How to avoid receiving a botch roofing jobRecently a local homeowner was left with a "rainforest" in his living room, all from having his roof replaced. The homeowner needed a kiddie pool to catch the falling ceiling and rain water. According to News 2, the company that had replaced the homeowner's roof had false email and physical addresses and would not return phone calls.
Local roofer, Chris Harper says having that license means the contractor passed a background, a credit check, and has solid references. He also said having a physical address and website helps legitimize companies on some level. Harper says before hiring a contractor, ask these questions:
Another local contractor recommends that homeowners secure three separate quotes and compare their quotes. Homeowners need to educate themselves on the scope of their roofing work. According the angieslist.com, these are Six Tips For Choosing A Roofing Contractor:
Finding the best roofing contractor can be challenging and time-consuming. However, you will save time, money, and headaches by taking the time to follow these steps. You can then feel confident in your decision. For more information about this topic, check out this recent interview> with Chris Harper from Harper Roofing and hear his tips on how to find a reliable contractor. Harper Roofing www.harperroofingcharleston.com/ is a local company, owned by Charleston native, Chris Harper. They offer a free roof inspection and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and a 5 star rating on Houzz. They have been called the "best roofing company in Charleston." Check out their testimonials> from past customers online. If you found this information helpful click "Like" or "Share" below and post this to your social media pages. Your "Likes" and "Shares" help others like you find the information they need. We are happy for you to re-publish this article on your website or in your company newsletter with credit to, Harper Roofing Charleston, as the author and a link to our website http://www.harperroofingcharleston.com/. The URL for this article is http://www.harperroofingcharleston.com/blog/choosing-the-right-roofing-contractor. Email us with any questions. What should you do if you find a leak in your roof? A leaky roof is serious business because, if left unattended, it can cause major damage to your home. In addition, the sooner a leak is attended to, the less chance of more expensive repairs down the road. According to fixr.com, minor leaks can lead to damage such as mold, rotted framing and sheathing, damaged insulation and ceilings. Some of the most common causes of a leaky roof are broken shingles, cracked vent booting or flashing, gutters that are clogged, condensation in the attic or a cracked chimney. Some leaks can be difficult to find. Hiring a professional to do a thorough roof inspection is important, especially after a severe weather event.
A roofing contractor usually charges around $3 per square foot for leak repair or $45 to $75 per hour. The labor hours range between 8 - 16, making the repair cost range from $360 to $1200. If your roof is steeper than average, repair costs can increase by 20% or more. This is also true if your roof has many architectural details to work around. You also may need to buy a permit from your county or homeowners association, without which you could be heavily fined. Permit fees average around $75. REPAIR VS. REPLACEMENT? Replacing shingles can be a relatively easy and inexpensive job. However, even if you saved some spare shingles from a previous roof replacement, this patch job will probably not match the rest of the roof. This may be a relatively small consideration if your roof is not very old and will extend its life for ten or fifteen years unless you plan to sell your home. A prominent patch can be a negative selling point. If the damage is confined to one side of the roof, a partial re-roofing can cost thousands of dollars less than an entire replacement. This can make the color differences less noticeable. Partial re-roofing can be more expensive on a cost per square than a total replacement and all layers will need to be removed. This can add to the cost and result in a lopsided effect due to the old roof being a couple of inches higher than the new side. According to Angieslist.com, the determining factors on whether to fix or replace your roof are the following:
According to bobvila.com, if you do decide to replace your roof, choosing to tear off the old roof or install the new roof over the existing one is another decision you will have to make. Installing the new roof over the existing one will save you a little money now but runs the risk of greater expenses in the future. The International Residential Code (R907.3) states that a new roof cannot be installed over two or more applications of any type of roof covering. Much of this has to do with the weight on the structure of your home. Covering a roof with 1,500 square feet of shingles is almost equal to the weight of a two-ton SUV. Removing the old shingles will allow you to inspect the roof deck and sheathing for damage, plus the shingles adhere better if fastened directly to the roof deck. This will also allow you to check for wood rot and the presence of inadequate sheathing fasteners. Additionally, starting with an undamaged roof deck allows you the option of adding an ice-and-water shield membrane along the eaves. Having your roof inspected every one to two years is a good way to protect your roof from potential problems. Having your roof inspected after any severe weather event will also catch any damage before it becomes even more extensive. Harper Roofing offers a free, no obligation roof inspection in the Charleston area. We will show up on time and give an honest assessment on the condition of your roof. If you found this information helpful click "Like" or "Share" below and post this to your social media pages. Your "Likes" and "Shares" help others like you find the information they need. We are happy for you to re-publish this article on your website or in your company newsletter with credit to, Harper Roofing Charleston as the author and a link to our website http://www.harperroofingcharleston.com/. The URL for this article is http://www.harperroofingcharleston.com/blog/what-to-do-if-you-have-a-leaky-roof. Email us with any questions. Roofing companies in the Charleston area fall into several categories. One category of roofing company is a construction or remodeling company that also does roofing. This type of company is great for those big disasters or remodeling jobs. There are also vinyl siding or window firms that also offer roof repair and replacements. Lots of roofing companies are part of larger firms that have satellite offices, but there are some that are locally-owned and/or family operated. Deciding between the two is strictly up to you, neither is a bad choice. Checking out the companies online customer reviews is a great first step in deciding if that company is right for you.
Here are a few common questions you should ask yourself when searching for a roofing company:
In trying to answer the above questions, we Googled roofing companies in the Charleston area. These are some of the companies listed along with some basic information found about each.
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