For most homeowners, any kind of roofing project can be an exciting endeavor. After all, it’s a home improvement project that enables your home to become even more beautiful and energy efficient and provides more long term benefits for residential and commercial applications. However, undertaking a roofing project can be stressful, especially if it’s the first time going around it. The last thing you want to do is make bad decisions during the construction process because you weren’t well-prepared or had second thoughts. What’s more, it’s possible to mistakenly hire a second-rate roofing contractor. If they take the lead on the project, they’ll not only delay its progress, but you won’t be able to maximize your investment, and you won’t be fully satisfied with the result of the project.
Thankfully, top roofing contractors at Ryan Construction Systems, Inc have created a comprehensive guide to help you navigate through the process and help you make the right decisions and choose the best solutions for your home. Doing so will help you establish a sound roofing plan to help reduce the stress and doubt that you might feel when undertaking a roofing project. Here are some tips to consider:
Prepare a project notebook. A project notebook is really handy, no matter what kind of home improvement project you’re undertaking. This notebook can be used to record and document every important detail that’s relevant to the project, which is especially important when you’re doing a full roof replacement or a roof repair project. Note all important details of the project during the first consultation and any project status updates. Don’t forget to keep sketches and pictures of your roofing ideas, and you can even request a copy of the roofing plans through the cloud. Keep all receipts and other essential financial paperwork in a safe place for easy reference and so you don’t lose track of them. This will eliminate the hassle of having to search all over for project documentation, since you’ll already have it all stored in one convenient spot.
Have a contingency fund. It’s not unheard of for roof replacement and repair projects to experience unforeseen complications that force the homeowner to adjust their plan or spend more. Of course, these changes weren’t included in your preliminary roofing estimate, which means you’ll have to adjust your budget to accommodate any emergencies. No matter how skilled a roofing contractor is, they can’t fully know the condition of your roof until they tear away the roofing membrane and closely inspect the building cavities. For example, water damage can change your estimate due to the growth of mold and rot. This is because the condition of the plywood decking can’t be checked until all of the roofing shingles have been torn off.
Another example of a situation that could incur unexpected costs is an old commercial building that contains hazardous materials like lead paint or asbestos. You’ll need a considerable amount of money to redo this and make the building habitable and safe for tenants. A good rule of thumb to follow is to create an emergency fund by setting aside 10 to 20 percent of the total project estimate and dedicating it to contingencies or emergencies.
Understand your insurance policy. This is especially important for people who plan to replace their roofing system after a severe weather event, such as a hail storm or heavy rain. Try to determine if you have a replacement cost value (RCV) or an actual cash value (ACV) insurance policy. Ideally, you should have an RVC since it has higher coverage that can answer for the full cost of repairing or replacing your roofing system. Remember that the goal of any kind of coverage is to cover the cost to repair or replace the damaged items.
Ask about financing options. Not every roofing company delivers the same quality of service. In addition to supplying you with the best roofing materials, customer service and workmanship, top roofing companies should also offer flexible financing options for the convenience of their clients. This is especially helpful for homeowners who wish to improve their home’s energy efficiency and appearance, but lack the resources to do so. This allows you to bring out the best in your home without burning a hole through your wallet.
Financing options are an important factor in choosing the perfect roofing contractor to work with. There are some program benefits that you should know about, like a lower interest rate, which will help you save more money in the long run. It’s also possible to get lower equated monthly installments, or EMI, which is great if you want to stick to a strict budget for your roof replacement to avoid big splurges on the project. Most importantly, a loan program that doesn’t require an appraisal or equity is something that no homeowner should turn down. This means that you can get your roof replacement project done without going through the hassle of booking a formal appraisal for your residential property.
Protect your valuables. It’s vital to protect your indoor and outdoor belongings and furniture during a roof replacement project. Look at your deck or patio space and move the seats and plants to a safe location where they won’t get hit by roofing refuse materials. If you have a big pool at your disposal, lay down a tarp temporarily to protect it. For your interior, move your furniture and home decor to the garage for the meantime. This will help prevent damage to your belongings for the duration of the project. We also strongly suggest clearing the pathways in and out of your house so that your roofing contractors can navigate through your house with ease without knocking anything over.
Ryan Construction Systems, Inc. offers reliable professional services to various clients in the local community. We have over 35 years of experience in roofing and construction, so you can expect top-notch workmanship from our team. Call us at (816) 741-1941 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.