Do you know what information you are expected to know and provide to a roofing contractor in order to achieve a successful conclusion with a roofing job? Read this article to learn some things a homeowner should know when entering into a contract to repair or replace a roof!

Keyword: roofing Houston

A homeowner should not feel confused and helpless when hiring a contractor to handle roofing repair or replacement. They need to ensure that the contractor knows exactly what is expected of them which can only be accomplished when the building owner makes the effort to obtain some basic knowledge about what such a roofing project entails so they can properly explain what they want and need to the contractor.

Understanding Roofing

There are some important things that a homeowner does not want to forget when discussing their roofing needs with a contractor. Following are some of those things that a building owner needs to know to understand the entire picture of the job and its costs.

• Material Cost - Often times material expenses are buried within the entire repair estimate. If not clearly evident on a bid or repair estimate, the contractor should be asked for a detailed list of all materials to be used and their cost in order to avoid unwelcome financial surprises when the job is concluded. There could be additional expense for other materials such as metal flashings, underlying material, etc.

• Labor Cost - The labor cost can mean the usual labor expenses that will be spent for the workers to complete the entire project. It is also helpful to discuss ahead of time with the contractor about any other possible labor costs for any unforeseen work such as installing a new drip edge, sheeting, etc.

• Old Roofing Removal - The removal and disposition of the old removed materials takes time and costs money. It should be clearly established who will be responsible for that expense and whether or not it is included in the stated labor costs.

• Property Restoration - The bid and contract should include a detailed description of the current condition of the homeowner's property and an agreement by the contractor as to how the property should look upon completion of the job. All obligations on the part of the contractor to protect landscaping and any other personal property in the vicinity of the job should be listed in detail.

Job Oversight

As with any other project, it is wise for the homeowner to visit the construction site daily to check on the current job status. Contractors usually welcome the homeowner visiting daily to ensure that everything is proceeding as planned and the work is being completed within the set time table. A daily visit may include climbing up on the roof to see the overall progress of the work. If this is not done, there will always be somewhat of a risk that the contractor could fall behind on the completion schedule; it is wise to ensure that all work meets the anticipated and/or requested specifications of the job.

The importance of personal management of this undertaking should never be under estimated. If the homeowner cannot personally inspect the project on a daily basis, there are people who can be hired to represent the owner at the job site. This person can help verify that all work at the construction site is being properly handled. This is an alternative that a homeowner can consider to see that the project is efficiently handled and hopefully prevent any issues or problems from occurring.

The biggest risk most homeowner’s face with a roofing project is waking up the next morning with tarpaulins still on the house because the contractor did not have a clear picture of what is expected with the assignment. Needs should be clearly outlined by both parties as to what is expected of this roofing project. So don’t just sign the contract and expect that the job will be completed within budget and on time. Make sure the roofer knows exactly what is expected of them!