Tips to Create a Successful Roofing Project

It’s a given that any roofing project is a significant undertaking. In fact, it requires more than just financial investments. It also requires thorough planning so that everything is executed properly. Just like how roof repair projects are more than just sealing off gaps or repairing damaged shingles, or how roof replacement projects are more than just tearing off your roof and replacing them with new ones. 

In today’s day and age, a successful roofing project is dictated by utilizing the best roofing materials and making use of a systematic approach that focuses on protecting one of your most important investments – your residential or commercial roofing system.

With that in mind, whether you’re a residential property owner or a business owner, you’ll need to know the best practices and tips to ensure that your roofing project turns out to become a success. In this post, Summit Roofing & Restoration, Inc., the top roofing contractor in your area, shares these tips below.

Find and Hire a Qualified Roofing Contractor

The success of your roofing project hinges on several factors, such as the experience and the credibility of the roofing contractor you’ll work with.

• Has Valid Permits and Licenses. Your prospective roofing contractor should have all the necessary licenses and permits to carry out their services in your area. This also means that the roofing company should adhere to both local and state regulations and passes the requirements to become a certified roofing contractor in your area. If they fail to deliver in one of these categories, move on, and look for another roofer to work with.

• Make Sure They’re Insured. Even if you’re working with a skilled roofing contractor that follows all the necessary precautions before the job, there are still a lot of uncertainties in a roofing project. With that being said, a roofing project is dangerous in itself, which could result in accidental injuries to the workers, or damage to the property. This is why it’s important to verify if your prospective roofer has a valid workers’ compensation and liability insurance to protect you from liability against these unfortunate incidents.

• Trained and Certified. It’s not enough that your roofing contractor is bonded, licensed, and insured. They also have to be trained and certified to take on the responsibilities that are laid upon them. The easiest way to distinguish between a skilled and a neophyte contractor is to see if they’re certified by GAF, the largest roofing manufacturer in the United States. The Master Elite® certification program has one of the most stringent requirements that only 3% of all the roofing contractors in the country have this recognition. Hiring a contractor with this certification gives you peace of mind knowing that you’re working with one of the most skilled hands in the trade.

Plan the Project Scope In Detail

If you’re a business owner or a property manager that plans to have a roof replacement, repair, or maintenance project in the future, be sure to have a detailed and well-planned project scope that’s communicated clearly to those involved in the project. Having a thorough understanding of your roofing plan enables you to grapes all the important details and aspects of the project. It also lets your roofing contractor curate accurate estimates for your convenience.

Factor In the Weather

The weather and climate is another important factor to consider when you’re planning a residential or commercial roofing project. This is because it can affect your project’s timeline and how your roofer will navigate through the project. In fact, the best time to commit to a roofing project is when you’ve made thorough preparations for it. 

But to give you a general idea of the peak season for roofing projects, it usually lies between late summer and the fall season where weather events are a rare occurrence. For most areas in the United States, spring is the season when roofing projects are often commenced. However, the weather can be unpredictable, which is why it’s better to work with a local contractor who has a grasp on how the local climate works. They could know some subtle signs that indicate a severe weather event is about to occur, letting you adjust accordingly. They should also be able to adjust start times and work days based on forecasts and current weather conditions.

A skilled roofer should also have countermeasures in case severe weather strikes in the middle of a project. For example, if there is a sudden downpour during a roof replacement project, your roofer will protect your exposed wood decking from the rain to prevent moisture and rotting. They’ll also ensure that your wood decking is dry so that your adhesives will perform its job properly during the roof replacement process. Remember that doing so with moisture residue can lead to problems like rotting and mold growth. In turn, this shortens the lifespan of your brand-new roofing system.

Prepare Your Home

You might think that your job is done when you’ve hired a roofing contractor. This isn’t entirely true since participating in your project increases its chances of success. To ensure that your roofing team is ready to commence the project, make sure that your property is ready for the project day. This can be done by ensuring that there’s enough space in the property to serve as a preparation area for your contractors. 

This area should have enough space for your contractor’s tools, materials, and equipment. An ideal space, for instance, is your driveway. However, your roofer should inform you of their space requirement weeks in advance. In any case, you should clear the area from debris and valuables that can obstruct the crew’s preparation. 

It’s also a good idea to make temporary relocation plans for the rest of your family in case the replacement project becomes too messy. Make sure that your children and pets are also in a safe location during the duration of the project. 

If you’re a commercial property owner, your preparations lie in giving proper roof access to your contractor and maintaining peace and safety for all of the building’s occupants. Ensure that the ground floor is secure to keep pedestrians away from falling hazards, and communicate with your contractor not to make too much noise so that they won’t disturb the other occupants of the building.

Most importantly, make sure that your contractor is committed to cleanliness, especially during these trying times. Ensure that they follow the proper sanitation procedures and that they clean up before, during, and after the roofing project is done. It’s important that your home is also free from debris and clutter once the dust settles.

From small projects to more complex jobs, you can count on Summit Roofing & Restoration, Inc. to deliver quality results. We offer a variety of services including storm damage repair, roof replacement, and more. Call us at Dyersburg: (731) 206-3821 or Atoka: (901) 676-7449 or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate.