When you first start looking into getting a roof replacement, or start having some issues with your roof, one of the first things you should do is call out a few roofing companies to inspect it, determine if you actually need a full replacement, and give you an estimate at how much the project will cost.
While you may initially feel comfortable with one roofing company’s opinion, you might want to at least get a couple more out there to get a second or third opinion. Maybe get a few companies in different price ranges to get an idea of the differing levels of work that they offer.
In today’s blog we’re going to go over:
And as a bonus:
Let’s get started!
Roof replacements are a pretty big undertaking, and are such a significant project, you need to know everything you can about what’s on your roof, what’s going to be on your roof, and who’s going to be putting it on.
They’re also expensive, with most asphalt shingle roof replacements costing around, or a little over, $10,000. You do NOT want that expense to fail you, as repairs can end up getting fairly expensive themselves. It’s in your home’s, and wallet’s, best interest to consider all of your options.
With that being said, let’s get more in depth on some of those reasons.
Just because you had a leak, or some damage to your shingles, doesn’t mean that you need a full roof replacement! A reputable roofing contractor will be up front and honest with you about what your roof needs, and should be able to provide you with pictures of any damage, and explanations of how that damage affects whether or not you need a replacement, or if a repair is all that’s necessary.
Typically, these kinds of questions revolve around the age of the roof. A roof that’s at the end of its lifespan is only going to start taking damage more often, so the more economical, and safe, option might be to get a full replacement.
By having multiple different quality contractors check out your roof, you’ll be having multiple professional opinions about what the problem is, where it’s coming from, and what the best path for your home moving forward.
By calling multiple roofing companies for an estimate or quote, you’ll be able to get a better feel for how the different roofing companies in your area interact with their customers. If one company tries to pressure you into something you don’t want, or is trying to sell you on a replacement, when the others feel like all you need is a repair, then that’s probably a company that you don’t want to work with.
If you make sure that you find multiple quotes, it also forces you to do your own research on the companies, and find a few, rather than just calling up the first one you see on Google. We’ll give you some more tips on how to find a good local roofing company later in this blog, but we’ll tell you right now that once you’ve interacted with a few of the companies that you’re considering, you’ll start to have a pretty good idea of who is going to perform quality work, and who just wants your business.
The last reason to have multiple estimates is probably the most important to a lot of homeowners. By having different contractors quote your roofing project, you’ll be able to compare the prices for the work, and find out what exactly you’re paying for with each company.
Some contractors will give their estimates with much cheaper material costs than others, either by not installing the full roof system (shingles, underlayment, ice/water shield, drip edge, & flashing), or not using as high quality materials in the replacement.
Others won’t have a very experienced crew installing your roof, which means they will be paying less labor costs, and charge you less for the job.
After getting these estimates, you’ll need to take into account what the cheaper costs mean for your roof. An experienced crew, using high-quality materials, greatly reduces the risk that you’ll need additional repairs in the future.
By having the multiple estimates, you can compare and contrast what each roofing company is offering you, and figure out which one best suits your needs for your home.
Now that you know the reasons for having multiple estimates and inspections performed, you’re probably wanting to know what the right number to get is. Typically, we recommend that homeowners get at least two to three quotes when looking for a full roof replacement. You’ll definitely want to get an additional opinion if the first two you get are at odds about the extent of repair that your roof needs.
You won’t be going wrong by getting more than three, but once you start to get up there, you may feel that you’re wasting your time. This will be especially true if your roof is actively leaking and needing a repair fast.
You can find a great local roofing company by asking people you trust, and checking online reviews to ensure that customers have had a good experience with the company.
If your neighbor or friends have had their roofs replaced recently, they can be a great resource for you to help you look for companies. You might be able to see yard signs with the company logo on it, or the beautiful new roof may speak for itself.
Online review can also be a great source for you to learn real customer testimonies, and how well their time working with the roofing company went.
Some other tips: make sure that the company in question has a local address, ask for examples of their work in your area, and pick a contractor that has plenty of years of experience.
Now that you’ve learned some more about getting multiple quotes for your roof replacement, I hope you’re starting to feel more confident taking the next steps in your roofing project!
If you live in the Raleigh area, reach out to us here at On Tops Roofing! We’ve got more than 30 years of roof replacement experience, so we’ll be happy to help out with whatever your roofing project requires!
Jeff Baxter, Sr: Dec 17, 2023
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