Resistance Exteriors

7 Residential Roof Replacement Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

residential roof replacement mistakes

Did you know that roof replacement makes up 94 percent of total US roofing projects?

Having your roof replaced is so common that it might not seem like a big deal, but it’s easy to make mistakes that can ruin the entire process. Not only are these mistakes costly, but they can be dangerous for the safety of your home and everyone in it.

That’s why knowing what residential roof replacement mistakes to avoid is so important. Read on to learn about a few of the biggest things to avoid.

1. No Inspection First

It’s always best to have an inspection done before you invest in your roof replacement. It might not bring about the best news, but it’s going to help you ensure you’re prepared for anything that comes your way.

The right roofing service is going to be able to let you know whether or not your roof needs replacing, and they’ll be able to give you a quote depending on the materials you’re looking at. 

2. Interviewing One Contractor

That doesn’t mean you should only talk to one contractor, though. It’s smart to interview at least three companies before making your final decision. They’re all going to have varying prices, materials, reviews, and working relationships.

So, while you might want to work with one company, it’s important to make sure they use quality materials and are worth paying for. On the other end, you might not want to work with a specific company, but it might use high-quality materials and have great reviews that simply aren’t worth ignoring.

Ultimately, the decision is yours. But interviewing more companies means you’re going to have a lot more options to choose from when that time ultimately comes.

3. Using Non-Recommended Materials

Roof replacements aren’t necessarily “cheap” or “expensive,” as their pricing depends on several different variables. This can be things like the type of material you use, its weight, and where it’s being sourced from.

That being said, it’s important to go with what your contractor recommends. That means one with a good reputation, as it’s going to help you save money over the short and long-term.

It’s also important to know what type of roofing you need. If you don’t know this, then it’s easy to just replace it with the wrong material altogether. Your contractor can usually tell you if you’re unsure, but you should also make an effort to figure it out before you hire anyone.

Fail to do this and you risk unnecessarily replacing your roof.

4. Forgetting the Warranty

Even if you know your new roof was installed by the best contractor with the highest grade materials, it’s never immune to wear or other damage. Whether it’s pests or weather, you run the risk of needing work done at some point.

Whether it’s missing shingles or damaged flashing, you want to make sure you’re prepared and a warranty can help you do exactly that. To protect yourself as much as possible, be sure that the company you’re looking to hire offers an extensive warranty on all the work they do.

5. Placing Price Over Quality

Wanting to save money is understandable, but it’s important to never place your budget over the quality of your replacement.

Doing this can lead to poor results, along with poor craftsmanship. That’s only going to leave you with costly repairs and even premature replacement later down the line.

As those repairs stack up, you’re going to end up spending a lot more than you might’ve originally. So you might be saving money now, but that isn’t likely to remain the case if you take the bait on a deal that feels too good to be true.

6. Forgetting Permits

Most large home improvement projects are going to require a permit, and it’s important to make sure all your documentation is ready to go beforehand. Doing this is going to help ensure that you comply with local laws, codes, and regulations.

Failing to remember this step can result in fines later down the line. A high-quality contractor is going to know how to help you obtain all the necessary permits. If the one you’re working with insists on avoiding permits altogether, though, then it’s best to move forward with a different company.

7. No Contracts or Documents

Whether it’s an estimate or your contract, ensuring you get everything in writing before you commit to one contractor is essential. Not only is the going to help ensure you’re covered when selecting your contractor, but it’s going to keep you covered through the rest of the process. A firm handshake and verbal agreement aren’t going to cut it in this case.

With your estimate, you should receive an itemized list that shows you every detail that might affect the total cost of your roof. A contract, on the other hand, is going to help keep you covered if something goes wrong during your project. Whether it’s property damage or poor quality work, a signed contract is going to help determine who needs to be held responsible.

Don’t Make These Residential Roof Replacement Mistakes

Making these residential roof replacement mistakes might end up costing you more than it’s worth. When you know what to be on the lookout for, though, it’s a lot easier to have it done right the first time around. It also helps to have the right contractor for your home.

Luckily, that’s where we come in. At Resistance Exteriors, we’re here to help you get everything right the first time around. Contact us to book an estimate and get started today.

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