Wouldn’t it be great if your roof lasted forever? Unfortunately a complete roof replacement will be required during the lifespan of your home. If you want to make a positive investment into your property, having a new roof professionally installed by TCR Builders is an excellent way to increase your homes value, elevate the curb appeal, and remain protected from the elements.
Dealing with a roof replacement can be a daunting task for many homeowners. The stress related to the planning and permitting can be relieved by learning what to expect, and hiring the right company to get the job done. During your roof replacement there are things to expect during your project. Workers will walk around your roof—ripping, tearing, drilling, nailing, and pounding frames with hammers. Dust, debris, pieces of shingles, and other materials will scatter around your home. It’s a noisy, messy job—but you can be prepared.
If you’re ready to start a roofing replacement project on your Long Island home; the top rated team at TCR Builders has put together a useful guide to help understand the steps required for a successful new roof installation on your Long Island home.
Research Local Roofing Companies
The very first step is finding a reliable and trustworthy roofing contractor to perform the work. There are countless contractors for hire on Long Island but not all of them are the same. It’s important to do your homework and make sure you’re contracting with the right roofing company.
It’s a good idea to talk to neighbors and people in your community for local roofing company referrals on Long Island. Rolling the dice on a contractor with no references or local resume is not worth the risk. Another good option is to read through local reviews from previous customers online. Under no circumstances should you hire a roof replacement contractor that is not GAF Certified. GAF is Americas largest roofing manufacturer and serious roofing companies will make sure to be certified.
Start Gathering Roof Replacement Estimates
Obviously with any expensive home renovation you want to make sure you’re getting the best value for your budget, and ensure you’re not being ripped off. Request estimates from a variety of local roofing contractors, and compare their rates, options and experience. Each company should provide a free consultation and review your roofing project details.
On average replacing your home’s roof can vary a bit- however the majority of roofing contractors on Long Island will likely charge between $6,000 and $9,5000 depending on the size of your home.
Although it is enticing, we don’t recommend automatically going with the lowest bidder. It’s very important to do your research, review contractors references, and photos of previous jobs. Always remember – “You get what you pay for”. Saving big on the initial job could potentially cost thousands in repairs later on.
Choosing a Roofing Contractor
After gathering your roof replacement estimates take some time to consider the interactions you had with each company and select the one that stands out. Go with the one that made you feel comfortable and made the right recommendations for your project.
Remember that your roof replacement project has a lot of different parts and you want a contractor that won’t cut corners. Multiple components work together to protect your home including starter strip shingles, leak barriers, ridge vents, roof deck protection, and ridge cap shingles.
Make sure your roofing contractor is fully licensed, insured and has all the necessary training to complete your roof replacement properly.
Pay close attention to the warranties they are offering. Only a GAF Certified Elite contractor can offer warranties on GAF roofing materials.
Choose Your Rooging Products & Warranties
Stay mindful when choosing roofing products for your home, each item can have significant impact on the overall cost of your project. A quality roof replacement contractor will work with you to select the proper roofing materials specific for your home, budget and needs.
Asphalt shingles are the most popular kind of roofing material on Long Island. Cost effective, easy to install, and built to last up to two decades or longer, asphalt shingles look great in a variety of different colors and styles. The biggest downside to asphalt is their popularity, which means your roof has less of a chance of standing out in the neighborhood. Premium, architectural shingles cost more up front—but pay you back in the form of impressive curb appeal.
Go over everything from ventilation and style to payment and financing options they offer. In our Long Island climate, where hot summers alternate between cold winters, a healthy roof ventilation system ensures heat gain, heat loss, and moisture can escape while keeping extreme temperatures from damaging wood substrates and shingles.
Now is also the time to explore warranty options and find the right coverage for your needs.
During Construction Preparing for the Big Project
Start preparing your home for your roof installation a few days ahead of the scheduled start date. You can expect the contractor to have a dumpster and the roofing supplies before construction begins. Make sure your driveway in clear and that someone is home when the delivery crew arrives.
Most roof replacements can be accomplished in one day. However, depending on the size of your home, the type of work and materials, where you live, your roof’s shape, and the weather, your roof project can take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks.
Prepare your property for the project and construction by placing plywood and tarps over the siding, plants, walls, and bushes. (This extra step also makes the post-project cleanup faster and more thorough).
Before the big day, park your vehicles on the street—and even down the street to keep them at a safe distance—giving the contractor enough room to move everything back and forth from your home.
Move or cover outdoor items near your home to prevent nails, roofing materials, and falling debris from damaging your furniture, grills, planters, and other items.
Relocate or tarp valuable property in your attic. Roofing work can create vibrations that travel throughout the house, so secure wall hangings and valuable or fragile items on shelves which can fall or break.
Expect minimal disruption to your daily routine. Most contractors work during office hours. If you work from home, anticipate some noise disruption. Explain to your children the danger of being outside and set up areas for them to play safely.
If you need a break from all the banging, consider spending some time with a friend or family member. If you have pets you may want to consider moving them off property while the work is being done if possible or move them to the most quiet room in the house. The loud and consistent banging of hammers can be especially stressful for dogs and cats.
Understanding the installation process.
Step one is simple: remove the old roof.
The roofer will remove the old materials right down to the plywood. The shingles, flashing, vents, and the entire deck surface including the tar paper are history. The same is true for damaged wood— shingles can shift when installed on rotted wood, for example, springing leaks and undermining the reason you installed a new roof in the first place.
Once the old roof is removed, the contractor will examine the roof deck. Rotted, soft, or wet wood discovered during the inspection warrant a replacement, ensuring a solid base for the new roofing structure ready to keep the shingles intact. A quick wood sheeting inspection will also ensure correct attachment of the materials to your roof.
After the wood decking, the roofer will install drip edges. These pieces of metal with a ninety-degree bend stop rain from seeping beneath the roofing materials at the edges.
Roofing underlayment works as a shield to prevent water and ice from penetrating the wood decking and creating leaks and cracks that can weaken the structure. The roofer will install this barrier of protection at all penetration points including roof connections, pipe flanges, chimneys, and the bottom of the roof.
After the shield the felt is installed, which covers the roof to prevent new shingles from sticking to the wood. Heavy-duty roofing felt ensures your new roof can hold up to extreme weather and water damage.
Your roof replacement contractor will also check the intake and exhaust vents. Good ventilation helps your new shingles and roof last longer—and a quick inspection inside the attic tells the roofer if you need new vents. Ice dams are a common problem during harsh New York winters—and a good roofer knows how to combine better sealing, insulation, and venting in the attic and eaves to keep them at bay. Now is also the time to inspect for gutter damage including separations, dents, and overflowing water.
With all components assessed, the new roof installation can begin. The roofer will start from the bottom and work their way up. The first group is the ridge capping, ridge vents, counter flashing, and pipes. Next comes the underlayment and the perfect alignment of tar paper. On top of that is an under-row of starter shingles to prevent overlaps of bonds or tabs. For homes without gutters, roofers will install diverters to ensure a healthy flow of water off the roof.
The last big part of the project is the cleanup. (A good roofer will leave your home cleaner than it was before the job.) Your job is to walk around your property and inspect the work so that the roofer can tie up any potential loose ends before the final sign off.
Make sure the roofer removed all debris and stray roofing nails. Some roofers are better than others at tracking down and picking up all the scattered pieces.
After Your Roof Replacement Project
Ask your roofer for a long term maintenance plan and tips on how to keep your new roof in tip top shape. Make sure you are given copies of all of your paperwork and warranty information.
Expert level service for your home
Our top rated roof replacement team is ready to provide the service and reliability that has made TCR Builders a trusted roofing contractor on Long Island since 2001.
We put lifetime warranties, certified and award-winning installers, and 0% financing behind every roofing replacement project. Contact our top rated roofing replacement team today to schedule a free consultation —and discover royal treatment for you and your home (631) 533-5204.