How to Choose a Great Portland Roofer
Ah, summer! The trees are greener, the grass is growing like crazy, we finally get to see how dirty those front windows are, and…wait a minute! The roof looks terrible! The moment we realize what a beating the roof took over winter often coincides with a bit of sunshine and outdoor time. Looking up at the roof can fill homeowners with dread as, especially in Portland, months of wet weather gives way to a fascinating new ecosystem on our roofs and gutter systems.
At this point, we have a few choices: 1. Ignore it – “It’ll be fine for another year!” 2. Climb up on a ladder and precariously sweep off the unsightly moss and pinecone populations. 3. Call a professional roofing contractor.
For obvious reasons, we recommend the third option. A professional roofer can help you decide whether your roof just needs cleaning, repairs, or if it’s time to install a new roof altogether. A good roofer will handle your questions and offer estimates professionally and in-person. Take note of their transparency and promptness when giving information, this is an early indication of how they will handle the complex processes involved in the roofing work itself.
Three questions to ask a roofing contractor before hiring
There’s actually quite a bit of risk involved in hiring the wrong roofer to repair or replace your roof. Here are some ways you can protect yourself and your home from bad roofers:
- Ask to see proof of licensure, permits, and insurance. Liability for problems caused by unlicensed roofers can fall on the homeowner. If the roofer is injured, misjudges price estimates, damages your property, or is wasteful with materials, you could end up paying the price.
- For goodness’ sake – Ask for referrals! This is the clearest window into the future of your roof. Good roofers are more than happy to put you in contact with more than one former client. Just ask! If there is any hesitation on the roofer’s part, be wary.
- How long will it take? This is actually a two-part question. When will be the work be started, and how long will the whole job take? It’s important to be clear on this information as roofers, especially in Portland, have a lot of work to do in the summer. If your project is deemed low-priority, you may be waiting a while. For some, this is okay. But it’s best to be clear on your expected timeframe so there are no surprises down the line.
Roofing estimates: Things to know
Everyone’s favorite game — the roofing estimate! How are these things figured out? Good question! It’s a fairly simple equation in most cases, and you can help prepare yourself by crunching a few numbers before calling a pro. Though estimates vary between roofers, here’s a simple way to be prepared:
Jot down some information about your roof:
- Roof measurements
- The slope of the roof (low slope, medium, steep, or very steep)
- Complexity of the roof (simple, medium difficulty, very complex)
- Number of tear-off layers
- How many levels?
- Roofing materials desired
- US region (“Pacific” in Portland’s case)
As far as calculations go, if you’re super curious, this roof replacement calculator website has a wealth of detailed information. However, prices are ultimately up to individual roofers. And it’s important to keep in mind that the cheapest bid might be just that – cheap. And the most expensive bid doesn’t necessarily guarantee the best roof for your situation. It could involve materials or additional services that you don’t need. In either case, it’s a good idea to do some research and think about what your individual parameters are.
Dr. Roof performs inspections without any pressure. Your roof estimate in Portland will be detailed and our roofing contractor is happy to review the results of the inspection with you.