Roofing-How do you decide?

Steve S · #1 08-13-2010, 04:07 PM

We need to refoof our house of 19 years. We've gotten bids from $3,000 to $9,000. What are some things that we should look at before hiring a contractor? The person who seemed the nicest said that he had two 280 pound Samoans who could do the work quickly...should I be concerned with 280 pound people on my roof?

MatticusMania · #2 08-13-2010, 04:12 PM

My parents had their house re-roofed a few years ago.

One thing to consider... how many layers of shingle are currently on your house (has the roof been redone before) and how many layers are you permitted to have? I ask because the roofers may be able to lay a new roof over what is currently there, or they may need to take off all the current shingling and start from scratch. If they need to remove the current shingling, see if that and hauling it away are covered in the cost.

elgecko · #3 08-13-2010, 04:16 PM

I'd be most interested in talking to people who are familiar with the prospective roofer's work (i.e. references). Generally, I'd be more comfortable with a licensed contractor (check the state board website) who's been in business a long time (check the BBB website) with solid contracts, paying special attention to warranties in case the first rain uncovers shoddy work. Lastly, remember that unless you sell the house, you'll be living with that roof for a LONG TIME!

Jim Campbell · #4 08-13-2010, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve S

We need to refoof our house of 19 years. We've gotten bids from $3,000 to $9,000. What are some things that we should look at before hiring a contractor? The person who seemed the nicest said that he had two 280 pound Samoans who could do the work quickly...should I be concerned with 280 pound people on my roof?

first,find out how many squares your roof is,as you can call around and get per square quotes...check out alternatives to asphalt like slate and earthen tiles,depending on how long you intend to keep the house.....ask how much they want extra to fix any rotten boards,shingle removal/dumpster fees,what kind of shingles they will use.....25-30 year types are priced differently.....

make sure they are going to tarp the sides of your house to prevent damage from falling shingles,and the neighbors if applicable,and accept responsibility if they do any damage....will they pick up roofing nails with a magnet after.......are their trucks going to tear up your lawn....a written guarantee from a company that has been and will be in bid'nez for a while helps

if your roof can't hold 2 big samoan dudes you got more problems than shingles will fix.....

MatticusMania · #5 08-13-2010, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

if your roof can't hold 2 big samoan dudes you got more problems than shingles will fix.....

lol, though true

Phalex · #6 08-13-2010, 05:07 PM

If they aren't bonded and insured, move on to the next contestant.

MJ5150 · #7 08-13-2010, 05:34 PM

Do it yourself.

-Mike

Bongolation · #8 08-13-2010, 06:33 PM

I'm in the middle of doing my own -- HUGELY -- more work undoing the code-violating, intentionally rip-off job my late parents paid top-dollar for to a "reputable" local company who then subbed it out to a bunch of Travelers or something.

Even if you're not going to do it yourself, educate yourself about the process and watch whoever does it like a hawk.

Roofing is probably the most crook-ridden construction trade there is.

You've been warned!

DigMe · #9 08-13-2010, 07:20 PM

Careful going the lowest bidder. The last time I hired someone for contracted work and took the lowest bidder I had to do it myself in the end.

bc

L-A · #10 08-13-2010, 08:01 PM

You should be careful of those who have two prices - one with, and one without a receipt.

Bongolation · #11 08-13-2010, 08:05 PM

Roofing's not especially skilled work, so you might consider doing it yourself after having the tear-off done by someone else. Getting the whole tear-off done can often be just slightly more than just hiring the debris box and maybe even less, if you would be taking a while to do it yourself and had to pay extended rental on the box.

If you're not doing tear-off, just adding shingles, just buy a roof nailer for your compressor and rock out. That stuff's bone-simple.

I saw some beautiful roofing nailers at OSH two weeks ago on half-price sale for $47.99. It was all I could do to keep myself from buying one, even though I alrready have a new roofing nailer.

Steve S · #12 08-14-2010, 01:28 PM

I was told that it'd take from 2 to 3 days. I'll learn more about the process but I would hate to do something wrong by doing it myself. I'd be afraid that I wouldn't know until the rains come in the fall..

funkydjembe · #13 08-14-2010, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

first,find out how many squares your roof is,as you can call around and get per square quotes...check out alternatives to asphalt like slate and earthen tiles,depending on how long you intend to keep the house.....ask how much they want extra to fix any rotten boards,shingle removal/dumpster fees,what kind of shingles they will use.....25-30 year types are priced differently.....

make sure they are going to tarp the sides of your house to prevent damage from falling shingles,and the neighbors if applicable,and accept responsibility if they do any damage....will they pick up roofing nails with a magnet after.......are their trucks going to tear up your lawn....a written guarantee from a company that has been and will be in bid'nez for a while helps

if your roof can't hold 2 big samoan dudes you got more problems than shingles will fix.....

good answer ,I did a lot of roof work myself (about 5 years),,also important, do you have snow loads where you live? Because sometimes the structure is not dimensioned to have heavier loads like a concrete tile roof as apposed to a lightweight shingle or tar roof. What is the condition of the flashing (be it lead copper or tin). Is the wood underneath rotten? best to check out as much as possible beforehand.

Jim Campbell · #14 08-14-2010, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkydjembe

good answer ,I did a lot of roof work myself (about 5 years),,also important, do you have snow loads where you live? Because sometimes the structure is not dimensioned to have heavier loads like a concrete tile roof as apposed to a lightweight shingle or tar roof. What is the condition of the flashing (be it lead copper or tin). Is the wood underneath rotten? best to check out as much as possible beforehand.

snow....oh a tad....they actually market extendable rake like gizmo's to remove snow without climbing up....problems with ice damming as well

P. Aaron · #15 08-14-2010, 03:45 PM

LIke most contractors, a good roofer is worth the price. Yeah, you can do it yourself, you can also re-do the damaged drywall & water damage yourself.

Pros make everything look easy.

Ask your friends, neighbors, or co-workers about the experiences they have had with their roofer or builder. Word-of-mouth is probably the best reference you'll get.

DO it yourself only if you're absolutely confident that you will do as good of a job as a pro and the roof YOU install will repel the elements that nature throws at your home.

Mike M. · #16 08-14-2010, 03:54 PM

I had a new roof installed on my house about 15 years ago. Can't remember the cost, but it came down to two bidders, one real high and one real low. The house had to get re-roofed and seeing how I was recovering finacially from a divorce I went with the low bidder. I took a chance on them because after a few phone calls I found out they'd been in the business since 1975, so I figured they must be doing something right.

No regrets. Four guys came out, tore the old shingles off, replaced areas of wood around the edges that needed replacing, did a great job and I've had no problems.

They say you get what you pay for, but these guys were great. Went above and beyond.

MIJ-VI · #17 08-14-2010, 04:01 PM

How to hire a roofing contractor.
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&so...=Google+Search

funkydjembe · #18 08-14-2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

snow....oh a tad....they actually market extendable rake like gizmo's to remove snow without climbing up....problems with ice damming as well

if you have ice damming up on your roof,,then that means that you have warm spots where there is little or no insulation. Usually, in winter places,,you would have at least 8" insulation, then a 2" air space over that to keep the roof cool. Problem being that when there are damns (dams?) on the roof, then water goes up past the shingles or whatever

guitar ed · #19 08-14-2010, 06:02 PM

Make sure the contractor has insurance issued by a company in your state. Out of state insurers are not always required to pay.

Make sure the contractor has his own workmans comp, otherwise you pay it.

Having done some extensive remodeling, I would throw out the high & low bids, and look at the middle, unless there is something compelling about one or the other. I had a tree removed, and 3 bids were close to the same, 1 bid WAY high. But they were the people I preferred, because they seemed most competent. I called the boss and explained the situation & he came out & looked & lowered his bid. It was still the highest, but I went with it and did not regret it.

Last, compare materials, who hauls what, and clean up stuff. That may explain some of the differences.

edg