So it’s time for a roof replacement and you’re trying to get roof repair estimates. This is a time and task that most home owners dread and postpone for as long as possible. That’s because it can be a frustrating, time-consuming and uncertain challenge.
Not only must you ensure that you get the best quality of roofing materials necessary for the repair job, but you also need to keep your overall cost within reasonable limits. Roof repair estimates from industry professionals is a good first step along this path. But in order to get the highest value from these roof repair estimates, you must first inform yourself adequately about the components involved so that you can make sense of the information provided by contractors.
The nature of your roof repair job and the type of contractor you request for a quote will impact the roof repair estimates you receive. And don’t be surprised if the estimates vary widely, because by their very nature there is flexibility and diversity built into these calculations.
Roof repair estimates that you get can be direct, straightforward and simple to assess. On the other hand, you might find yourself staring at a complex document chock full of numbers and figures, terms and sub-heads, legalese and jargon that you can’t make head or tail of.
Let’s say you’re asking for roof repair estimates on a job that involves fixing a hole in your roof and some damaged shingles. This will usually be a simple evaluation that you can quickly accept or reject. On the other hand, if you’re inquiring about replacing the entire roof, then a bunch of variables crop up that make the roof repair estimates a contractor sends you appear a lot more complex and involved.
When you seek multiple quotations from competing contractors, be sure they are all quoting roof repair estimates for the same job. Another element of the document that you should review is a written statement of the type of work that will be carried out, the estimated date of beginning and finishing the job, and the kind and type of roofing materials that will be used in the project. Handling these specifics upfront before the roofing contractor begins work is a surefire way to avoid future complications and disagreements over price or quality.
The roof repair estimates also become easier to compare when you are detailed and elaborate about the specifications of any project. That way you can make a decision about which contractor to hire based on the quotation for the exact same work.
More than anything else, the thing to look for carefully is the reputation and authenticity of your roofing contractor. Not all contractors are competent, skilled or knowledgeable. While evaluating contractors, make sure the one you pick has special experience in the type of roofing you want installed. A roof repair estimate that comes from a less skilled professional may turn out to be grossly exaggerated or underestimated, not to mention requiring additional expenditure when the job isn’t done well.
After you’re reviewed the roof repair estimates submitted by your chosen contractors, it is a good idea to spend some time talking to them. A short personal meeting can do more to help you assess their skill and experience and reliability more than even the most impressive resume. If your gut tells you that this professional isn’t all that you’re expecting or looking for, choose to walk away as the cost of making a wrong choice is high when it comes to roof repairs.
Some specialists suggest that you get 3 to 5 independent roof repair estimates from contractors before selecting one. Cost alone isn’t the entire story. There are many other factors to consider. Home owners who are focused entirely on how much it will cost often end up having poor quality work done.
Roofing material is important in estimating cost. Decide exactly what materials you will ask the contractor to use. Roof repair estimates will vary by quality and manufacturer. Going with recommended contractors whom a friend or family member has used before can be more reliable than a random search through the yellow pages or on the Web.
Call the contractor and request a roofing quote. How enthusiastically they respond to your request will itself be a good indicator of how keen an attitude they have towards potential customers. A physical inspection of your building will often be necessary for a good contractor to give you a roof repair estimate.
Another important area to ask about is the construction crew. Most contractors will source the workers to carry out your project. Check on their experience and skill, especially for special types of roofing like metal roofs or slate roofing. Obtain references and follow up with them. Drive by or visit those homes to take a look at the quality of work the contractor has done. Viewing a photo album of prior work or even browsing through a catalog on the contractor’s website before asking for a roof repair estimate is good practice.
Once you have all the information you need and a few roof repair estimates, take the time to critically evaluate the data and eliminate the ones you are not completely satisfied with. There are likely to be just a couple of contractors left at this point, and that’s when price becomes an important deciding point.