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How Long Should It Take to Replace My Roof?
by: Frank Istueta posted: July 29, 2011

How Long Should It Take to Replace My Roof?

This question is one that many Miami homeowners ask when considering a roof replacement; however, the answer is not a definitive one.

The best answer will come from an experienced roofing contractor after he has looked at the scope of your job. The best course of action is to discuss the length of the project with the roofer and get several estimates before making a choice. Compare the different lengths of time that each roofer provides to complete the project. You should always feel comfortable with the timeframe that the roofing contractor provides you with and make sure that you have enough time available to handle the project. The length of time it takes to complete the project depends on how large your home is, the time of year, the weather during that span of time, and the types of materials you choose for your new roofing project.

Again, the amount of time required for the successful completion of your project should be discussed with a qualified and experienced roofing contractor.  If you have a big event planned at your house, or a vacation scheduled, and you want to get your roof properly replaced beforehand, make sure to give yourself (and the roofer) enough time to get the job finished properly with a comfortable amount of time to spare. Otherwise, it’s best to postpone the job until a later date.

It is important to realize that not every estimate is written in stone. A roofer may estimate that a project may take two weeks to complete, but if there are conditions that arise that delay the work, it may take longer. Roofers may discover that more work needs to be done than was originally included in the estimate. This may be due to structural damage that was revealed once they began the project. These types of circumstances could delay the replacement project as well. Give yourself plenty of time to complete the project in case there are emergencies, poor weather conditions or any additional work that must be completed.

An experienced, qualified contractor will provide you with a firm timeline for what you can expect. Even so, you should consider any timeline an estimate, and understand that the most seasoned contractors will offer you a range for their installation or repair time, in order to allow for unforeseen circumstances.

One of the most difficult challenges roofers should face is the weather. This factor is mostly influenced by the time of year during which the repair or replacement is being performed. A truly professional roofing contractor’s team will work as quickly as they can to finish any roofing project, but never at the expense of quality workmanship and proper installation. And remember, plan on being flexible in your expectations to account for weather-related delay.

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How Proper Roof Maintenance Can Extend the Life of Your Roof
by: Frank Istueta posted: July 22, 2011

How Proper Roof Maintenance Can Extend the Life of Your Roof

Homeowners, now more than ever, are looking for ways to cut costs and save money. However, if they are taking an “out of sight, out of mind” approach to roof maintenance, they could miss an excellent opportunity to extend the life of the roof on their home and therefore save money. A proactive maintenance program, along with understanding different warranty policies, will help homeowners do their part to extend the life of their roof for as long as possible.
Proactive maintenance programs address each homeowner’s individual needs and typically include twice yearly inspections, documentation of roof conditions, maintenance, and repairs (if necessary). For example, leaks and water seepage typically do not occur until after the roofing system or insulation has worn down or there has been deck damage. Proper maintenance and service are needed to ensure the roofing system performs as expected and the earlier you catch the warning signs of a leak, the less costly any needed repairs will be.

In an attempt to save money, many homeowners wait until minor roof problems become very obvious and major roof problems before conducting maintenance/service. This type of reactive maintenance will, in fact, increase roof life-cycle costs. Spot repairs made during a proactive maintenance visit are far less costly than replacing membranes, insulation and decking if a leak occurs in the future. Proactive maintenance also helps identify potential problem-causing areas, thus decreasing life-cycle costs.

 

Along with extending the life of a roof system, homeowners and business owners are discovering there are many other benefits to proper roof maintenance by a roofing contractor. When minor roofing problems are repaired over time, there is less of a chance for larger and more costly issues down the line. Along with roof-related issues such as leaks and damage, a bad roof can equal stress and unnecessary costs.

Since every roof comes with different challenges — depending on the type of roofing system, roofing accessories, etc. – you will need a professional and licensed roofing contractor to assess your specific roofing needs and wants in order to design the most cost-effective solution. Whether you will need to repair a leaking roof or install a new one, the final result should be a high-quality roofing system that will last its lifetime or surpass it.

 

Again, the best tool that an owner has available to extend the life of their roof is a regularly scheduled maintenance program. Proper maintenance can guard against simple problems that left unattended could dramatically shorten the life expectancy of your roof. Potential problems can be identified and corrected through periodic inspections, preventing serious problems later. Regular roofing inspections that are performed properly will head off many problems and even extend the life of your roof.

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Avoiding Contractor Scams

How Miami Homeowners Can Avoid the Sting of Contractor Scams

by: Frank Istueta posted: July 19, 2011

How Miami Homeowners Can Avoid the Sting of Contractor Scams

Following is a list of suggestions that any Miami homeowner would be wise to follow in order to avoid the scams perpetrated by unscrupulous roofing contractors:

Check certifications.  Make sure the contractor you choose is properly certified to do the work by either the National Roofing Contractors Association, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, or any other state or local organization. Also check on any manufacturer’s certifications as well as with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints and information on how long they have been in the business.

Word of mouth.  Do you have friends and neighbors who have recently installed a new roof? If so, ask them which roofing contractor they used and how their experience was. The Better Business Bureau is a great resource as are a number of websites to check a roofer’s reputation.

Know and understand the work they are going to do.  Understand the entire scope of the work being done, including materials and installation practices and what may require some special skills or materials. You want to be absolutely sure that the contractor you hire will avoid taking shortcuts on your investment.

Get the most information you can upfront.  Look at the ratings and quality of different roofing products and confirm what the contractor is going to use so you can make sure you’re investing in a top quality product for your home. Also, question the experience, training, and certifications of the installers.

Contract, contract, contract.  Get a detailed written contract and then build in some wiggle room to incorporate possible unanticipated costs by creating plausible “what-if” scenarios, including what changes could arise and how it will affect your project. It is also important to include a process for handling change orders and a detailed payment schedule.

Permits.  It is best if the contractor holds the permits because most town and city building inspectors consider the permit holder to be the party ultimately responsible for the work. If the contractor holds the permit, he is responsible for the work and the building inspector can act as an intermediary if needed.

Get a lien release.  This will protect you from a contractor who owes a supplier for supplies after you have already paid him. Essentially, if the contractor has your money – but hasn’t paid for the supplies – you will be liable for what remains unpaid.

As a Miami homeowner, you must protect yourself from unscrupulous roofing contractors.  Follow these few steps and you’re off to a great start!

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Learn these 7 Tips to Follow Before Hiring Any Contractor
by: Frank Istueta posted: July 6, 2011

Learn these 7 Tips to Follow Before Hiring Any Contractor

There are just about as many roofing contractors to choose from as there are doctors, and you should take the same care in choosing both!  So how can you make a decision?  It’s easy…interview them. Whether you are talking to a salesperson or the owner himself they should show pride and enthusiasm in discussing your project.  When meeting with each roofing contractor, use the following seven questions to guide you through your interview.

1. What is the full name and address of the company?
An established contractor will have a permanent place of business. If you are provided a PO Box, ask for the street address to their place of business and consider visiting them as well. You should get to know who you’re doing business with.

2. Does the company carry insurance?
Workers compensation and liability insurance is mandatory.  If a worker is hurt and the roofing contractor does not have insurance, you – as the homeowner – are liable. Ask to have current certificates sent to you. Do not accept the roofing contractor at their word.

3. Is the company a licensed and credentialed roofing contractor?
Many state and local governments require roofing contractors to be licensed or credentialed. Contact your city and county clerk’s office and find out if there are any requirements for roofing contractors in your area. Even if there is not, still ask your contractor. The truly professional roofing contractors will most likely have proof of license or credential from other entities.  In the Miami-Dade County area, be sure that the products being sold to you have gone through the proper product approval process.

4. How long has the company been in business?
Longer is usually better…more than five years is best. A new business should not be disqualified from your decision-making process, but if everything else is equal, longevity is usually better.

5. Will the company provide testimonials and references from previous jobs?
A qualified company will provide these upon request. Automatically reject any contractor that fails or refuses to provide you with a list of references and/or testimonials from their clients. Ask for a reference list of recently completed projects that are similar to yours. A qualified contractor will be proud of the work they provide their clients and their clients should be satisfied with their services.

6. What is the company’s workmanship warranty?

Most workmanship errors will be found within the first year, probably after the first good storm. The reason this question is important is that most roofing contractors will provide a warranty for workmanship, and the manufacturer will provide a warranty for the product as long as it is installed correctly. Make sure you understand both warranties and ask for a copy of each.

7. What is the company’s track record for solving customer complaints?
Try to find out how your roofing contractor handles problems when they do arise. Request a referral from a job that involved a complaint. Ask the contractor if he has ever lost a job-related court case. Ask if his contractor’s license has ever been suspended and why. Also, in talking to the appropriate authorities, such as the Better Business Bureau and licensing departments, find out if any complaints have been filed against the contractors whom you have interviewed. Many contractors in business for any length of time have been involved in a dispute. Ask how the dispute was resolved, to test your roofing contractor’s reputation.

With the answers to these seven questions, you’ll be on your way to a hassle-free home improvement project!

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