Roofing is not the kind of work just anyone can do or wants to do, but having a good roof over our heads now that’s something everyone wants. Many people shingle their own roof but there are many reasons why you might want to hire someone to do it for you.
1. Not everyone is comfortable with heights.
2. Safety is a big factor.
3. For some it may be know how though it is not hard to learn.
4. Time is sometimes a controller as well

Most of the time it is one of the first two that causes a homeowner to hire someone to put a new roof on their house and these are important considerations. Before you put a new roof on your house here are some things to keep in mind whether you are doing it yourself or hiring someone to do it for you.

There are many different types of roofing available today and the life expectancy of your roof depends on several factors; type of roofing, quality of material, proper ventilation, and how harsh the weather elements are in your area. On the average a roof can last anywhere from 10 – 100 years depending on the material used and with regular maintenance and normal weathering conditions.

The most common roofing material is asphalt shingles 15 – 40 years. Wood shakes or shingles which are not as common as they used to be 5o years ago last 10 – 40 years. Metal roofing has changed over the last 10-20 years and there are some real stylish and quality metal roofs out there which last 20 – 45 years. Built up roofing usually lasts 12 – 20 years but it is mostly used commercially and only on flat roofs. Specialty material like slate or tile can last up to 100 years under good conditions and is often seen on church roofs. The only type that can be easily done by the home owner is the asphalt shingles.

When leaks start moisture can seep through a small crack in roofing material that may not be visible and the water may collect in an adjacent area. Only a close inspection of the roof will be able to detect such damage. A certified roofing contractor will know what to look for. Your roof should be inspected regularly especially as it gets older as the constant weathering by sun, heat, rain, snow, hail, wind, and cold will cause your roofing material to break down.

If you are going to call someone to look at and fix your roof (which is what I recommend), a certified roofing contractor should be the one you call. He will be able to avoid further damage to your roof, and/or personal injury to you the homeowner caused by trying to do it yourself.

Be aware that while there are a lot of roofing contractors out there, not all certified. A certified, experienced contractor offers various services.

From completely tearing off an old roof and replacing it with a new one, to inspecting and “certifying” an existing roof. If the latter is chosen it is a process in which the roof is inspected and “guaranteed” to function properly for a certain period of time; usually 2 years. The contractor takes responsibility for any necessary roofing repair during that period.

A certified contractor is knowledgeable of roof system types, materials, and installation procedures best suited to each project, and will ensure there is adequate venting. When a roof is done right it and the soffit system should be properly vented to prevent over-heating and moisture retention, two factors that can cause a roof to break down prematurely.

Selecting a Qualified Roofing Contractor

Make sure you ask the potential roofing contractors questions such as whether or not they are licensed and bonded. They should carry liability insurance coverage; ask whether it is up to date. Ask which roofing products they are licensed and approved to work with, for product and warranty purposes. Also ask if they are a member of the Better Business Bureau or any regional or national trade organizations.

There are also several resources available to find a certified roofing contractor. The best is sometimes a referral from a friend or neighbor, who has had their roof done, but local building centers can help, and web sites like www.handycanadian.com offer a list of contractors and can help you find a listing of certified roofing contractors in your area.

home exterior | 1 Comment »

Home renovations often get the bad rap of not going as planned – going way over budget or not staying on schedule, or even the home owner paying for things that weren’t done or needed. Unforeseen complications do pop up unexpectedly but if you are prepared they don’t have to ruin the whole experience. With careful planning and decisions being made earlier in the renovation process most of these situations could be eliminated or be easier to deal with.

Below are a few things that are vital to think about before you begin your renovation.

Prepare a budget
Be aware of your local government regulations
Get some plans drawn up
Find the right tradesperson
Know your start and completion dates
Selecting Products is important
Purchasing products

The first thing to do is Prepare a budget:
Unless you have limitless funds it doesn’t matter whether you are getting a loan or paying cash, you need to work out how much you’re willing to spend on your renovation. You can’t start shopping for your new bathroom or kitchen before you know your spending limits. If you are hiring a contractor to do some or all of the work he too will want to have an idea of what your budget is.

You need to be aware of your local government regulations:
Most renovations, even small ones today must be approved by your local government (City Hall) before work can commence. Find out as much information as you can from them before you start talking to the tradesperson. You may even run into special situation were your home is heritage listed and if this is true you will need to meet very strict regulations. Let me also say though that it is often easier for the contractor if you are hiring one to actually get the permit just because he know all the things that need to be included the first time.

Get some plans drawn up:
It is important that you have plans drawn up even for a bathroom or kitchen renovation. You will need these plans so you can discuss them with your potential trades’ people. You should also let them know what sort of products you would like if you have some specific ideas, so he will know what work needs to be done.

Finding the right tradesperson:
It is important to find a tradesperson that you can both communicate with and have confidence will do the quality work you are looking for. This is not easy. Speak with friends and family who have had some renovation work done recently and find out who they used. Find out who will be able to do the work in your time frame. Quality trades people are often booked for weeks if not months in advance and so you will probably need to book them well ahead of time. Make sure you understand them and everything they are trying to tell you. You don’t want any surprises.

Know your start and completion dates:
After discussions with your tradesperson, come to an agreement on a realistic start and completion dates for your project. Be upfront with your tradesperson if you have a specific date that the job must be completed by, for example you have relatives coming to stay. This is both common courtesy and keeping good communications open. Keep in mind that unexpected problems can hold up your project, no matter how well it has been planned.

Selecting Products is important:
When you know the style you desire, (modern, heritage or easy living) this will narrow down your product choices. You may have to take a few shopping trips in order for you to decide on the products that give you the look you desire and are also practical for your needs. Write down any product specifications you decide on so they can be given to the tradesperson. Be sure that what you choose fits all size restrictions you may have.
Talk to your tradesperson about your choices. Don’t be discouraged if the tradesperson tells you that a product you have chosen is unsuitable, find out why. It may be because of quality of size but it could also be because it requires extra work which they don’t want to do. This is your home and you need to be satisfied with the completed job. When selecting products, find out how long it will take to get delivery on them. Some goods will be in stock, while others can be custom made and can take up to 1 month to order in. These custom made products are usually non-refundable so make sure your product choices are good by checking with your tradesperson before ordering.

Purchasing products:
It really doesn’t mater who buys the products but where style is concerned, make sure you purchase or at least choose these products for your renovation. This will ensure that you make all of the decisions and achieve the result you want. Another thing to keep in mind is that the contractor often can purchase products at a discount because of purchasing power. Also there could be things you will not think about when placing an order that the tradesperson will not forget. It is important though to make all decisions related to style yourself as they will affect the overall look of your project.

Renovations can be easy and many of these points may seem somewhat obvious, but problems can arise if you start taking things for granted. Make sure that you cover all your bases because when you don’t, you may find that you have invested a lot of time, money and effort in a renovation that you are not happy with.

home exterior, interior | 4 Comments »