One of the most important components of your home is your roof. It keeps water and other weather out and keeps cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter inside. While no one enjoys paying thousands of dollars on a roof replacement, it is one of the unfortunate necessarily evils of homeownership. Considering the expense, there are some important things you should do before you pay to replace your roof.
Shop around
First and foremost, get recommendations from friends and family. Even better if you actually know someone who does roofing for a living. Why? Because you may not need a roof replacement – you might be able to repair the problems instead. A trusted company is likely to give you the best information about your circumstances in order to help you make an informed decision.
You’ll also want to get various price quotes for your project. Just because a certain company quoted your coworker less than another does not mean that will apply to your roof. There are a lot of factors that go into a roofing quote, so it is important to shop around before committing.
Get rid of the old
While you can have another layer of shingles added on top of the first, this isn’t always recommended, especially on older homes. This prevents you from being able to see any problems that may exist beneath the shingles. While having another layer placed on top of the first is more economical, consult with a professional to determine if this is the best way to go for your home.
Splurge on the materials
While it may be tempting to go with the cheapest options, roofing is one area where you certainly get what you pay for. The more expensive materials will last longer, and can often provide you with a better look than cheaper materials. If you are thinking of selling your home in the next few years, having higher quality materials on the roof will be an additional selling point and can likely increase the amount you will get for your home.
Pay attention to the contracts
Make sure before any work happens that you read over all the paperwork. You’ll need to make sure a building permit was filed, that you have a written contract that specifies the details, products, and costs, and a letter from the contractor’s insurance carrier confirming that your project is covered by their insurance.
Roof Replacement in Worcester, Uxbridge & Franklin, MA
If you want a professional inspection, or know you need a repair or a new roof, contact Nor’easter Roofing for roof inspections, repairs, and replacement. Nor’easter Roofing can be reached by calling 508-667-3278 or by filling out our online contact form.