The time has come to repair or replace your roof. What now? Sometimes, it’s hard to know where to start. After all, many homeowners go years without needing to address major roofing issues.
Whether you’ve replaced a roof before or not, this step-by-step hiring guide should prove useful. With a little forethought, you will easily find the right roofing companies in NJ for your project.
Identify Prospective Roofers
“Word-of-mouth,” the long-established way of finding a good contractor, is still very relevant. Your confidence increases when you find a relative, friend, neighbor or business associate that had a good experience with a local roofer.
Even if you don’t find the information you’re looking for through referrals, it is often possible to collect information from a roofer’s website, Twitter feed or Facebook page. Active local roofers may post photos of residential roofing projects. Sometimes, you’ll find testimonials from satisfied customers.
Some roofing manufacturers publish reviews of their certified roofing contractors right on their main websites. For example, since CRS is designated as a GAF Master Elite Roofer, the roofing manufacturer publishes reviews of CRS right on its site.
It is also possible to find roofing companies in NJ by looking at online reviews found on Yelp, Facebook Local, Google Maps, Houzz, Angie’s List, Home Advisor and others.
Also, consider any awards the roofer may have received. For example, GAF presented CRS with its Training Consumer Protection Award that offers homeowners peace-of-mind by signifying “an exceptional understanding of the benefits of installing complete roofing systems with superior warranty protection.”
Arrange for Visits
Once you identify two or three roofing companies in NJ that seem like a good fit for your project, arrange for visits by their roof inspectors. As you compare contractors, don’t forget to ask them for local references.
With CRS, simply call our office to discuss your needs. We’ll ask you various questions. The information gathered will guide our certified roofer to perform a residential roof inspection. Our inspector will take measurements and snap photos as he carefully examines the current condition of your roof.
Customized Roof Systems
Back at our office, we design your roof system, honoring local building codes and other requirements in the process. Your customized roof system adheres to all manufacturer specifications. Why a customized roof system? Because with residential roofs, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. Simply put, every roof is unique.
As a result, CRS will provide you with a detailed proposal that addresses key issues, like the kind of preparation required and the materials to be used. The proposal states general terms and conditions. It also confirms that we have the proper insurance and notes the warranty you will receive.
As you compare roofers, establish who uses the highest quality materials. For example, New Jersey-based GAF is known for its durable Timberline architectural shingles. GAF stands behind this product by offering its innovative lifetime warranty when one of its certified roofers installs Timberline products.
Estimates Best Practices
Homeowners often find that roofing companies in NJ present their estimates in different ways. For example, some roofers break down a quote into separate elements. For example, a roofer might quote a “completed per square” price, which refers to every 100 square feet of shingles installed. This allows a roofer to present you with smaller numbers that may cause confusion about real costs.
Of course, there’s only one number you really care about – your total cost. At CRS, our quote is based on the combined cost of materials, labor and disposal expenses (i.e., the cost to get rid of old shingles, etc.). There’s a markup added to CRS’ costs, and that’s your price. We keep it simple.
Should you accept the CRS proposal, we will work with you to set a date that is convenient for you. Weather permitting, your crew will arrive on schedule, ready to go.
Preparation
A professional roofing crew must take measures to keep the worksite tidy and to protect landscaping. Crews use tarps to protect landscaping and outdoor items as the project gets underway. Prior to the crew’s arrival, it is ideal if the homeowner takes steps to protect outdoor furniture and other property that’s close to the perimeter of the home.
It is also a good idea for homeowners to secure picture frames and wall hangings that might be affected by vibrations from the roof, particularly when old shingles are due to be torn off.
Prompt Completion
It’s understandable that a roofing project, particularly one with a tear-off, is somewhat disruptive to a homeowner’s daily routine. That’s why CRS plans ahead in order to complete most residential projects in a single day. To help accomplish this, we have our own debris container delivered to the site, and we pick it up as the project is completed.
Since most residential projects take so little time, some homeowners plan other activities away from home for the day. Although roof replacements may get noisy at times, our experienced crews make a sincere effort to minimize distractions. In general, we use experienced crews that have the know-how to get the work done right and right on time.
At the conclusion of your roofing project, we’ll review warranty coverage with you. We’ll also recommend annual inspections to protect your investment.
Contact Us for Further Assistance
CRS is one of the most experienced roofing companies in NJ. Since 1977, we’ve built a reputation for quality residential roofing in Bergen County NJ and beyond.
We offer comprehensive residential roofing services, including inspections, emergency repairs, re-roofing and full roof replacements. To arrange for your complimentary roof inspection by our certified inspector, please contact us today!
