Roof Replacement: Top 6 Tips

Getting a roof replacement for your home is usually a good idea. Your heating costs can decrease, your home will look beautiful, and a new asphalt roof can have an ROI of 62%.

Of course, you probably have a lot of questions. What kind of permits do you need? What materials should you use? How do you find roof replacement contractors northern VA residents trust?

To help you answer these questions and more, keep reading for our top six tips on roof replacement.

Hire the Right Contractor

In an effort to cut costs as much as possible, some homeowners decide to try building all or part of their new roof on their own. However, this is rarely a good idea. It’s almost always safer and more effective to hire a competent roofing professional to get the roof replacement job done right.

Besides knowing about all of the appropriate materials to use, safety procedures, and building code requirements, professional roofing contractors have valuable training and experience that make them capable of handling any job in the best way. They also have all the necessary connections to achieve correct waste disposal and proper installation.

When you select a contractor for your roof replacement job, make sure to conduct your research with due diligence. When you talk to prospective roofers, ensure that they’re properly qualified and licensed and carry insurance. You should also ask for references and, if possible, look at other roofs they’ve done.

Get the Right Building Permits

The majority of municipalities and local governments will expect you to get the right permits for roofing work. Of course, most roofing contractors will obtain the necessary permits on your behalf, but you should make sure they have plenty of notice ahead of time to get this part of the job done.

It’s also a good idea to find out how much the permits will cost before simply asking a roofer to get the ones he needs for you. Ideally, you should work both the cost and the time necessary to get the permits into your building schedule and budget.

Remove the Old Roof First

Some roofing contractors like to build new roofs on top of the ones that are already there. While this is often cheaper in the short term, it’s usually best to avoid it. Removing the old roof first gives the contractor a chance to inspect the decking and supporting structure for damage. By building a roof over the one you’ve already got, you could be hiding costly repairs that need attention to avoid further problems.

Use Asphalt Shingles for Maximum Durability and Savings

One challenge you may have run into is the sheer number of roofing materials you can choose from. Some of them include wooden shakes, sheet metal, slate, and clay.

However, asphalt shingles are often the best choice for homeowners. They stand as a happy medium among the other options, since they come in several shapes and colors, are easy to install, and are comparatively affordable. Best of all, they will typically last for as long as 20 years, or even longer.

Plan Around the Weather

You’ll want to make sure you schedule your roof replacement during a period when the weather is nice in your area. Fortunately, most jobs can be accomplished in just a few days, as long as the weather is decent.

In addition to the weather, you should consider asking the contractor about scheduling the job during their off season. They might offer you a discount for having the work during their slow season. Planning ahead like this can help you save money.

Prepare Your Home for Roof Replacement

Last but not least, it’s important to prepare your home and family for the work that’s going to be done.

First of all, take your kids and pets into consideration. Loud noises coming from the roof can be disturbing to them, causing them to experience anxiety. You may want to have your kids stay with their grandparents while the contractors are at work. If you have a friend or a pet care center to entrust your pets with, that would be a good idea, too.

If your driveway is usually full of your family’s vehicles, you’ll need to relocate them to the side of the road. The roofers will need as much space as possible so they can access their tools easily.

Last, you might want to move all of the pictures and other decor items hanging on your walls. Vibrations from hammers and machinery on the roof can travel through the walls, causing some things to fall off their hooks and nails. Take these down right away to avoid this.

Hopefully these tips will help you save time, money, and effort during your roof replacement journey. Before you know it, you could have a beautiful, brand new roof on your home!