Roofing Estimate Surprises | Extra Costs?

Posted on March 20, 2010 by Mike

How to avoid paying more than your new roof estimate

Be for you sign a contract/agreement and make a deposit on a new roof make sure you know exactly whats included!

Many roof estimates clearly state how many layers of existing roofing shingles are included for removal. Some will include removal of up-to 1, 2 or even three layers of of shingles. But what if there is a fourth layer (hmmm)??? Make sure your estimate includes proper removal and disposal of all layers of existing roofing, to avoid paying for overages.

When replacing an old shingled roof with a new one, it is important to know the condition of the existing roof structure. If you nail new shingles down on roof decking that is soft or rotted, the nails will not hold, and you will have shingles blowing off your roof.

You need to know what your roofer charges to replace roof boards. Some estimates will include a certain amount (ie.100 square feet), but what if your roof requires more. It should be outlined in the contract. You may find it is best to negotiate this cost before your roofing has been stripped off. Will it be $2.00 a square foot, or $10.00?

Will you receive; step flashing, flanges, ridge venting, soffit venting, ice & water shield, drip edge.
If you have a brick chimney, will it be re-leaded?
If you have vents, will they be re-used or replaced new?

Note: If it is not written in the agreement it will cost extra or be neglected.

Posted in Roofing Estimates | Tagged brick chimney, contract agreement, drip edge, new shingles, overtures, roof decking, roof estimate, roof structure, roofer, roofing shingles, square feet, square foot, water shield | Comments Off

A Roofing Estimate is more than just Shingles & Price

Posted on March 13, 2010 by Mike

Consider Price Vs. Cost

Price is a one time thing, and cost is a life time thing. Consider two similar items, one priced at 10,000.00, and the other 12,000.00. The one priced at 12,000.00 lasts 30 years and requires no maintenance, and the other only last 20 years and required 2 repairs at a total cost of 1500.00.


If we divide the first 12,000.00 by 30 years we get a yearly cost of 400.00.
If we divide the second 10,000.00 + 1500.00 for repairs by 20 years we can figure a yearly cost of 575.00

So The first estimate of 12,000.00 only seamed the more expensive. It is very important that the big picture be looked at.

A manufactures warranty is only valid if you use more products than just their shingles. You must nail each shingle properly, shingles must be laid in the proper pattern, the roof must have adequate ventilation, the appropriate underlayment must be used, as well as many other factors or else a claim will bounce.

Cost Vs. Price | Round Two

Many, many roofing contractors are insured as carpenters, or not insured at all. This is because roofing is a very dangerous profession, and the amount of claims are high. Our insurance cost is $40.00 per hour per man for insurance liability and unemployment compensation here in Massachusetts.

So, a three day job at 6 hours a day with three workers cost $2160.00 Just for insurance, we have not even paid them or bought supplies. If a uninsured worker gets hurt on your property what is the cost of that roof? 100,000 or more?

Cost Vs. Price | Round Three

Suppose your roof decking / the boards you nail your shingles to which are mostly laminated plywood nowadays, is not prepared and inspected properly. And you discover a few years down the line that all the shingles have to come off to replace the de-laminated or rotted roof boards. There is no defect in roofing materials and this means the manufacturer is not liable. You have to pay to have the same work done again.

Cost Vs. Price Round Four

Again, suppose your roof is not ventilated properly and heat and trapped moisture cause the plywood to separate and buckle. If you drive around looking up all day as I do, you will see many examples of this because proper ventilation is a relatively new concept, many, many homes still do not have a ridge vent, or adequate soffit vents installed. Again you will be left holding the bag, paying to have it done again.

Not only is it usually cheaper to do it right the first time, if you have it done with quality materials backed by a solid warranty it will ad value to your home and make it easier to sell should you ever decide to do so.

Posted in Roofing Estimates | Tagged adequate ventilation, carpenters, insurance liability, massachusetts, plywood, roofing contractors, roofing materials, shingle, shingles, underlayment, warranty | Comments Off

Shingle Blow Off Is Prevented During Installation

Posted on March 4, 2010 by Mike


Shingle Blow Off | Nailing Patterns

Believe it or not shingle blow off is common when your roof is hit with high winds. Most shingles are nailed down with 8 nails, 4 when attaching a shingle, and 4 more when the next row goes on above. This is the most common nail pattern with most laminated shingles. Eight nails will usually hold down shingles in winds up to 70 miles per hour.

You can increase shingle adherence to 120 miles per hour by adding two extra nails per shingle. It is called hurricane nailing by the GAF Shingle Manufacturer, and is code in Dade and Broward County Florida.

If your asphalt shingle roof is up on a hill and not protected by surrounding structures, you will be more vulnerable to mother nature.

Shingle Exposure

With traditional asphalt shingles, as each course goes on over the last, the piece of the shingle that is left exposed is measured. GAF Recommends a 5 inch to 5 3/4 inch exposure. Note* The longer the exposure the less shingles you will need to cover a roof.

The smaller 5 inch exposure creates better adherence and is less likely to get caught and torn off in a strong wind. Some contractors and builders will try to get maximum exposure, reducing material costs, and increasing profits.

Posted in Roofing Advice | Tagged adherence, asphalt shingle roof, gaf, high winds, hurricane, shingles | Comments Off

Missing Shingles – Blow Offs

Posted on March 3, 2010 by Mike

How to Repair Shingles Blown Off Near the Ridge

This is one of the easiest repairs to do, and I will illustrate with some pictures I took doing this very same repair on a home in Haverhill Massachusetts just Yesterday.

Missing shingle picture near ridge

Click to Enlarge

First you need to get the necessary supplies, This means you will need to match your shingle. This can be the toughest part of the repair. In order to match the color and size of the shingle you have to know who the manufacturer is.

The easiest way to determine the manufacturer of your shingle is to bring a piece from your roof to a local building supplier that stock multiple brands of shingles. once you identify the manufacturer, the color will be obvious.

If you know the brand of your shingle it may help you to also know, Home Depot stocks GAF products, Lowes stocks Owens Corning products, and the two biggest shingle manufactures are GAF/ELK and Certain-Teed.

To do this style of repair you would simply:

  • Remove all the caps along the ridge above the missing shingles.
  • Remove any damaged shingles.
  • Install new shingles starting with the lowest and working your way to the ridge (Top).
  • Install new caps on the ridge.
  • Finish off the last cap by face nailing it and sealing the nails with Geocel
after shot of roofing repair in haverhill ma

After

Posted in Roof Repair | Tagged asphalt shingle repairs, blow off, gaf, high winds, How To, repair roof, replace asphalt shingle, replace shingle, Shingle Repair, shingle repairs, shingle replacement | Comments Off