface (felt paper or whatever is used in your area), and then the best quality shingles. You won't regret spending the extra money up front.

Hope this helps...

Dave

 

3/4" plywood??? man that is to much overkill way to much. Do you know the cost of a 4x8 sheet of 3/4" plywood ($30.05). You can go over "1" existing layer of roofing no more than one. Use a architectural single 25-30 year and you will be fine. Now if you need to replace the wood then go with 7/16" OSB 16" on center or 5/8" plywood and you will never look back.

 

we used to use 3/4" plywood and i guarantee it will last a long time with felt and good hail-resistant shingles. As stated before, dont go the cheap route when doing this, you want a quality job done right the first time.
Oh, and again, make sure the clean-up job is VERY thourough.

 

Find a company in your area that has been around for a while. Ask your friends/neighbors who they have used and the good and bad about those companies. Go with a quality shingle also. Shingle manufacturers recently upgraded their warranties (25 year shingles are now 30 year shingles, but nothing changed as far as materials used or manufacturing processes). Where in Texas are you? I may know someone in your area or can possibly get the name of someone good for you (I'm an independant adjuster and go out on hail storms, hurricanes, etc scoping damage to property).

 

Call your City / Town's Inspectional Service Department or Building Department. They usually handle the permitting and will also get the complaints.