You have found trustworthy roofing contractors and collected bids, now what? Not all bids, materials, and contractors are the same. To compare them accurately, evaluate each bid using the same or similar criteria.
This article breaks down the five areas you should be comparing your roofing bids against to ensure you pick the right roofing contractor for your home. You’ll learn about differences in materials, warranties, customer service – and what questions to ask before hiring a roofer for your roof replacement.
1. What materials are being used?
Materials used in your roof replacement can encompass more than just shingles – and differences will drastically impact your price. If a roofing contractor comes in way below the others, it’s essential to ensure they’re using the same quality of material quoted on your other bids.
When evaluating your bids, focus on three key materials: shingle brand, shingle dimension and aesthetic, and deck protection.
Shingles come from a variety of manufacturers. Choosing a reputable brand can give you peace of mind about production quality. Shingle dimension and aesthetic cover the design and style of your shingles. Options range from entry-level to mid-grade to premium, and higher-quality choices may have different installation requirements.
Finally, consider deck protection. The deck refers to the base layer of your roof, typically plywood, to which shingles are attached. Protecting this layer is essential for a long-lasting roof. Common types of deck protection include felt paper, synthetic underlayment, and premium underlayment.
2. What type of warranty is offered on the roofing materials?
When choosing a roof, consider two types of warranties: workmanship and manufacturer.
Workmanship warranties come from the roofing contractor and protect your roof against installation errors. Most reputable companies, including AIC Roofing, offer 10- or 20-year workmanship warranties to stand by their work.
Manufacturer warranties cover the materials, specifically the shingles. Typical options include material defect and material defect plus labor. The material defect plus labor warranty replaces your roof if shingles fail and also covers the labor costs. Keep in mind that the quality of shingles you choose, whether mid-grade or premium, does not necessarily affect the warranty.
3. What are the installation specifics?
These specifics don’t necessarily get mentioned on a bid – yet they are critical to your roof replacement! Asking specific questions regarding installation will reveal more about the quality of your roofing contractor’s techniques.
We would advise any homeowner to ask three critical questions regarding installation:
- Is my flashing getting replaced (metal located at walls and around chimneys)?
- How many nails are used per shingle?
- Are you tearing off my roof or overlaying?
Replacing your flashing helps extend the life of your roof and prevents leaks. Some contractors may cut corners in this area to compete on price, so it pays to check carefully.
Ask your contractor how many nails they use to secure each shingle. Using at least five nails per shingle ensures proper fastening and reflects quality workmanship.
Clarify whether a contractor quotes a tear-off or overlay roof replacement. A tear-off removes the old shingles and roof completely before installing new shingles. An overlay attaches new shingles directly over the old roof. While overlays cost less, they carry risks. Overlays trap heat, which can cause dry rot in the roof decking, and they do not address underlying issues such as leak sites or rotten sheeting. Roofs installed as overlays also have a shorter lifespan compared with tear-offs.
4. Is someone supervising the job site?
This may seem small, but a dedicated site supervisor can significantly impact your overall roof replacement experience. Having a site supervisor ensures that someone is assigned to monitoring installation and ensuring your property is not harmed. Monitoring your property includes:
- Protecting your landscaping
- Ensuring the job is cleaned up (nails, miscellaneous materials, etc.)
- Verifying the replacement is being completed exactly how it was agreed to
5. Is it a reputable roofing contractor?
When evaluating a company’s reputation, it’s essential to read through their reviews. When evaluating company reviews, pay special attention to the lowest-rated reviews. Reading the lowest-rated reviews can give you insight into what went wrong and if/how the company dealt with the issue. It will also help you see if there is a common theme – is there a particular issue many customers reported as a concern? Checking out a roofing contractor on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) can also give you insights into complaints against the roofing contractor.
Lastly, a strong internet presence (do they post on Facebook, YouTube, Yelp) usually shows the company cares about their reputation. A company who takes reviews and social media presence seriously will resolve any customer complaints to prevent bad reviews.
Evaluating bids is typically your last step before selecting a roofing contractor. It’s vital to consider all relevant factors before making your selection. Choosing a reputable company can help prevent issues from arising later.
AIC Roofing has replaced over 10,000 roofs in Lexington, KY, and the surrounding area. Our knowledgeable staff perform free inspections and can give you honest evaluations based on our many years of experience. Contact us today to get started!
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