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How do I find a professional roofing contractor?
Referrals are the best place to start. Ask a
neighbor who recently had his roof replaced
about his contractor and if he was happy with
the work done.
The second best place to seek out professional
roofing companies is to go to your local Auburn,
Syracuse building distributor or lumber yard dealer
and ask them. We are not referring to the large
home center or retail store chains, but rather
professional roofing material distributors who work
with reputable contractors on a regular basis.
The Yellow Pages is usually the third place
homeowners can look. Auburn and Syracuse, New York
have the Yellow Pages or the Verizon SuperPages.
Ask for 8-10 references, meaning job-site locations
or names of homeowners, from each contractor
interviewed.
The following are additional points to consider in
evaluating contractors:
• Repeat business in nearby area;
• Length of time in business;
• Willingness and ability to handle complaints
quickly and fairly;
• Completeness and professionalism of estimate
offered and presentation given. Make judgments
based on the quality and number of jobsite
photos shown (these should include names,
phone numbers and completion dates),
presentation of proper insurance, number of
references offered, proposal provided, etc. Do not
base professionalism on the sole criteria of having
a legible business card.
• Membership in professional associations; and,
• Knowledge and thoroughness of roofing
procedures.
Do not consider any bids from contractors you have
not met or interviewed. Check with Onondaga or
Cayuga County City Hall if you are unsure.
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What is the best way to judge an estimate?
In judging the cost of a job, you should evaluate the following:
• The contractor–basing your evaluation on the
likelihood that during the next three to five years,
the period in which any imperfections in the roof
system are most likely to occur, the contractors can
be located, will stand behind his warranty, and
will provide the service he promised;
• The quality and completeness of the roof
system recommended–making sure the
complete roof system will include ventilation
and waterproofing shingle underlayment
(if appropriate to your region and your
home’s structure); The New York Fingerlakes
region requires underlayment due to snow and icing.
• The quality of the product choices
offered–expect to pay a higher price for designer
or architectural shingles (further explanation
regarding product selection is provided in the
next section); and,
• The completeness of the contractor’s
insurance package–protecting you from
involvement in worker injuries, third person
liabilities, and damages consequential to the
work being performed.
MOST IMPORTANT: Never judge the value of
various proposals from the lowest bid received.
A low price can signal a lot of discrepancies and
shortcomings in the reliability of the contractor.
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How long is it reasonable to expect to wait for work to begin?
Weather permitting–a common period from
contract signing to job start is 2-6 weeks. This can
vary a great deal depending on the time of year
and the contractor’s backlog. Job start delays and
postponements are a fact of life in a trade which
is highly dependent on weather. However, the
roofer also has a responsibility to you to be
straightforward about his availability right from the
start. He should also advise you on a timely basis
about any changes in the schedule originally set.
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What is the typical duration of a reroofing job?
The duration of the job varies widely depending
on the size and complexity of the roof. A small,
uncomplicated roof job can usually be finished in
a day or two. A large, complex project can last
a week or more. Once started, however, a job
should not be interrupted for any reason other
than weather. In the Auburn, Skaneateles, Syracuse,
NY area, spring is the best time to reroof but also
the most busiest time for the contractors.
If, on the other hand, a problem arises in the
reroofing process, it might be necessary to halt the
work to negotiate a change in the contract. You
should always be advised of any changes which
affect the contract agreement. A well-drafted,
professional contract will anticipate unforeseen
problems such as hidden deck rot, etc. These
conditions can be incorporated in "not to exceed
price" or "time and material" clauses.
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How does extreme weather affect re-roofing projects?
Bad weather and extreme temperatures can
interrupt or postpone roofing projects. Safety of
the worker is the first consideration. This can be
an issue in both hot and cold weather.
Windy, wet and icy weather present dangers on a roof.
Shingles are also affected by temperature extremes.
New York's cold weather will delay activation of the sealant.
This is not a reason to delay a project unless the
shingle manufacturer prohibits installation at low
temperatures for warranty purposes. Experienced
installers who exercise care can usually avoid
this problem.
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Should I expect to pay a deposit when I sign an agreement?
Deposit requirements vary from roofing contractor to
contractor. While it is not considered unreasonable
to pay a deposit you should never pay for the total
job up-front. It is not recommended that the total
deposit and progress payments equal more than
75% of the total job price (New York state laws regulate
this amount).
Deposits should not be held over more than
two months without consideration for the cost of
money. Long-term deposits can be placed in escrow
or interest costs can be credited against the cost of
the job as a term of the contract.
It is not recommended to give a deposit to a
contractor whose track record cannot be verified
by references from recent work.
NOTE: Before signing the contract or agreement,
make sure the price covers all materials, gutters,
ventilation, clean-up, completion date, etc.
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How do I select a material?
Selecting roofing shingles is no different than
purchasing a major home appliance or even a new
car: You should investigate your options carefully,
comparison shop, and weigh the costs against
features and benefits desired.
Just like choosing a car, the overriding factor in
selecting a roofing shingle is knowing whether
your primary goal is function only or function plus
aesthetics. With a car, you know whether you want
a sporty, knock-em-dead car or a practical sedan
with room for several passengers. It’s the same with
roofing shingles.
Sometimes a homeowner who is looking to reroof
for functional reasons may see a standard three-tab
roofing shingle on a neighbor’s home and decide
to go with the same product choice–maybe even
the same color. But if appearance is a major factor
in your reroof decision, then take the time to
really look around. You may want to visit an Auburn,
Syracuse, NY distributor to obtain product literature and
see the various designer shingle choices available.
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What’s the difference between an architectural, designer or standard shingle?
Since the early 1900
’s, the three-tab or strip shingle
was the standard composition shingle installed on
single family residences. These products come with
20, 25, and 30 year warranty coverage. Color is
about the only appearance differentiation in this
class of shingle.
In 1965, CertainTeed Corporation
introduced the Hallmark Shangle™, the first
architectural or designer shingle on the market. The
standard laminated "dragon-tooth" design followed
that. Other important innovations in architectural
shingles include the Super Shangle and Super Shake
styles.
Today, the architectural shingle class is running
away with the market. Warranties range up to 40
years and even life-time. Color is no longer the only
choice to make. The many textures, forms, and
designs of architectural shingles in the marketplace
can result in a major aesthetic upgrade for your home.
Ask your roofing company to show you a Good, Better,
and Best selection of products. Shingles are not just
for keeping out the rain, anymore.
Drive around the Cayuga County or Onondaga County
to see what is being used locally.
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What type of warranty should I look for? Aren't they all the same?
Warranties usually range from 20 to 40 years.
CertainTeed has a lifetime warranty. Yet, as an
increasing number of contractors and homeowners
tell us, the length of the warranty is not as
meaningful to them as upfront coverage in the
few years following application. This is the time
when, according to contractors, problems caused
by defects are most likely to occur. As a result
you should:
• Look for manufacturers’ warranties that cover
materials and labor in the first three to five years
after application on any grade of roofing shingle.
• Carefully review the manufacturer’s warranty
stipulations about proration and transferability.
Proration is the reduction of the manufacturer’s
contribution to the homeowner for repairing or
replacing defective shingles during the warranty
period. Select products carrying a warranty that
does not prorate during the first three to five
years after installation. Also, make sure the
warranty prorates on the current market cost
of the replacement shingles (as opposed to the
original cost of the defective shingles).
• Examine the manufacturer’s stipulations on
ventilation and warranty validation. Shingle
roof system failure as the result of inadequate
ventilation may cause the shingle warranty to
become invalid. (See question regarding roof
ventilation for further explanation.)
• Note the contractor’s guarantee of performance.
Contractors’ guarantees are usually for one to five
years on the average. Remember that the length
of the contractor’s guarantee is less important
than his ability or intent to stand behind his
workmanship and to service a valid complaint in
a reasonable time period. This intent must be
determined from referrals and references and
his general reputation in the Auburn, Skaneateles,
Syracuse, New York business community.
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What does the U.L. fire resistance rating for a shingle mean?
The Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.) ratings signify
that the shingles were manufactured to pass a
certain set of standards to qualify as fire resistant.
Organic shingles carry a U.L. Class C fire resistance
rating. Fiber glass shingles carry a U.L. Class A fire
resistance rating. Either is appropriate for NY residential
applications.
Some Cayuga County or Onondaga County building
codes may have ordinances specifying a certain U.L.
Class for your residential area. Your contractor or
local building codes officer can tell you what the
requirements are for you particular area.
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Do I need to obtain a permit to install a new roof on my home?
Some New York Fingerlake region local ordinances
require permits be obtained prior to the start of
roofing work in both new and some reroofing jobs,
depending on the locale.
If a permit is required, discuss it with your roofing
contractor who will obtain it and how it will be obtained.
If your contractor agrees to obtain the permit, make
sure your contract states this clearly.
Your roofing contractor should know if a permit is
required in Auburn, Skaneateles, Syracuse, New York
for reroofing jobs. You can also double-check with
the Cayuga or Onondaga county building codes
officer to be sure.
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What is roof slope? Does the slope of the roof limit the choice of shingle?
The slope of the roof is measured by the rise vs.
the run, or the number of inches vertically by the
number of feet horizontally. Some roof slopes can
limit the choice of shingles that can be used.
For Instance:
• A roof slope below 2/12 (2 inches per one foot)
cannot use shingles.
• Roof slope between 2/12 and 4/12 require lowslope
application techniques, including application
of waterproofing underlayment as appropriate.
• Roof slopes above 21/12 require steep-slope
application techniques.
Your roofing contractor should consult the
application instructions found on each shingle
bundle wrapper or installation instructions supplied
separately for further details.
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Is it always necessary to tear off existing shingles before reroofing?
There are two options available for reroofing
installations. One would be to tear off the old roof
before applying the new one (tear off). The second
would be to lay new shingles over the existing roof
(lay over). While the second choice is the less
expensive of the two options, it is not necessarily
always the best choice.
There are advantages to tearing off the old roof
before installing a new one. For example:
• If there are any defects in the roof deck, they will
be revealed when the roof is torn off. These
defects should be repaired before applying the
new roof.
• If condensation problems exist in the attic, they
too will be revealed when the roof is torn off.
Properly designed attic ventilation can then be
installed in order to help eliminate such problems.
• When the old roof is torn off, waterproofing
shingle underlayment can be installed before
applying the new roof. This will help protect
against cyclical ice damage.
• Tearing off the old roof and starting with a clean
deck before reroofing may result in a smoother
finished roof system.
Although there is added cost to these advantages,
each lessens the likelihood that the validity of the
manufacturer ’s shingle warranty will be impaired.
If the old roof is torn off, your contractor should
be responsible for the clean-up and disposal of the
old shingles, but make sure your contract states
this clearly.
If you do plan to reroof over existing shingles, first
check if your local building codes limit the number
of roof layers that can be applied to a residence in
your area. Your contractor should know the
pertinent code requirements.
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How can you determine if the roof is properly ventilated?
When contractors say a roof should breathe, they
are usually referring to the ventilation system
beneath the roof deck.
Most shingle warranties require a lot of ventilation–
as much as "one square foot of net free ventilation
area for each 150 square feet of floor space to be
vented; or one square foot per 300 square feet
when both ridge and soffit ventilators are used."
An effective ventilation system will help:
• reduce attic heat build-up;
• reduce attic moisture and condensation;
• prevent weather infiltration, i.e., drifting snow,
wind-driven rain; and,
• prevent ice dam build-up (see the following
question for ice dam discussion).
Even if you feel you ’ve had satisfactory ventilation
performance with your old roof for as long as 20
years, it might be necessary to add ventilation with
your new roof to meet the standards mentioned
previously.
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What function does shingle underlayment serve?
An underlayment, commonly known as roofing
felt, will:
• Protect the roof deck from moisture prior to
shingle application; and,
• Provide a degree of back-up protection in the
event water gets under roofing shingles.
Some local building codes and U.L. standards
require that a shingle underlayment be installed.
Ask your contractor if this is the case in your
area.
Also, some manufacturers offer a special
underlayment product which prevents leaks caused
by water back-up from ice dams –a common
condition in many winter snow areas. Protection
against ice dams can be obtained by using a
waterproofing shingle underlayment at the eaves
or lower edges of the roof, in addition to installing
adequate ventilation and proper insulation in the
attic floor. Ask your contractor about these specialized
underlayments.
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