Finally. A new roof!
We’ve been waiting on a new roof for the Old Bandy House for at least 7 months. If you count since before we bought the house., its been almost 10 months. We’ve dealt with the rain pouring through the second floor, the raccoons creating a home via the holes in the roof, and so much more. It’s been a bit stressful.
But TODAY? We’ve started the tearing off of five layers of shingles. Yup, five layers. Not legal, nor is it safe, and it was heavy. We started at 5am this morning, and by “we” that included me getting up at 445am so that I was dressed and could answer questions. LOL. Not that they have asked me a single question, but hey, I was READY!
We’ll be sure to post what the before and after pics look like, but I thought I would share the process of looking for a roofer, especially when you have an old home.
Step 1: Assess the Roof's Condition
Inspect the Roof: Conduct a preliminary inspection to identify visible issues such as missing shingles, leaks, or sagging areas. If necessary, hire a professional inspector.
Take personal notes: We took notes when we saw issues—was it during a major storm? Wind? Only on one side of the house? Were the trees hitting the house? We found that the more notes we took, the easier it was for the Roofing experts to give us a bid.
Step 2: Define Your Needs
Determine the Scope of Work: Decide whether you need a complete roof replacement, repairs, or maintenance. We obviously needed an entire new roof.
Material and Style Preferences: Research and choose the type of roofing material and style that suits your home’s architecture and your budget. This was big for us. We knew it was going to be a huge chunk of our budget, but it’s something we needed and couldn’t do in pieces. We also knew we couldn’t afford a metal roof (plus we thought it would look weird for Bandy's age).
Step 3: Research Potential Roofers
Gather Recommendations: Ask friends, family, and neighbors for recommendations. Check online reviews and ratings. This was HUGE for us. We live in a small town now, and word of mouth was the way to go.
Verify Credentials: Ensure the roofers have the necessary licenses, insurance, and certifications. Verify their standing with local and national roofing associations.
Step 4: Request and Compare Estimates
Get Multiple Estimates: Contact at least three roofing contractors for detailed written estimates. This was super interesting for us. It ranged from No way that can be the price; it's way too low to OH MY GOSH, that was the cost of the house! Don’t always go with the low bid.
Compare Proposals: Look at the scope of work, materials, timelines, and costs. Be wary of significantly low bids, which might indicate subpar work or hidden costs. This is important when you have multiple shingles layers or need all-new underlayment, etc.
Step 5: Check References and Past Work
Ask for References: Request references from previous clients and follow up with them to ask about their experience.
Review Past Projects: Look at the roofer’s portfolio or visit some of their past job sites to evaluate the quality of their work. This was BIG for us! We had to choose a color, and it was super helpful to see the past projects.
Step 6: Discuss Project Details
Project Timeline: Confirm the start and completion dates. Discuss any potential delays and how they will be handled. This is a big deal! We waited and waited, and I wished I had spent more time asking for specifics. Also, weather has a huge impact on the projects. I know that sounds like common sense, but you don’t realize how much until we had a very rainy Spring, which caused months of delays.
Work Crew and Supervision: Ask about the team who will be working on your roof and who will be supervising the project.
Contract Details: Ensure the contract includes all project specifics, such as materials, labor, costs, timelines, and warranties.
Step 7: Understand Warranties and Insurance
Workmanship Warranty: Ensure the roofer provides a warranty for their work. Understand the duration and what it covers.
Manufacturer’s Warranty: Verify the warranty on the roofing materials.
Insurance Coverage: Confirm that the roofer’s insurance covers liability and workers’ compensation to protect you from potential liabilities. We did not have to think about this, but I know many people do this through insurance because of storm damage. Be sure to check into how much your policy may go up next year! It may not be worth the cost.
Step 8: Finalize the Contract
Review the Contract Thoroughly: Read the entire contract carefully before signing. Ensure all verbal agreements are included in writing.
Payment Terms: Understand the payment schedule. Avoid paying the full amount upfront; a common practice is to pay a deposit and the remaining balance upon completion. Ask questions on this one! We thought we had done everything and found out… umm… we are waiting for your payment. Rookies.
Step 9: Prepare Your Home
Clear the Area: Remove obstacles around your home to allow the roofers easy access. I admit I sucked at this. I didn’t do it. UGH. The roofers spent 30 minutes clearing out the garden lights and all the other stuff I had around the house.
Protect Belongings: Cover or move items in the attic and around the exterior of your home to protect them from debris.
Step 10: Monitor the Project
Stay Informed: Keep in regular contact with the roofing contractor throughout the project. Address any concerns promptly. If you can, try to have one person “in charge” of the roofing project while the other works, etc. If that is not possible, consider taking the day off - remember, your day starts at 430am to 5am - it’s a looooooooooong day.
Final Inspection: Once the job is complete, perform a final inspection with the roofer to ensure everything meets your satisfaction.
Step 11: Post-Project Follow-Up
Collect Documentation: Obtain all warranties, receipts, and documentation of the completed work.
Maintain Your Roof: Schedule regular maintenance checks to prolong the life of your new roof and prevent future issues.
POST pictures! Share on social media and write a review if they did a great job! Support local businesses and others. It’s so important in our world right now to be there for each other and acknowledge a job well done. More pictures will be coming when it's complete!