Although roof maintenance and repairs are important, sometimes it’s necessary to completely replace your roof. Whether you’re looking at a newly built home or installing a new roof on an existing home, it’s a good idea to know what to look into and what to expect. Not all materials are created equally, and not all contractors have the same experience and professionalism. To learn more, you can continue reading below for how to prepare for a new roof installation.
Know the Contractor
Angie’s List and Yelp or other online review sites aren’t a bad place to get started. However, word of mouth is still often the more consistently reliable way to track down a reliable contractor. Ask your family, friends, or neighbors about their experiences with roofers, and you may be able to narrow down your list relatively quickly. Even then, it’s never a good idea to hire a contractor sight unseen. Not only should you have them give you an initial estimate, but you should accumulate several estimates from different contractors to see what the going rates tend to be. It can be tempting just to go with the lowest bid, but you should always remember that the cheapest is often not the best. Your roof protects the rest of your home from weather and premature aging, so it’s imperative that you have a quality roof that will last. If you have any misgivings about a particular contractor, simply trust your instincts and go with someone else. You never have to justify your decision.
Know What You Need
After choosing a contractor, you will also need to decide on a roofing material. Again, cut-rate materials are likely not going to be worth the investment. You’ll end up needing repairs sooner than expected, and you could wind up with water damage or other issues that will simply add further expenses down the road. Typically, the higher cost of the materials, the higher cost the labor will be as well. Asphalt shingles are a very popular material, and they’re quite well suited for most homes. However, your roof slope is also something to keep in mind when choosing the roofing material. Additionally, you may take into account the style of your home. A Spanish-style home may be better suited to tiles rather than shingles. Tiles can last for many years, especially if they’re installed properly. They may have a higher upfront cost, but over the lifetime of your home, they may be worth it.
For the best roofing contractors in Sandy Springs, it’s a good idea to do your homework and make sure that you’re quite comfortable with the contractor in question. Don’t hesitate to ask for references and even drive around town to see their prior work. Ask your friends or neighbors for their recommendations and listen to their experiences, and remember that you never have to go with the first offer.