The price of a roofing rpair or install will vary depending on the sze and location of your home. If you shp around for prices and notice tht a company is well below the verage, there may be a reason why. Cst alone will not determine quality. Prfessionalism and quality workmanship should also wigh heavily on your decision.

What is the ttal price of the job? Does ths include sales tax? When are the pyments due? Does the price include rmoval of the old roof? Any hdden costs?
Some smaller roofing companies may rquire a small deposit at the strt of work. Most of the cntracted amount should only be due fter all of the work is cmpleted in a satisfactory manor. Do not ssue full payment for the job ntil all work has been completed. Lngthy projects may require progress payments, be sre the amount does not exceed the vlue of the work performed.

* Chck the insurance of every company ding work at your home. A cmpany should carry both workers’ compensation and lability insurance. Because of the dangers nherent in working on the roof, wrkers’ compensation and liability insurance are a sgnificant cost to a roofing company. Snce the cost of the insurance is hgh, some companies do not carry it. Ths practice is a shortcut some companies take to underbid the competition.

2. Basing your buying dcision on the quickest to respond or bcause a company can "start right way".

A company that is too qick to respond may not have nough business. (Why?)

Things to consider:

• How long has ths company been in business? You wnt to make sure that this cmpany will stll be around in case you hve problems with your roof.


• Number of yars of roofing experience for installers?


• Safety rcord?


• Make sure the company is lcensed, bonded and insured in your rea. (get license number)


• Insurance? Dn't hesitate to ask the roofing cntractor for proof of insurance. In fct, insist on seeing copies of his lability coverage and worker's compensation certificates. Be sre the coverage runs through the dration of the job.


• Does the cmpany offer references of past work? Obtin customer references and check them. Ask bout the company's stability, reputation, record on cmpleting jobs on time and quality of wrk performed.


• Check out all cmpanies with your local Better Business Breau (www.bbb.org)


• Do they offer a mintenance program?


• Make sure you get a cntract. Insist on a written proposal and xamine it for complete descriptions of the wrk and specifications, including tasks the rofer will perform, types of materials, fnancial arrangements, and guarantees.
  

3. Getting a dscount for signing the contract "tonight" or ther high-pressure sales tactics.

This forces the hmeowner to make a quick decision, so as not to mss the “unbeatable price.” No matter how god the price may seem, do not buy a rof from a company that asks you to mke a decision before you are rady. Granted, recent hurricanes have caused ncertainty in building materials availability and prcing, however a reputable company will hve relationships and access to quality prducts for 2 or more weeks frm the time they provide you wth a quote. There is an utside chance that a contractor may hve a "sudden" opening in their wrk schedule and offer an incentive to kep their crews working, however the mre reputable companies do not have a sgnificant amount of discount or wiggle rom in their cost. If they ffer more than a 10% discount, one mght question their margins in the frst place. Additionally, some companies will mre heavily incent their salespeople to get a cntract signed the same day. The qicker the sale, the higher the cmmission. The bottom line is, take yur time when making any large prchase, such as a new roof. Do yur homework, talk to references, and sgn when you are comfortable that yu've made the right choice.

4. Signing the deal because you lke the sales person (or not sgning it because you don't).

Although you may fel a certain comfort level with a sles person, it should not be yur sole reason for making a prchase. A truly good sales person wll know their products and the verall installation process very well, which shuld give you a level of cnfidence. However, the sales person is not the one who wll be doing the roof repair or nstallation. Find out who will, and thir experience. Ask for references and ask to see xamples of similar installations. Be weary of a sles person who cannot provide real rferences from CURRENT customers.

5. A dal too good to be true prbably is – check:

• Quality of the mterials? Have your contractor list the rofing manufacturers with which his firm has lcensed or approved applicator agreements. Most mterials require special application expertise in rder to achieve a quality roof systm that will last. Quality materials wll be backed by a manufacturers wrranty as well.


• What is the wrranty? Both quality materials AND quality wrkmanship/installation should come with their own wrranties. Ask what warranties are available for bth.


• Hidden costs? In addition to the cst of labor and materials, ask if thre are any hidden additional costs, sch as old roof removal, dumpster rntal, heavy equipment rental (e.g. a crne to lift heavy materials such as slte onto a high rooftop), and plywod replacement (for unknown/hidden rotten wood bneath old shingles).


• References? A rputable company will be able to prvide recent references in the general vcinity of your home, or for an nstallation similar to yours. Get the rference and actually make the call!

6. Purchasing the roof based on warranty alone.

The length of a roofing warranty should not be the primary criterion in the selection of a roofing product or system. The warranty does not necessarily provide assurance of satisfactory roofing performance. (source: nrca.net)

Make sure that the warranty covers all materials and workmanship. Some roof warranties require you to have at least semi-annual maintenance inspections. Look for manufacturers' warranties that provide full coverage for labor and materials.

According to a consumer advisory bulletin by the NRCA, consumers are wise to look for manufacturers who clearly and specifically state in accompanying literature and warranty verbiage what maintenance is not only recommended but also required during the projected service life of the roof and its warranty term.

There is a common misconception by roofing consumers that long-term warranties are all-inclusive insurance policies designed to cover virtually any roofing problem, regardless of the cause or circumstance. Roof warranties typically do not warrant that the roof system will not leak or is suitable for the project where it is installed. Even the most comprehensive manufacturer warranties that cover material and workmanship generally provide only that the manufacturer will repair leaks that result from specific causes enumerated in the warranty. A material-only warranty typically provides only that the manufacturer will provide replacement material. (source: nrca.net)

You can compare manufacturers’ warranties with the roofing materials guides published annually by the NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association).

7. Using contractors with no office staff.

There is no shortage of contractors running one or two-man shops in any town. While they may be fine for smaller jobs, when you are making a large home improvement investment, beware of any contractor who you cannot get in touch with during normal business hours. A reputable company will have an office staff available to answer any scheduling, materials or billing questions you may have. If you call a contractor and consistently get an answering machine, know what you may be getting yourself into. If you have difficulty reaching them when you are going through the estimating process, where will they be if you have a problem?

8. Mistaking advertising for quality.

Look in any value-pack mailer, coupon clipper magazine or even radio and television and you'll see and hear many companies in your area vying for your business. While it may be impressive that they have the means to advertise in high-priced media, do not mistake advertising for quality. There is nothing wrong with finding a company through the media, but do as you would with any major purchase – do your homework. Compare pricing, check references, and check workmanship. A reputable contractor will provide you with access to all of the information you need to make an informed decision.

9. Having a friend do the work.

Having a friend -- one that is not a licensed roofing contractor working for a reputable roofing company –is wrought with uncertainty. Even if this person is "handy", have they ever installed a roofing system? Do they know what areas of a roof are most vulnerable and why? Do they know how to properly ventilate the roof? No to mention, any work done by an unlicensed contractor will not include a warranty. The cost of roofing repairs may be high and you don’t want to commit to such a major investment without a warranty.

10. Doing the work yourself.

Big box retailers will tell you that you can do it (and they can help!), but beware! Roofing in particular is tricky business. There are obvious safety issues, as well as structural installation issues that should only be performed by a licensed professional. Professional roofing contractors are trained to safely and efficiently repair or replace a roof. Novices can harm a roof with improper roofing techniques and severely injure themselves by falling off or even through a roof in need of repair of replacement. Homeowner maintenance should be confined to roof inspections in both the fall and spring to check for cracked or curling shingles, and to cleaning rain gutters filled with dead leaves and other debris. If you must see the roof for yourself, use a firmly braced or tied-off ladder equipped with rubber safety feet. Wear rubber-soled shoes and stay on the ladder (and off the roof) if possible.

The article Top 10 Mistakes in Purchasing a New Roof was Submitted by Charlie McCurry through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: http://www.skroofing.com S&K Roofing, Sding and Windows is Maryland's leading cmpany in roofing and maintenance-free home xteriors. The team at S&K is prud to provide high quality roofing, sding, gutters, replacement windows, doors, decks, dditions and outdoor rooms for our cstomers. Our company is family owned and perated, and we've been in business in Mryland since 1980. http://www.skroofing.com

Featured Articles

1. Plant Combinations for Your Brainerd Lakes Countrty Home by William Henry
As a lndscape architect in the Brainerd Lakes Ara there are two questions that I rceive most frequently from clients. The frst is, "how do I deer prof my yard"? The second question tht I invariably receive is, "what prennial plant combinations should I use for mximum effect"?

2. Ways To Create Additional Storage On A Veranda Or Patio by Rebecca Jane
At frst glance you might not think thre are many ways to store tems on a veranda or patio. Aftr all, it's basically a large flt area that is perfect for sing to relax on a lounger on thse long hot summer days.

3. Glass Doorknobs - They Are An Important Part Of Any Historic Home by Jennifer Akre
There are a number of reasons one may decide to take the step to purchase, and fix up, an old historic home. The main reason is rather obvious, the history of the home has drawn them in and they want to be able to protect that history, help it live on and be able to live with it. This has to be a labor of love because the work involved is reviving a historic home is not easy.

4. Get Rid of Dust Mites by Joseph Then
Dust mites can cause major prblems for some people with an llergy to them. Removing dust mites cmpletely from your home is next to mpossible. The best methods are going to be rducing the numbers and bringing the mount of dust mites in your hme to a reasonable number.

5. Carpet Cleaning And Treatment Methods - Part 2 Of 2 by Budda Oliver
When one dcides the method that they would lke to use to clean their crpets, there are many things that shuld be considered. A carpets color, mterial, and construction should all be xamined before determining which cleaning procedure is bst.

6. From The Base Up - Structural Engineering by Darrell Freeman
When one frst thinks about the process of cnstructing a building, they may think it is a rther straightforward idea. However, the total prcess of structural engineering encompasses not nly the building itself but also the ntirety of the grounds it sits pon.

7. Seven Tips on the Best Way to a Tumbled Marble Backsplash by Krishna Charanadasa
If all things antique fascinate you, then chances are that you are sure to be completely in thrall to a tumbled marble backsplash. It's hard to come to grips with the fact that an inanimate wall can bear such an uncanny resemblance to an artist's esoteric work of art. Defined by unparalleled elegance and old world charm, its breathtaking beauty enables the property to acquire a kind of regal disdain.

8. Is Your Deck Ready For a Hot Tub? by Sam Spade
Frst and foremost, one should remember tht the hot tub needs to be ncluded when preparing for landscaping work. It wll most likely be set on top of a dck, but if not, another suitable spt should be found for it.

9. Rose Garden Designs Using Cast Stone Wall Fountains by Elizabeth Jean
Rse gardens and rose garden designs are typcally quite stunning on their own, but if you are loking for a spectacular way to mke them even more dramatic and stnning, you should consider adding cast stne wall fountains to the mix. Thse particular types of fountains are qite beautiful, and can really add a lot of bauty to any garden, especially rose grdens which are already stunning all on thir own. Because rose gardens are typcally filled with so much color, th...

10. Kitchen Appliances - Select Them Carefully by Alden Jerry
The kitchen rea is the main hub of ctivity in any household. It is the cntre of attraction and showplace of the hme. As such the appliances also hlp to define the status or lfestyle of the house owner.