Hiring a contractor to install roofing shingles is something that homeowners only negotiate about once every 20 years, so reviewing all that is involved is probably a wise course of action for anyone. Obtaining quotes from roofing companies you have dealt with in the past, as well as those recommended by coworkers, friends, and family, is a smart way to go, once the decision to replace a roof has been made.

Something to consider, at the same time a roof is replaced, that many professional contractors may urge, is the replacement of aluminum gutters. Muncie, IN; Green Bay, WI; Grand Rapids, MI; and most other areas of the nation have seamless gutter installers available. Even the most professional roofing job is of little value if gutters are blocked or leaking, allowing water to travel into the rafters or wall studs of a home, conceivably causing tens of thousands of dollars of damage.

Check For Signs Of Professionalism

As with all contractors, make sure that the company you chose to replace your roof carries adequate liability and other insurance, which covers potential injuries to employees, your family, or anyone else, during the course of the work.

All professional roofing contractors will provide a quote that specifies a price and under what conditions the price may change. The quote should include an estimate of the time and amount of materials the job will take. It should also include information about any warranties, including how many years the work is covered for. After the job is complete, consumers should be presented with an itemized list, showing exactly what the actual costs were, including labor and materials.

Replace Roofing Material When Installing Solar Panels

For those considering installing solar panels, replacing shingles or other roofing material, as well as inspecting the underlying structure, at the same time might result in significant savings. Make sure the manufacturer of the roofing material you choose approves of its use together with solar panels.

Most residential roofs are covered with traditional asphalt shingles, metal, or composites designed to look like slate and other materials. Metal roofs are safer, in that they will not burn, and weigh less than asphalt shingles. However, metal roofs can be noisy in rain and are not as forgiving to damage as asphalt. Composite shingles are generally quite a bit more expensive than asphalt shingles, but less expensive than the materials they are designed to emulate: slate being an example.

Two Layers, But No More

Homes that presently have one layer of asphalt shingles installed, and a roof with no underlying structural issues, can request new asphalt shingles be laid over top. Roofs can support the weight of two layers of asphalt shingles safely, but not three. Most municipal bylaws, among other legislation, requires that contractors remove shingles from houses with two layers, because of dangers presented by excessive weight. Consumer Reports estimates that homeowners can expect to pay $100 for each square foot of shingles that is removed.