A big roof repair or even a full roof replacement can be an overwhelming prospect for any homeowner. It’s usually one of the bigger if not the biggest projects you may have to consider for your home and can be both expensive and time consuming.

When choosing a contractor that is trustworthy and the right choice for you, here is a quick checklist for you to go through:

• Make sure that you understand the full scope of the roof project: What exactly is the roofing contractor going to do? Will he be doing spot repairs or replacing your whole roof? What underlayment will the contractor use? Make sure you understand the pros and cons of the different solutions available and that everything is detailed in your contract.
• Ask about clean-up and waste removal: Confirm that your contractor will be responsible for taking away all old materials and cleaning up your site after their work is complete. A quality roofing company will sweep your property for old nails and debris.
• Consider your gutters and landscaping: A roof job will require the use of ladders that can cause damage when leaned against your gutters or stuck in your landscaping. How will your roofer protect against damage or fix things after the job is done? Remedy Roofing will always cover sensitive areas of your yard (flower beds, pools, patios etc.) to protect them from roofing related debris.
• Plan for bad weather: What happens if there is bad weather while your roof project is underway? Ask your roofer about what they will do to protect your home in the case of rain or hail. A good roofing company will watch the weather and plan accordingly, e.g. to quickly cover unfinished roof areas.
• Check your insurance coverage: If your project is for fixing damage, check your (homeowner’s) insurance to see if your particular project is covered and how you should proceed if it is. You also want to check your contractor’s insurance coverage for things like worker’s compensation, property damage, and personal liability.
• Different contractors for different roofing systems: Roofing contractors may be certified to install specific types of roofs. You can check with the manufacturer to see if your contractor is certified for their system. The biggest manufacturers for residential roofing systems in the U.S. are GAF and CertainTeed – make sure your roofer is fully certified with these manufacturers or you risk not having a manufacturers warranty on your roof!

There are also ways you can extend the life of your roof:

• Clear dead or overhanging branches: Have a professional tree service evaluate the branches hanging over your roof and decide whether or not they are a risk. If the branches are dead, that increases the chance of them falling onto your roof. In addition, heavily shaded areas of your roof can retain moisture, which sometimes leads to mold. Regular trimmings of overhanging branches will help your roof dry in a uniform manner.
• Inspect for hail damage: After strong storms, especially hailstorms, have an experienced roofing contractor inspect your roof. Dimples and cracks on the shingles are key indicators that hail damage has occurred. Remedy Roofing recommends having your roof inspected at least once a year or whenever a major weather occurrence (like hail or storm) has hit your neighborhood.

Common roofing scams often occur after a storm when a roofer “just happens” to be on your street and notices damage to your roof. Another approach is to knock on your door and tell you they have extra shingles or roofing from another job and can offer you a good deal. Also check out our blog article that explores how you can recognize a legitimate roofing company that will not run with your insurance money: http://remedyroofing.com/beware-of-storm-chasers/