Roofs last for so long, that homeowners don’t have much experience with the process. When they need a new roof in Oklahoma City, they ask a few roofing contractors to submit bids and often just take the lowest one. They should review the bids carefully to understand what they include. Installing a new roof is much more than nailing on a few shingles.
The bid should include the materials and labor costs for the sub-roof or the area that will support the shingles. It should also include the roof deck protection that protects the sub-roof. In addition to the shingles that will cover most of the roof, the bid should include starter strip shingles that are placed on the edge of the roof and the leak protection barrier that goes underneath them. Ridge cap shingles are placed on the roof peaks and attic ventilation keeps the house cool.
The contractor can choose among many brands for each of these materials. The cost often depends upon the quality of the materials and their warranties. If a bid comes in low, the homeowner should look at the brands each contractor will use and the length of the warranties. Warranties also differ in what they cover and the types of maintenance they require. A 20-year warranty could be useless, if it excludes most types of damage after 15 years. The roofing contractor installing the new roof in Oklahoma City can explain all of these details to the homeowner.
The homeowner should also make sure that the New Roof estimate includes the cost of tearing off the old roof and cleaning up the yard after the roof is installed. Roofing materials include many large metal nails or staples. Reputable contractors use large magnets to make sure that none of these are left behind for pets for children to choke on. Usually they rent a dumpster to place near the home. Tossing roofing materials directly into it minimizes the time it takes to clean up the yard.
Once the roof is complete, the homeowner should discuss a maintenance plan with the roofing contractor. Annual inspections and repair can double the life of a roof. It also protects the warranties.
