By Mitch Rice
There could be many reasons why you need a roof replacement. Your old roof may have outlived its life span and is now considerably aged and possibly damaged. Perhaps it poses a safety hazard to occupants and items inside the building, or it may have developed leaks. Your energy bills may be unusually high. On the other hand, if your roof is in good condition, you could be planning a building makeover, and new roofing is part of the project. Older roofs may look shabby and faded, or the style may be outdated.
Whatever the reasons for a replacement, a new roof means a significant investment in the property. Apart from material and labor costs, you may have to move out of the building for a while till the work is complete. You may require local or civic permissions, and you need to inform your neighbors about possible disturbance.
If yours is an older roof and you want to replace it with exactly the same style and materials, you will have to inform the contractor about this so that they can find sources for the right materials and research the construction before they give you a quote.
It is important to plan your project during a time of good weather so that the work gets done in time and without risk to occupants of the building or workers.
All these aspects need planning and resources. However, there’s one major issue that you have to prioritize above all, and that is to hire a roofing contractor. For more information,visit https://www.firstclassroofing.com.au/
Tips To Get The Best Quote
The roofing industry provides training and licensing to thousands of contractors who set up their own businesses or work for a roofing company. Since there is not much standardization in terms of rates and prices, you can negotiate to a certain degree and get the rate that falls within your budget, needs and preferences.
The best practice is to get at least two or three quotes from trusted, well-established businesses that have handled projects like yours. This may take considerable time and effort, but in the long run, it’s worth every dollar. This will help you to understand the differences in cost of materials, labor and time taken.
Tap trustworthy sources such as friends, neighbors and relatives who have successfully completed a project like yours. You can also check with your local trades directories or websites.
Most contractors offer a free inspection and a no-obligations quote. Plan for the inspection during a time when you are free and not distracted by other business.
Read every part of the quotation carefully and make notes in case you have questions.
The quote should have certain basic elements that are provided in detail. It should preferably be on a formal letterhead that gives the address and telephone number of the contractor, and signed by an authorized person. The main thing is that it should be a physical document, or a printable one that you receive via e-mail.
If you’re dealing with a firm, it’s wise to check the identity and professional qualifications of the contractor assigned to you. The quote represents a detailed description of the scope of work, how it will be done, costs, workforce required and the start and finish dates. It will also contain the payment terms and describe how waste materials will be removed and disposed of. The area should also be cleaned up after the job.
The contractor should be licensed, insured and certified. Some roofers will help you to obtain the permits and deal with any paperwork that has to be completed, or you may need to handle this yourself.
Your quote should also inform you about warranties for materials and workmanship.
The quote must give you adequate information about penalties for delay or non-completion of work.
How To Evaluate Multiple Quotes
You can compare the basic elements such as materials and labor at first glance. However, different roofers may have different rates based on the complexity of the work and the experience and skill of their workers.
If you’re hiring an out of town contractor, they will add the costs of transportation along with the costs of hiring workers from outside.
If you’re installing a completely different roof the costs will reflect this. For instance, if you’re replacing your tiled roof with a modern metal one, the work involved is not the same and will need a different set of skills. This will be reflected in the overall cost.
Some contractors may offer a contactless quote, where they don’t physically inspect the building. They rely on drones, maps or satellite images to get an idea of the location and work involved. If they need to conduct any internal inspections on the building, prioritize your privacy and safety before allowing workers into your home or office. Check whether the inspection is free or whether it is a chargeable service.
Finally, when you compare quotes, keep it firmly in mind that cheapest is not always the best. You could end up with poor quality or incomplete work, substandard materials and unprofessional behavior.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.