Through early planning and meticulous budgeting, you can keep your roof replacement project on track and within budget. While monitoring your project’s progress, you might want to keep in mind these project management tips:
Clarify the Scope of Your Project With Your Roofer
During the initial consultation with the contractor, it’s important to discuss the scope of their responsibilities. For instance, while it’s usually standard practice for contractors to handle the clean-up of construction debris, you should still clarify this crucial detail with them.
Details to Clarify With Your Roofer
The other project details that you need to discuss with them are:
- Required work permits – In addition to the clean-up of construction debris, contractors usually handle the application for work permits. But, as mentioned earlier, it’s highly recommended that you clarify this detail with them.
Here’s a pro-tip: For matters regarding the permit for your construction project, it’s best to consult local roofers. Since they’re familiar with local building codes and have built rapport with the staff at the local building authority, they can help guide you through the process.
- Project timeline and deadlines for the deliverables – Keep in mind that, at this stage, this is just a projected timeline.
- Contingency plans – You can never rule out weather-related project delays, which is why you should ask your contractor about their contingency plans. For instance, if it starts to rain in the middle of a roof replacement, it’s standard practice for contractors to cover the exposed roof sheathing with a tarp and wait for the weather to clear up. This is to keep rain from drenching your new roof’s decking, barriers, OSB boards, and felt—all of which are susceptible to moisture damage—and prevent accidental slips on the roof’s wet surface. However, you shouldn’t worry too much if you vetted a contractor before hiring them.
- Roofing materials to be used – No matter how durable your roof is, it won’t last long if it can’t handle your area’s climate. That’s why to protect the returns on investment on your roof replacement, it’s vital that you choose a roofing material that can handle the humid Florida climate. There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach in home improvement projects, and roof replacement projects are no exception.
Tips for Effectively Communicating With Your Roofer
Given that a roof replacement project is essentially a collaboration between you and your roofing contractor, clear and constant communication is vital to your roofing project’s success.
Here are some tips on communicating with your roofer and avoiding miscommunication:
- Inform your contractor about the times when you’re usually available – In addition to getting your contractor’s contact details, you should also inform them about the times when you’re usually available as well as your preferred mode of communication. This will help reduce delays between responses.
- Ask for routine updates – For construction projects or extensive remodeling projects, we recommend visiting the work site at least once a week, in addition to asking for regular updates from your roofer.
- Keep in contact with your roofer after the project’s complete – Hold onto your roofer’s number. That way, you’ll be able to contact them immediately in case your roof or exterior needs repairs.
Important note: Contrary to what some might think, a clear vision for your project is just as important as the technical details. After all, if you don’t have a vision for your project, you’ll most likely end up getting disappointed with the end result, no matter what it is. If you’re having trouble creating a vision for your project, consult one of your local roofing companies. They can help guide you through the process.
Put Everything in Writing
Don’t rely on verbal agreements—always put everything in writing. After all, given how busy home improvement projects can get, it’s easy to forget crucial project details. In particular, you should ask for a written roofing proposal or estimate.
What are the details you should look for in a written proposal?
- List of materials
- Material and labor costs
- Installation methods
- Start and completion dates
- The process for making change orders (modifications made to the project’s original scope)
- Payment methods
- Warranty details
Important note: Some homeowners use the terms quote and estimate interchangeably. But, there’s a crucial difference between the two: the former is detailed than the latter, which is supposed to only give you a general idea of the overall costs.
Planning Mistakes to Avoid
- Dismissing alternative roofing options – Always do your research on your different roofing options—including the alternative ones—before starting a roof replacement. For instance, metal roofs are popular in the state because of their energy efficiency (their sleek surface reflects heat instead of absorbing it, reducing your cooling costs), we would recommend considering the benefits of an asphalt roof. Asphalt shingles—which also happen to be the most popular roofing in America—are cost-efficient, durable (they have an average lifespan of 15 to 40 years), have minimal maintenance needs, and can handle a wide range of climates (including the humid Florida climate).
For instance, while it might be tempting to hire the roofer with the lowest bid, doing so will end up costing you more in the long run. In order to offer low bids, a contractor will have to cut corners, which will affect the durability of your new roof. Remember: If a roofing bid is too good to be true, then it probably is.
Important note: Keep in mind that the durability of your new roof depends on the quality of the materials. That’s why it’s best to stick to reputable brands such as GAF®.
- Becoming too preoccupied with the costs – While it’s important to stay within budget, you shouldn’t get too preoccupied with the project costs. Focus instead on maximizing the ROIs on your roof replacement.
- Choosing just any roofer – Always vet a roofer before hiring them to make sure they’re qualified for the job.
Vetting Tips
Here are some vetting tips:
- Hire local – You can quickly narrow down your options by limiting your search to roofing companies near you. Hiring local also has its advantages. For instance, local roofers are known for their personalized service.
- Go through their online reviews – Online reviews should give you an idea of the level of service you can expect from contractors. Keep in mind that a few negative reviews aren’t necessarily a red flag. Miscommunication happens sometimes, after all. In these instances, what you should focus on is the contractor’s response to the complaints. Did they take the time to post a response? And if so, was it done in a professional manner?
- Ask how long they’ve been in business – Look for roofing companies with at least a decade of experience in the industry. The number of years a contractor has been working in the industry should give you a good idea of their level of expertise.
- Check their qualifications – The minimum qualifications for contractors vary from state to state. In Florida, the state requires roofers to have a license. And to apply for a license, a contractor needs to have workers’ insurance (to shield homeowners from legal liabilities from workplace injuries on their property) and relevant educational and work experience (a certificate of competency). They also have to show proof of financial responsibility.
What about certifications? Certifications are proof a contractor has undergone additional training to expand their skill set. They’re optional and usually given by manufacturers and independent non-profits. They can be useful for vetting contractors because they’re proof a roofer has undergone additional vetting by manufacturers and independent organizations. In a sense, they’ve already done all the vetting work for you.
Next Level Roofers, a GAF Master Elite™ contractor with a combined experience of over 39 years in the roofing industry, offers professional roofing services, including roof repair and replacement services. To get a free estimate, call us at (407) 237-7960 or fill out this form.
