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How to Choose a Contractor - 5 Easy Steps to Getting Good Roofing Work Steps 3,4 & 5 InspectAPedia®  -     How to find & choose a roofing contractor for new or replacement roofing How to choose a roofing material or shingle How to negotiate the roofing contract How to get a good roofing job

When you need to repair your roof or replace roof coverings on a building, this article gives advice to assist in choosing a roofing contractor - by Jessie Srader, [edits and additions by DJF]. Whatever your roofing repair or replacement needs, you need a qualified professional roofing contractor you can trust.

This means finding a roofing contractor who knows good roofing practices, roof flashing details, how to handle problem spots on building roofs, and alternative roof covering products: shingle types, grades, colors, low slope roofing, flat roofing materials, etc. A competent roofer will provide you with sound advice on products, reasonable explanation of procedures, and, most important-solid results - no leaks, and a durable roof. It's difficult to determine the capabilities and reliability of a contractor.

That's why this article was written as a simple, step-by-step guide designed to help you find the roofing contractor who's right for you. Readers should also see How to Get the Best Roofing Job for a simple basic outline of the key ingredients to a good roofing job and a long lasting roof. Also see Our main roofing information website.

© Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website.

STEP 3: CHOOSING ROOF MATERIAL - Utilizing the Roofing Contractor's Product Knowledge

Your contractor should have up-to-date knowledge on quality products for your project. He or she is the best source of information, but you should play an active role in the product selection process. Ask questions about different materials such as brand names, life span, thickness, design, available colors and warranties. Selecting the best products is as important to your job as selecting the right contractor.

STEP 4: NEGOTIATE ROOFING CONTRACT - Understanding and Negotiating the Roofing Contract

Prior to drafting a contract, most contractors will provide you with either an estimate or a proposal. An estimate typically provides a single price, a generically described product, a color and no options. A proposal offers more detail with a choice of products by brand name, prices, services and designs. A proposal will normally offer options-good, better and best-and include product samples and literature.

A contractor who takes the time to prepare a good proposal will most likely do a more thorough job. All items to be accomplished should be written as part of your contract.

Get it in writing. Beware of verbal promises.

When a contract is presented, it should spell out the proposed work, prices and completion date. Read the contract carefully. Misunderstandings are the most common cause of contract disputes. Pay special attention to be certain the following points are covered in the contract.

• Building Permits - What's necessary? Consider local ordinances, costs, posting requirements.
• Start and Completion Dates including plan of action in case of weather delays.
• Products Materials -what will be used, brands, colors, etc.
• Project Inspections - number of inspections, completion timetable
• Site Procedures - work hours, clean-up procedures on the around your home, safety precautions, etc.
• Warranties - including both workmanship and product.
• Terms - detailed as method of payment to include a lien waiver upon final payment.
• Liens - You should be aware that under the laws of most states, a contractor who does work on your home, or a supplier of materials for such work, has a right to place a lien on your property. Make sure all essential elements of your agreement are written down and understood by both parties.
• Also, require the contractor to inform you of who his supplier will be along with any subcontractors which will be used on the job. Either pay them yourself or require that you have a receipt showing they have been paid before paying your contractor.
• Right-to-Rescind - providing the right to cancel the contract without penalty within a set period of time (usually three days).

STEP 5: LETTING THE ROOFER ROOF - Let the Roofing Contractor Do His/Her Work: Sit Back and Relax

A little well-planned research up front will undoubtedly save you a lot of time and trouble later on. Once you feel confident that you have the best contractor, the best products, the best value simply relax and let your contractor do his job. Do, however monitor the progress of your project to be certain your contractor lives up to his superior reputation.

Hopefully the information in this brochure will simplify the task of choosing a professional contractor.

If you are considering a roofing project and you live in the Houston, Texas area For a free estimate call A & M Roofing. Ask for Jessie Srader and Tell me you heard about it on the Net for a coupon for 24' of ridge vent for free with the purchase of a new roof.

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ROOFING INSPECTION & REPAIR
CERTIFICATIONS for ROOFING CONTRACTORS
  Questions and Answers about GAF Master Elite
  Anecdote of a "Bad" Roofing Contractor
  The GAF Master Elite^TM roofing program
  How to Get the Best Roofing Job
CHOOSING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR
  STEP 1: FINDING A ROOFER
  STEP 2: CHOOSING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR
  STEP 3: CHOOSING ROOF MATERIAL
  STEP 4: NEGOTIATE ROOFING CONTRACT
  STEP 5: LETTING THE ROOFER ROOF
ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOFING
ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES
CHIMNEY INSPECTION & REPAIRS
FIRE RETARDANT PLYWOOD
ROOF INSPECTION SAFETY & LIMITS
ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS
ROOF VENTING ENERGY SAVING DETAILS
SLATE ROOF INSPECTION & REPAIR
SOD ROOFING
SIDING WOOD
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Building Exteriors
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Roofs
STANDARDS for ROOFING
STONE ROOFING
THATCH ROOFING
THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS
THERMAL MASS in BUILDINGS
THERMAL MASS in UPSTAIRS
TILE ROOFING
WARRANTIES for ROOF SHINGLES
  CLASS ACTION SHINGLE LAWSUITS
  REPORTING SHINGLE FAILURES
  ROOF FAILURE REPORT FORM
WORKMANSHIP & WIND DAMAGE

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• Fiberglass Asphalt Shingle Failures Information and Claims GAF & Other Shingle Failures Website; Thermal Splitting of Asphalt Shingles & other shingle failures
• Fire Retardant Treated FRT Plywood Failures inspection, detection, testing of defective FRT plywood roof sheathing
• Slate Roofs: How to Inspect and Repair Slate Roofs - Detailed Procedures for Inspection and Repair of Slate Roofs - ASHI Technical Journal, 1991, Updated 2006
• Slate Roofs: Inspecting and Evaluating Slate Roofs Hudson Valley ASHI seminar content



• Roofing our links to roofing practices, other roofing product failures such as American Cemwood roof failures, failures in Masonite OmniWood Siding and Masonite Woodruf Roofing

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