Did you know that you could save up to 40% on your energy bills by having a new roof installed? Before you call the roofer to get started on that valuable home improvement, you should know that there is more that your roofer can do for you. As an expert in roofing and everything related, they should also be able to give you home siding ideas, and save you money by installing your roof correctly the first time. As you begin your search for a roofer, here are three questions that you might ask yourself.
- How do you choose a competent roofer?
Besides being insured, in business for a long time, thoroughly vetted, and able to provide excellent customer service, a competent roofer will also inform you if there is trouble with your gutters. People tend to forget about their gutters, or prefer not to think of them, because they can cost between $12 and $20 per foot. However, if gutters are not properly maintained, they can rust, develop holes, and then do extensive damage to your siding. Wet, dirty, or moist siding beneath the gutters, or peeling paint on the siding may mean that your gutters are to blame, and you may need some home siding ideas from your roofer.
A competent roofer will alert you to potential problems with your roof and gutters as they relate to your siding. A good roofer will also have all the materials to properly install a roof. For example, to make a roof water resistant, the roofer should be using tar paper, or some other water resistant material.
- Do you know your roofing warranty?
If you need roof repair, it could already be covered by your insurance company, or by the material warranties used in the last repair or construction. The important thing to remember about having your new roof put in, is that that material and roofing warranties are only valid as long as there is proper installation. If you claim a faulty roof, the manufacturer may check to make sure that their product was properly aligned, fastened, and lapped to their specific requirements. Therefore, choosing a competent roofer is as important as knowing what the warranties on your roof are. Without a professional roofing contractor, there is no warranty.
- What does your roof have to do with your siding?
Your residential roofing contractor will know the best siding options and have home siding ideas to coordinate with your new roof. They may not be able to install siding for you, but they might have insight into a preferred siding. Did you know that if you are reselling your house, you can recoup about 73% of the initial cost of vinyl siding, and about 79% of the original cost of fiber-cement siding? Wood and metal siding are two other home siding ideas that your roofer might recommend.
Try to arrange for the work to occur in dry weather so that you do not have to worry about rain, or a wet lawn getting badly damaged from the construction. A good roofer can help you save money by installing your roof correctly, therefore maintaining the warranty on the materials, and by alerting you to any gutter or siding issues. You should also discuss with your prospective roofer what they can do to minimize damage to your property, and what the schedule for construction will be.