Replacing your roof is a big decision to make. Depending on the materials you choose, your roof can last 50 years or more. As such, you want to ensure that you make a decision that you will not regret in the future, whether you continue to live in your home for the lifespan of your roof or sell it at some point. To ensure you select the right roof and understand the process of replacing it, make sure you know the following things.



If Replacement Is Necessary
Most property owners will want to know whether or not it is necessary to replace their roof at the given point in time. Since a full roof replacement can be expensive, it is common to put it off as long as possible. As such, you may want to confirm with your roofing contractor that it is time for a replacement if you are on a budget. If you are simply bored with your current roof or do not want to deal with repairs in the immediate future, then you do not necessarily need to know whether the replacement is necessary at this stage.

The Various Materials
Before you actually replace the roof, you should also be aware of the various materials that are available for roofs. These change slightly over time and even long-established materials, like asphalt shingles, see improvements. Familiarize yourself with the various materials available such as asphalt shingles, slate, shakes, metal, and others. This will help you decide which one is right for your particular needs. If you are still unsure, ask your roofing contractor for help selecting; they should gladly answer your questions.

Proper Installation Is Key
You should also be fully aware of the importance of proper installation for your roof. Know that while you could theoretically install the roof yourself, you would likely do a poor job and possibly void any warranties on materials that exist. This is something that is best left to the professionals. You should also ask the roofers about the general process they will follow. This includes whether they are stripping the existing shingles on your roof (when applicable) or leaving them in place and layering the new roof on top. You should also ask them if the installation will lead to a height difference. Do not forget to also ask other questions about installation such as the process they will follow for trimming and flashing.

The Warranty
Make sure to ask about the warranty on your roof before you sign any paperwork. Ask about the warranty for the materials and if labor is covered. Ask specific questions about what will be covered and what will not. You should also ask about the process of making warranty claims. Be sure to get all of the answers in writing.

Expect Noise
There are also some things you should know about the actual process of removing the old roof and installing the new one. Most importantly, you should know that this will be a noisy process. You may want to warn your immediate neighbors ahead of time so they can try to stay out of their house during the periods of peak noise. You may also want to consider staying somewhere else while the work is going on so you do not have to deal with the noise. This is particularly important if you are sensitive to noise.

That Your Roofer Is Reputable
Since the roof is among the most important structures in your home, you should know whether the roofing contractor you hire is reputable before you sign a contract, pay, or let them start the project. This means that you need to confirm the contractor is licensed and insured. You should also ask for referrals to make sure that past customers are happy with the contractor’s work.

Have A Contract
Make sure that you have a contract for the roofing project before the contractors begin their work. The contract should outline everything that you have discussed, including the materials used, your chosen color, what parts of the roof are being worked on, whether it is a full replacement, if they are layering or stripping, the warranty, and what other tasks like flashing are included.

Cleanup Will Take Place
As you iron out all the details with the roofer, make sure that there is some sort of process in place for cleaning up the area. Confirm whether the contractor will haul away materials from the old roof or if you need to hire a dumpster for them to use. Also, confirm that they will take care of the cleanup, including collecting the thousands of nails that came off of your old roof. You do not want random nails and fasteners laying all over your property. If you ever have any doubts about your roof replacement during the selection and installation process, your roofing contractor should be able to answer them.

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