Roof replacement is one of the most expensive home projects you can do. It is also a project that can lead to even more costly expenses if done incorrectly. As the owner of a Mesa roofing company, I have seen many homeowners waste money because they or the contractor they hired made mistakes or cut corners during the job. Roof replacement, when done correctly, can add significant value to your home. It can also decrease your home’s value if done incorrectly. Here are the biggest mistakes Arizona homeowners make when replacing their roofs.
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DIY roof replacement
I understand the appeal of wanting to replace a roof yourself. Materials are already expensive, and hiring a pro means you have to pay for labor as well. Someone who is good with their hands may think that cutting out the labor cost of roofing and replacing the roof yourself is the more economical option. I am here to tell you it is not. Roof replacement is a professional job, and it’s essential to hire a skilled roofing contractor to do it. The potential cost of screwing up or injuring yourself is too high to risk a DIY roof replacement.
Roofing contractors spend years perfecting their craft and working on the exact type of roof you have day in and day out. They have a team of professionals on your roof ensuring each tile is installed efficiently and correctly. Most importantly, your roofing contractor is liable if they screw up. They have warranties and insurance in case something bad happens. If they screw up, they pay for it. If you screw up, you pay for it.
Not shopping around
Never take the first bid offered to you. Shop around and get a few bids from multiple roofing contractors who have been in business for at least 10 years. A reputable contractor isn’t going to take their quote away just because you are shopping around. Homeowners rarely receive enough bids, and pricing can vary drastically from one company to the next. You can save a significant amount of money without sacrificing quality by obtaining quotes from multiple roofing companies.
Get a quote from at least three roofing companies before hiring one. When you hire a contractor, check their rating with the Better Business Bureau and review the status of their license at the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
Only considering the lowest bid
Roof replacement costs a significant amount of money, so automatically hiring the lowest bidder can be an enticing option. However, you need to do your research and avoid hiring a contractor because they are cheap. The quality of materials and labor can significantly change the cost of a roof replacement, and a roofer charging substantially less than their competition is usually sacrificing some level of quality, labor, or both.
Roofers who underbid are also less likely to have a good warranty, so when your inexpensive, low-quality roof eventually breaks, you won’t be as protected.
Lastly, a good roofer understands their value. They will want to work with you to get you a good deal, but not at the expense of diminishing the value their skill and reputation have earned them.
Not communicating with your roofer
You should maintain constant contact with your roofing contractor to ensure they are completing the job as promised. Before you hire them, have them commit to regularly checking in with you before and after completing major job milestones. For example, if they promised to felt your roof before adding shingles, they should show you the added felt before installing the shingles.
Your roofer should provide you with an itemized list of everything they plan to do and review the progress every day they work for you.
Homeowners who get taken advantage of are often those who fail to communicate effectively with their roofer.
Procrastinating a roof replacement
Arizona homeowners almost always wait too long to replace their roofs. They wait for something bad to happen, such as a large leak or a major windstorm that damages a significant amount of shingles. They hold off on all the small leaks and tiny issues that signal it is time for a roof replacement.
A roof typically lasts between 20 and 25 years, and you need to be thinking about a potential replacement before you reach the end of a roof’s life, not when it finally goes. Replacing a roof in an emergency is going to cost you more and give you fewer options because you don’t have the time to do your research. Inspect your roof once every five years if you have a new roof and annually if your roof is 15 years or older.
Replace your roof before it falls apart.
A roof replacement is an expensive endeavor. Avoid the added expenses of fixing mistakes by hiring a professional, obtaining a few quotes, and selecting a roofer based on their skill rather than price. Follow these steps and will avoid the mistakes that so many homeowners have made.
Author: Tyler Johnson is the Owner of Johnson Roofing in Mesa, Arizona. The roofing company specializes in assisting East Valley homeowners with all their roofing installation and repair needs.
