Texas is an incredible place to live! There’s great southern hospitality, the world’s best barbecue, football, and belief in God, family, and country - the Lone Star state has it all! Unfortunately, the Lone Star state has also been leading the nation in hail storms for the past several years. And the “everything’s bigger in Texas” seems to apply to the hail and wind, too. In fact, the latest estimate is that 300,000 roofs are replaced in Texas each year.
Knowing that the Dallas area is often hit means that you may end up needing to hire a roofing contractor. Unless you know someone personally who has a roofing business and that you trust and know will do a great job, finding a roofing contractor may be a huge pain. It will mean doing a little research - calling friends, checking online, and eventually contacting the contractors and then talking to them, getting bids, and determining who you are going to hire.
It can be daunting! Following are some insider secrets to help make the process, hopefully, a little easier.
1- Maintenance Pays - Most roofing contractors suggest inspecting your roof at least twice a year, especially in locations that experience extreme weather conditions. It’s a lot more cost effective for the homeowner to catch a problem before it gets too bad. Additionally, it can mean the difference between a roof repair and a roof replacement. It’s estimated that the average roof is being replaced a minimum of 7 to 10 years premature in the marketplace. If you are not comfortable climbing on your roof to do an inspection, it’s a good idea to call a professional roofing contractor. This is important even if your roof is fairly new if you live in the Dallas, Texas, area. Assuming your roof has not been damaged my hail when it has, could really cost you later.
2- Insurance companies are not always looking out for your best interests - Regardless of how long you may have been paying for insurance on your home/roof, your insurance company may not want to give you as much as you think it should. Your insurance company is also looking out for their best interests and will often pay as little as possible towards your damaged roof/home. It’s really important to have an experienced and reputable roofing contractor meet with the insurance adjustor - even during inspection, if possible, and point out the various areas of damage. Often, if you have an experienced roofing contractor, they can help get your best coverage value.
3- The lowest estimate may not be the best deal - It’s important to know the reputation of your roofing contractor. Are they local? Do they have excellent recommendations? References? Do they use high quality products? Is their workmanship professional? Are they licensed and insured? Know the answers to all of the above questions because if your roof happens to be damaged by a severe storm, there are plenty of fly-by-night roofers who will come through and give you the low bid, but you end up getting what you pay for, or sometimes you just get taken. On the other hand, if you have an excellent roofing contractor, local, who happens to have the low bid, that’s great!
4- The high estimate doesn’t always mean the best quality roof - Again, here it is important to be familiar with your roofer. Ask the same questions as above. Sometimes roofing contractors will ask more because they know they can get more. Their workmanship and materials are not necessarily any better, it just ends up costing you more.
5- Product quality and workmanship are extremely important - Your roofing contractor should know how to install your roof using the specific products being used on your roof. Often, if things are not done precisely to company specifications, your warranty can be void or may not extend as long. Additionally, poor workmanship - or a product not properly installed - can definitely impact the soundness of your roof. Be sure you hire a reputable roofing contractor.
6- Your roofing contractor should know city and HOA code/requirements and take care of all of the permits - If they are not familiar with any of this, you should be concerned.
7- If a roofing contractor cannot answer your questions, you should also be concerned - A reputable roofing contractor knows his product, knows the city/county/HOA requirements, knows his workers, and knows how to communicate with his customers. He should be able to answer all questions to the customer’s satisfaction.
Reputable roofing contractors go to great lengths to meet the needs of their customers and to provide excellent service as well as a high quality finished product. The stress here is to to be sure you are hiring someone who is reputable. Professional roofing contractors do not like to see people taken advantage of and left with sub-par work, or worse, money taken without any benefit because it reflects poorly on all roofing contractors. Be sure you’re hiring someone who can and will deliver top quality products and service.
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