A total roof replacement project has many intricacies, but it doesn't always have to be a headache. Once broken down into simple steps, everything is much more manageable.
First you need to choose a roofer. Then you get options for roofing materials like asphalt, metal, cedar and more. Your contractor will help you navigate these options and figure out what's right for you and your roof.
Next, discuss payment options. Will you make monthly payments with a finance company, pay in full, or go through an insurance company? After that, all you have to do is replace your roof and enjoy!
Here at Sol Vista Roofing we want to make sure you understand what to expect when replacing your roof. We have found that many of our previous clients have felt reassured and less anxious during an otherwise stressful process if they were fully briefed prior to the start of their project.
How do you know if your roof needs repair or replacement?
Of course, you should always have your roof checked to determine if it needs to be repaired or replaced. There are indications that you need to hire a professional to inspect and evaluate your roof and we encourage customers to become familiar with this. Those who do can make the most informed decision about their own roofs.
- Significant granule loss
- Buckling or curling shingles
- Cracked or wind torn shingles
- hailstorms on shingles
- ice dams
- Uneven roof surface (indication of possible wood rot under the shingles)
- Rusted metal flashing
- Worn rubber boots on pipe connections
- Exposed nails
Most top Denver roofers will inspect your roof for free, even if you don't think you have roof problems or damage.
Choosing the right roofing material
After you've found your roofing contractor, it's time to discuss what material you should use for your roof. If you want to consider using a more abstract material, such as For example, if you have a roof tile, cedar or metal roof (which is becoming increasingly popular), you must first discuss this with your contractor and be sure of these three important questions:
- Does this company offer these options?
- Does your insurance cover them?
- Is it the best option for your roof?
It might be easier to go with classic asphalt clapboards.
Asphalt shingles for your home
Asphaltkiesis the most popular choice across North America, and with good reason.
- They are very light and put less stress on your roof.
- They are a very affordable option and come in many different shades and colors.
- They're also included with every roof insurance policy, and almost every roofer has experience with them and offers them as an option.
Types of asphalt shingles
There are two main types of asphalt shingles - Three-Tab and Architectural.
The three-lobe shingle is one of the most popular types of shingles. It consists of three tabs protected by asphalt paper. It lays completely flat on the roof and has a simple design. If you go the architectural route, you end up with a shingle that is relatively similar in size to a three-lug shingle, but with some key differences.
Construction shingles are slightly more durable than asphalt shingles and have a raised design that adds depth to the finished roof and is more visually appealing.
What to expect when replacing the roof?
When it comes time to replace your roof, you're probably wondering how to prepare for the construction project. Even though rooftop projects only take a few days, there are many steps that take place along the way to ensure the project runs smoothly.
At Sol Vista Roofing we follow a checklist for each project to ensure nothing is overlooked during the project. Regardless of which roofing company you choose, you may want to ask what to expect along the waythe process of renewing your roof.
Here are the key steps that take place as part of our process:
Inspect your roof and provide a replacement estimate: Your detailed estimate explains the materials used and includes photos of your roof (we use aCloud app for photo sharingso you can easily see everything we see on your roof).
Order Permission:We will then order the permit from your district or city. Each community has a different process, and our office team has worked with each of them to simplify this step.
Order material:After you get your approval, we will place the order for your roofing material. Delivery times vary throughout the year. So as soon as we have a delivery date for materials, we will let you know. We can usually have materials loaded directly onto your roof, which speeds up installation, but sometimes the materials need to be delivered to your yard or driveway.
The installation plan:After we have a material delivery date, we start planning our installation team. We like to leave a few days between material delivery and installation to allow for possible weather issues, material surplus or shortage, etc. If you have a bowl on your roof, this is a good time to contact your carrier and let them know you're getting a new roof. They will let you know what you want us to do with your dish, which we can almost always accommodate. Otherwise we will do our best to put the bowl back in the same place when we complete your roofing project.
Installationstag:We usually arrive between 7:00am and 9:00am on the day of installation, but there may be exceptions to these schedules depending on the complexity of the project and weather factors. Please keep the following in mind as it makes the day that much easier when everyone knows what to expect. A waste bin will be delivered to your driveway either the evening before or the day of installation. Please make sure your vehicles are not in the driveway or garage otherwise you will not be able to exit.
- property access:We typically require access to side yards and backyards to collect all debris, so we ask that gates be accessible for our installation team.
- Things get noisy and messy during installation:Please ensure your children and pets stay indoors and if you are home during the day, be prepared for a noisy experience. Being able to be away from home during the day can be an advantage. We also recommend temporarily removing hanging artwork from upstairs walls.
- Clean up:The installation process is messy. We take the cleaning process very seriously and will be doing multiple runs with high power magnets and blowers, but know it's over30,000 nails removed and replaced during a typical installation. Despite our best cleaning efforts, it is common to find some nails for weeks to come.
- Granules:A few weeks after installing your new roof, you may notice granules in your gutters and downspouts after rain and snow. This is normal as the excess granules will begin to wash off the roofing material.
Invoice:After completion of the project and final inspection, we will invoice you for the roofing (minus the deposit paid at the beginning of the project). We have multiple financing options and accept credit card payments in addition to check payment options.
Exclude: As soon as we have received your final payment, we will send you a fully paid invoice and your warranty documents.
Even though we have a well-organized process for roof replacements, sometimes we have to ask for flexibility. Weather patterns change rapidly and can affect our installation plans in a number of ways. City/county permitting schedules and inspector schedules can also affect project schedules. We will always contact you as soon as we are aware of any changes or updates to your project's schedule or scope of work!
How long does it take to replace a roof?
Replacing your roof is a significant home improvement project. But rooftop projects can often be completed in just a day or two. The total time it takes to do thisReplace your roofdepends on six key factors:
How big is your roof?
Of course, the larger the roof, the longer it will take to replace. The average roof size in Denver is 2,500-3,000 square feet (25-30 roof squares).
How many roof layers are on your existing roof?
It has been common for years and decades pastAdd a new layer of clapboards over existing clapboards. However, adding layers no longer meets building code requirements. Having multiple roof layers can mean that the project becomes significantly more time consuming to properly remove and dispose of the roof layers.
How steep is your roof?
Steep pitched roofs are more difficult for our assembly teams to work on and require more time. When the roof is steep enough, our team carries harnesses that take extra time to set up and work around.
What material is removed and installed?
The most commonly used material is asphalt shingles, which are relatively quick to install. Other specialty materials such as concrete tiles, stone coated steel or synthetic materials may take longer to install as each individual roof panel must be installed separately.
What condition is your roofing in?
If your roof has spacer planking or if the plywood is water damaged, your roofer will need additional time to repair the sheathing to create a solid roof surface.
Does your property have easy roof access?
Your roofer can often set up a dump trailer right next to your home, allowing for quicker access to tear down and dispose of the roof. If the dump truck or dump truck needs to be sited farther from your property, it will take significantly longer to haul roof debris by hand.
Properly trained roof installation teams have the skills and knowledge to keep your property dry if your roof replacement takes longer than a day. The underlay used under the roof deck keeps water out of your house until thethe final canopy is installed.
Choosing the right roofing company
When choosing a roof replacer, you should make sure you hire a company that has an excellent reputation and does a good, honest job. This can sometimes be difficult. However, there are a few important things to look out for:
- It's always a good idea to look for a contractor with a lot of positive reviews so you can be sure they're trustworthy and experienced with the type of roofing you need to do.
- Before hiring a contractor, it's always best to look at their portfolio. A good website is a sign of competence. If you are looking for someone to do home renovations, check if they have an online presence.
- You can also ask the roofer you are considering for references and see what their previous clients have to say about their experiences throughout the process.
- If nothing else, at least make an appointment for a roof inspection by them. Many companies offer free roof inspections. You'll have the opportunity not only to get a second opinion from a professional, but also to meet the inspector and have any questions you may need answered.
All of the above should give you an excellent idea of whether you are dealing with a competent and reputable contractor.
Why do roofers need a permit before replacing a roof?
As a property owner, you want to build trust with your builder so you can be confident that they will take care of your property during construction. An important part of the process of finding a trusted Denver roofing contractor is obtaining a permit from the city or county where you live before beginning construction. Permitted projects protect you as a homeowner.
Why do I (and my contractor) need a permit for my project?
Pull a permit for youroof replacementproject ensures that the city or county where you live inspects the work being done and confirms that it complies with the city's building codes. In essence, the permitting and inspection process helps verify the quality of the work performed by the contractor. City and county inspectors know the local building codes better than anyone and are in the best position to judge whether the work has been done correctly.
Permits also create a documented record of work performed on your property by type of trade and date of work. This can be useful when it comes time to sell your property or to show that a project has taken place at some point (e.g. for your homeowners insurance).
How permits are drawn
Thatroofing companythat you select for your project is responsible for obtaining approval from the city or county before beginning work. Once approval has been obtained, construction can begin. A paper version of the permit should be displayed on the front of the property to show that the project is approved, although most cities now approve permits digitally.
Some cities require an inspection mid-construction. Others do not require inspection until construction is complete. The roofing company will contact the city or county when it's time to have the work inspected.
There is a fee to apply for a permit, which is usually around $200. Some frontline cities have permit fees that can be as high as $500 for a standard roof, while others are as low as $100.
When a city inspection fails, it simply means that some part of the local building code was not met on the project. The contractor then has the option to fix the problem and then have another inspection carried out until the completed work is approved.
What if my contractor doesn't get approval?
Only licensed roofers in Denver (or most metropolitan cities) can obtain permits from the local municipality. If your contractor doesn't obtain permission, be aware of the possibility that they're unlicensed. Approved contractors must show they have adequate insurance, which along with permit and inspection are crucial protections for homeowners undertaking home improvement projects.
Certain repairs do not require a permit to be pulled. Minor leak repair, replacement of only part of the roof, and gutter repairs are not considered major renovations and do not require a permit. roofCoat restorationsno permit is required either, as the existing roof construction remains and is only sealed with a watertight membrane. For projects that do not require a permit to deduct, you should still request a copy of the contractor's insurance certificate to confirm they are insured.
The central theses
The most important point to remember is that the licensing, permitting and inspection process protects you as the owner. When your city or county checks your contractor's insurance and inspects their work, you can have peace of mind knowing your roof was built properly and complies with your local building code. This process also protects the roofer as any reputable contractor strives to build quality roofs that comply with local building codes.
Wondering if your property has permits? Many cities provide simple search tools to locate current and previous permits showing the type of work performed.
Checklist for roof replacement offers
If youFind a reputable, professional rooferTo get a quote, look for these key components in your estimate and presentation:
- Full scope of work– including all materials and labor included in the offer. A reasonable quote for a roof resurfacing project should include descriptions of the roofing material, underlay, roof sheeting, vents, and other components.
- Extras– There may be components that are not required but that you want to consider for the project, e.gGutter and downpipe replacementto match your new roof.
- Estimated start and end dates of the project– When can your contractor complete the work he proposes?
- The guarantee– Your new roof will probably come with a manufacturerGuaranteefor the materials used on your roof. Your contractor should also provide details of their installation warranty to ensure your roof is properly installed and guaranteed.
- license and insurance– Is your contractor licensed and insured? Roofers in the Denver area must carry licenses in each city or county they work in before they can get a permit. Insurance is crucial to ensure your property is protected in the event of a problem or accident.
If you get a quote from a roofer who is missing one of these components, ask them about it. If they don't have a good answer, you should keep looking for another contractor to provide all of these components.
How do you cover the cost of a brand new roof?
If you confirmed in step one that your selected contractor works with your insurance company and has already submitted an insurance claim, you should be good to go.
However, if you were unable to obtain an insurance claim or you were not fully insured for thecost of the roof, no worries. There are a few options available to you to help with the payment process for a brand new roof for your home.
If you are financially able to do so, the first and best option would be to pay it off in full. This is the best way for several reasons, namely because you avoid having to apply for a loan from your bank or make monthly payments to the roofer.
Here are some other options available to you to help those who need a little financial assistance:
Financing by banks
You can apply for a personal loan from your bank for the amount that your insurance will not cover. Let the bank know that this is a long-term investment for your home and that a brand new roof will only add to the current value of your home. Your bank can give you the loan and you will repay it through them over a set period of time.
Financing by roofers
If you can't go through your bank, another good option is to contact your roofing company yourself. Most roofing contractors work with financial firms to reduce the cost of a new roof. With these installments, you pay a fixed amount every month for a certain period of time.
Check out the different options that will be made available to you as some may offer a set period of no interest. If you have the availability of a credit card, this can also be a viable way to pay for your new roof. If you're paying for your roofing project with a loan, be sure to know the interest rate and your total cost once you've paid off the card.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations, you've gone through the entire process and reached the final step. If you need a new roof and are looking for a reliable roofing contractor in the Denver area, look no further than Sol Vista Roofing. We have experienced roofers who can assess the condition of your roof, find a solution, and install a roofing system that will last for decades. Phone call(720) 712-3516or send us a messageArrange a free estimate on sitewith our local roof replacement experts.