Clear communication is vital to any project’s success and roof replacements are no exception. Fortunately, communicating with a residential roofing company or contractor is a lot more straightforward than it seems.
Still, to prevent miscommunication between you and your contractor, you should keep in mind these tips:
Get Your Contractor’s Info
Don’t forget to ask for your general contractor’s contact info. They’re responsible for overseeing the progress of major projects. If you need updates on your project, you should contact them directly. And if possible, tell the general contractor about your preferred mode of communication as well as the times when you’re usually available. This will help minimize delays between responses.
Discuss the Project Scope with the Contractor
It’s standard practice for contractors to discuss your project’s scope during the initial consultation. In addition to the scope of your project, you should also go over details such as:
- Needed work permits – Contractors will usually handle the application for the work permits, but it would still be a good idea to clarify this important detail.
Here’s a pro-tip: It’s best to consult a local residential roofing company about the application process for work permits. Since they’re familiar with local building codes and have built rapport with the staff at the local building authority, they can give better advice.
- Project timeline – Don’t forget that, at this stage, the deadlines for the deliverables aren’t fixed yet.
- Roofing materials – No matter how durable your new roof is, it won’t last long if it can’t handle the humid Florida climate. What are the most popular roofing materials in the state? Asphalt and metal roof replacement projects are common in the state because they’re durable enough to handle the warm, humid climate.
Important note: The durability of your new roof partly depends on the quality of the materials used. That’s why it’s best to stick to trusted brands such as GAF®.
Discuss the Contingency Plans With Your Roofer
Early planning and meticulous budgeting can help keep your project on track and within budget. However, you can’t rule out the risk of weather-related delays. To make sure unexpected delays don’t completely throw the timeline completely off track, you need to discuss the contingency plans with your roofer. For instance, if it starts to rain in the middle of a roof replacement, a professional roofer would usually cover exposed roof sheathing with a tarp and wait for the weather to clear up. That’s because even a slight drizzle can be problematic for your new roof’s decking, barriers, OSB boards, and felt, all of which are susceptible to moisture damage.
You shouldn’t worry too much about delays if you hired a roofer who’s qualified for the job. After all, any qualified contractor should have the necessary skills to deal with any issues they may encounter.
Put Everything in Writing
Never rely on verbal agreements—always put everything in writing. After all, given that roof replacement projects can get busy, it’s easy to forget crucial project details and deadlines. Before hiring a roofer, you should ask for a roofing proposal.
What to Look for in a Roofing Proposal
A roofing proposal should include the:
- Project scope
- Target start and completion dates
- Complete list of materials that will be used during new roof construction
- Installation methods
- Warranty details
- The process for filing change orders (modifications to the original project scope)
- Payment methods
Important note: Some homeowners use the terms estimates and proposals interchangeably. However, there’s an important difference between the two: proposals (also known as quotes) are more detailed than estimates, which as the name suggests only give you a general idea of the project costs.
Project Management Tips
Here are some additional project management tips:
- Routinely ask for updates – Ask for regular updates from your contractor. For new roof construction and remodeling projects, we recommend visiting your work site at least once a week.
- Avoid getting too preoccupied with the project costs – While it’s important to stay within your budget, you shouldn’t get too preoccupied with the costs. Focus instead on maximizing the returns on your investment.
- Keep your roofer’s contact info – Don’t forget to store your roofing contractor’s number on your phone. That way, you’ll be able to contact them immediately in case your roof needs repairs.
Vetting Contractors
One more thing: A roofing project, or any home improvement project for that matter, is essentially a collaboration between you and your roofing contractor. That’s why it’s important to hire a contractor you can easily get along with.
Here are some vetting tips:
- Hire local – To quickly narrow down your options, limit your search to roofing contractors within your area. Hiring a local also has several advantages. For instance, in addition to their familiarity with local building codes, local contractors are known for their personalized service.
- Ask local references – There’s a good chance some of your friends or neighbors have hired one of the local roofers before. You can ask if they would recommend any of the local roofing companies.
- Check their online reviews – Online reviews should give you a good idea of the level of service you can expect from a contractor. Just keep in mind that a few negative reviews are not necessarily a red flag. Miscommunication happens sometimes, after all. In these cases, what you need to focus on is the contractor’s response to customer complaints. Did they take the time to respond to customers’ concerns? And if they did, was it done in a professional manner?
What if they don’t have an online presence? That in itself is a big red flag. In this day and age, there’s just no excuse for not having a website.
- Check their qualifications – To practice their trade in Florida, contractors need to have a license workers’ insurance (this will help protect you from legal liabilities from injuries that happened on your property), and certifications (certifications are optional, but they’re proof a contractor has undergone professional training and can give you a good idea of their skill level).
Here’s a pro-tip: GAF roofing systems installed by Master Elite® contractors are eligible for exclusive warranties with wider coverage that can help protect the ROIs on your new roof. the Golden Pledge® Warranty, GAF’s strongest warranty option covers roof repairs and replacement costs caused by manufacturer defects and workmanship errors for 50 and 25 years respectively. To learn more about GAF’s exclusive warranty options, consult a Master Elite contractor.
Why Hire a Master Elite Contractor
Aside from exclusive warranties, hiring Master Elite contractors also has other advantages. For starters, you can rest easy knowing that Master Elite contractors will correctly install your roof. After all, not just any roofer can receive the certification—in fact, the requirements are so stringent that only 2% of all roofing contractors qualify. To be certified, a contractor needs to be licensed, adequately insured, committed to ongoing professional training, and have a solid business reputation in their respective communities.
You can also expect quality workmanship and service from a Master Elite contractor every single time. This is part of the reason why a survey of more than 28,000 homeowners found that 93% of the respondents would recommend Master Elite contractors to others.
CQ Construction & Roofing, a GAF Master Elite contractor, has been providing professional roofing services to local residents since 1999. We also offer a wide range of premium roofing materials, including asphalt shingles and metal roof replacement panels. To get a free estimate, call us at (850) 683-4169 or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Crestview as well as the surrounding FL communities.
