Residential Roofing and Re-roofing Thoughts (Part Two)

Introduction

There are several elements you should know that are important when thinking about getting either a new roof or re-roofing your existing home. In part two of this three-part series, I will discuss Tips for Hiring a Roofing Professional. Part one describes Roofing Materials and Color Options. The goal of these articles is to help you develop a trouble-free, low maintenance roof.

Tips for Hiring a Roofing Professional

Unless you’re a glutton for punishment and an avid “do-it-yourselfer,” you will need to hire a roofing professional. Researching the internet and checking reviews is helpful, but referrals from neighbors, friends or family who have used a local roofing company is probably best. Do not solely shop price or you may get what you pay for!

Standing Seam Metal Roofing Contractors

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Standing seam metal roofing requires people that are experienced in the art of its installation to properly install it. Pick a company that their focus is on metal roof installation or at least has a dedicated crew or two that mostly does Standing seam metal. These companies should own an onsite roll former for the manufacture of the panels themselves.

Metal coils come in many different material choices starting with cold roll copper, Zinc, Stainless Steel, which themselves come in many different alloys and coatings, including Tin (SN) and many different finishes. There are also pre-painted metals of every imaginable color, texture, and seam configuration. These are mostly galvanized coated steel or aluminum, both primed and coated with unbelievably long-lasting fade resistant coatings. Their seams come in many designs, but by any measure the traditional double standing seam is by far superior to the rest.

Injury Liability

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There is one other important item to talk about and that is the possibility of liability for an injury that could very well happen in the process of getting a new roof.

Before you hire anybody, (particularly the one or two guys in a truck) make sure they have the proper insurance, specifically WORKMANS COMPENSATION! Many will tell you that they’re fully insured but all they may or may not have is perhaps a General Liability Policy. This is not Workman’s Compensation and, in most states, it does not cover injuries to a worker. Also, most of us think that either our Homeowners insurance or the umbrella policy the insurance company sold us would cover us a worker’s injury, generally this is not the case. In Virginia where I live, almost without exception, only Workman’s Comp can cover an injury to a worker.

Also, don’t let a “contractor” tell you that all their employes are “independent contractors” so they don’t need Workman’s Compensation, that’s absolute hogwash! I’ve heard this dozens of times on a recent three-year project that I’ve been involved with. In Virginia (like in many states) they may not be required by law to have Workman’s Compensation if they employ less than four people, but the liability of an injury can very well end up on you. Don’t put yourself at risk, ask for a COI, that is a Certificate of Insurance. Remember, if a worker gets injured at your home or business and they don’t have the proper insurance, there’s a very good chance that you may get stuck with paying huge hospital bills, disability payouts and a whole lot more.

This is part two of a three-part article called Residential Roofing and Re-roofing Thoughts. Part three, Lifetime Tool® & Building Products Roof System Components, explains why they are the absolute best roof system components.

About the Author

My name is Roger Cline, and my company is Lifetime Tool® & Building Products LLC. We manufacture only premium roof system components for roofing professionals, architects, home and building owners that demand real quality and value.

A little bit about me, I have more than 25 years in technical roofing sheet metal experience, not selling but complex design and installation, primarily double lock standing seam and flat lock, some slate, and shingles. I’ve been in the industry twice that long and have developed many patented roofing products. Several have changed the way things are done and one, how nearly all things globally attach to a standing seam metal roof, especially for solar panels and snow fences.