Important Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor Before Work Begins

Getting a new roof on your home can mean having a home that's well-insulated and protected against water damage and leaks. It can also increase the value of your home and make it ready for the resale market. Before work begins on your home's roof, and even before you hire roofing contractors and tell them you're ready for the work, note a few important questions to ask first. This will ensure you know what to expect and can get the work done as easily as possible.

1. Will gutters and downspouts need to be replaced?

Because your gutters and downspouts are attached to the roof, you may assume that they need to be replaced at the same time as you get a new roof. However, if they're in good shape, a roofing contractor should be able to work around them. That being said, it can also be good to ask about replacing them if they're old and worn, too small for the average rainfall in your area, have leaks around the connectors, and so on. Since the roofers will already be at your home and on your roof, it might be good to simply get new gutters and downspouts at the same time.

2. Can they protect your lawn and landscaping?

Getting a new roof installed is a messy job as contractors need to tear off the old shingles, nails, and flashing or paper under the shingles. While a good contractor will try to contain the mess, note that they can't always control when nails go flying or paper gets torn and slides off the roof. Ask about what protection you might need for landscaping features around your home; your roofing contractor might suggest you put down a tarp or type of protective covering over the more delicate flowers, or over shrubbery.

3. How should you prepare for the roofing job?

This is something to ask your contractor because they might request that you move a boat, motor home, or trailer that is in your driveway and blocking their access to your home. You may also be required to keep your children and pets inside and away from the workers. Because roofing creates vibrations in the home, you might take pictures off the wall and put away your more delicate vases and other items. You might even consider being out of the home while the roofing work is being done, to avoid the noise and disruption the work can cause.

About Me

Commercial Construction Blog: Tips, Ideas, Strategies and More

If you are hiring a commercial contractor or construction crew, you need to look at the issue differently than you would if you were hiring a construction crew or contractor to work on your private residence. Hi, my name is Howard, and I have worked with construction crews on restaurants, apartment blocks and a range of other commercial projects. Now, I want to share what I have learned, and I hope that the info in this blog can help you with your project. Please, look at my posts, and if they inspire or help you, please share them with your friends. Thanks for reading!

Tags