A roof replacement can be a significant and long-term investment, protecting your home against the elements for years to come as well as raising your home’s value. Homeowners having their roof replaced should be well-prepared to ensure a positive experience and less stress from start to finish.
This list contains some things you can expect during a roof replacement to help you prepare for the job.
Permit Application
Roof installation and activation follows a process, including a permit application. Depending on where you live, the local government would most likely require permits before they give the go-ahead to proceed with the roof installation.
The application can take some time to process. It often takes at least 2 to 4 weeks, which may impact your project’s time frame, so consider it when scheduling your project.
Noise
Roofing projects such as roofing replacements can take a long time and could get loud. Even when the roofers are well-organized and efficient, they can’t keep the project from becoming too loud to some extent.
A new roof installation is typically a two-day process, but this would depend on the size of your roof. Some replacements can be completed in a day while others can take more.
Whether your roof replacement will take one day or three, it can be disruptive to a family member or a pet who are sensitive to loud noises. Consider setting up temporary accommodations until the work is done.
Dust and Debris
Along with the noises, flying debris would be an issue once the work begins. While the dust and debris can be minimized by the roofers, there’s no getting around the fact that roof replacement is messy and dusty work.
Homeowners should take the necessary steps to protect their valuable items. Items at the attic are the most likely to get dust and debris during this roofing project, so consider moving them off your attic and into a safe spot until the job is complete. Certain items that are too bulky or heavy to move should be covered with drop cloths or a plastic sheet.
In addition, some debris can cause injuries to any passers-by who aren’t careful. Homeowners and their family members should exercise caution when entering their home. Make sure to take steps to keep everyone, especially pets and children, out of harm’s way.
Unexpected Damages
Structural problems with the roof deck are often uncovered when the removal of the existing materials begins. Discovering hidden damages usually affects the budget and timeline, and the scope of the project might have to change. Repairing these unexpected damages would also be crucial for an excellent roof performance once it’s been installed.
After finding these hidden damages, you should review your options with your roofing contractor to know the actions to take and amend project agreements as well as budgets needed. Often, an experienced roofer would advise having a contingency budget of around 20% of the total cost to be financially prepared and avoid delays.
Don’t be surprised when the roofing structure suddenly requires initial repair work done first. Even the most skilled and experienced roofers won’t be able to fully detect hidden damages such as insufficient flashings and leaking chimney or roof vents.
Roofer Validation
Just like in any roofing project, a roof replacement project requires hiring the right contractor. Hiring the contractor with the right skills and experience would ensure that the job is done correctly, and no problems would surface later.
Expect every contractor to tell you they’re the best. No roofer who does the job for a living would ever say the opposite, but you shouldn’t take their word for it. Whether someone recommends a contractor to you or you find one on your own, it’s essential to make sure that your contractor is licensed and insured in your state.
You should also confirm their credentials and offer competitive rates. Besides word-of-the-mouth recommendations from family and friends, new resources such as the internet made it possible to check reviews from previous customers to ensure that the claims of your prospective roofer make is correct.
Fahey Roofing Contractors is the trusty roofing contractor that will help with necessary roof repairs and replacement. To learn more about our residential roofing and commercial roofing services, contact us at (304) 826-1333.