You cannot choose a professional roofer by looking at an estimate and comparing prices!

You cannot choose a professional roofer by looking at an estimate and comparing prices! Allow yourself time to sit down with the sales guys or even the owner to ask questions and explore your possibilities. You will be really surprised at how many options you have.

Great contractors take a lot of pride in their work and so should the salesperson representing them.

You should always ask these questions before ever considering making a final decision:

1. What is the full name and address of the company? Do they have an office, legitimate phone/fax numbers, do they reside in your area, and most importantly look them up on the Internet or phone book to make sure they are not a fly by night company. You will learn a lot by doing your research on them. Just remember, they are coming into "YOUR" home so make sure you trust any contractors you invite inside!!!!

2. Do they have insurance? Make them give you a number to their insurance company & call to confirm. It takes just a few seconds for and accident to happen that could cost "YOU" thousands of dollars if they are not insured. We have seen contractors issue fake certificates so please take the time to follow up. It's better to be safe than sorry! They will be on your roof & there is always that chance they could fall in & do a lot of damage to themselves & your home.

3. Do they have a license by the North Carolina Board of General Contractors? Make them show you the certificate and always be sure it is up to date. These laws are set in place to help "YOU" stay protected.

4. Are they a credentialed contractor? In other words, have they gone above & beyond the standards of the everyday roofer. Are they educated, trained, knowledgeable & professional? Are they certified by the nations leading roofing manufactures to install their products & roof systems correctly? Are they a member of any roofing associations or dedicated to the roofing trade as a whole. This goes a long way knowing that a company is taking the extra mile to make sure that they are giving "YOU" the knowledge and time you deserve. This is "YOUR" investment, "YOUR" roof & "YOUR" home so it is a contractors job to give you the time, workmanship & professionalism needed to protect "YOUR" biggest asset.

5. Have they provided you a list of referrals or references from previous jobs? This can get tricky so be careful. Ask for the most recent list of references, meaning jobs sold in the last 3-6 months. Drive by the homes to make sure that they are real references and not just friends or family members vouching. Things have changed a lot in this industry in the past couple of years so the reputation a business had two years ago may not be the same as the last couple of months. 

6. What is the company's workmanship warranty? The typical warranty is a year or more. Longer warranties are not necessarily more valuable than shorter warranties. Any good roofer will warrant his workmanship and this comes down to trust more than anything! Do you trust who you are dealing with? That is the most important question to ask yourself, and your list of references they have provided you. This will go a long way, and a company that cares about their future, will care most about making sure that their customers are always given the best workmanship they can give. A successful company is one that builds their customer base on referrals!! A warranty is only as good as the contractor & if they are no longer in business next year when you really need them, what good does that do for you?

Roofwerks hopes this helps you make the right decision! Please do your homework before you decide & do not get stuck on the price! Professional NC Roofing Contractors should always be fairly close in price so if you get an estimate that seems way too low or high, you need to start asking yourself why. We have seen too many homeowners call us after the fact and they have lost thousands of dollars. Choose a contractor that you "TRUST" and look up their credentials. We are here to help you, not hurt you so just remember that & always ask these questions!!!!

Roof repair & maintenance

Roofwerks offers full service roofing repair & maintenance. We service all types of roofing materials on both residential & commercial properties.


We service:

Asphalt Shingles & Asphalt Roof Systems

Metal Roofing

Slate Roofs

Tile Roofing

Rubber Roofs

TPO

Built-up Roofing


Gutter & Downspout Cleaning:

Have your gutters & downspouts cleaned

Roof Inspections:

Most home inspectors do not adequately check the roof. Only licensed Roofing Contractors like Roofwerks are qualified to inspect the most vulnerable part of your home.

Annual Maintenance Program "Roof Protection Plan"

Includes gutter cleaning, minor roof repairs such as cracked flashing boots, nail pops, lifted shingles, & a detailed report on any major roof repair items that may be necessary. This plan is perfect for the concerned homeowner, townhome community, or commercial property owner looking to maximize their investment by prolonging the life of the roof & preventing costly damage.

Emergency Service Roofing Repairs! Call Roofwerks now!!!

Roofwerks can help with your emergency service Roof Repairs. We service Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay Varina, Clayton, Wake Forest, Knightdale, Wendell, Zebulon, Durham, Hillsboro, Chapel Hill, Pittsboro, & ALL surrounding areas.
Storms can cause major devastation to homeowners so make sure your Roof is ready to weather any storm! Roofwerks offers full service repairs for any type roofing so call us at (919) 852-2660 today for your free estimate!

What's in a roof?

Here's a list of roofing terms to help you better understand the components of a roof system:

Dormer:  A vertical window set into and projecting from the slope of a pitched roof.

Ridge:  The top of the roof formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.

Ridge Vent: Vent located on the ridge of a sloped roof to provide air exhaust.

Soffit: The underside area below the eave of a roof.

Soffit Vent: Vents located below the eaves to provide air intake.

Valley: Internal angle fromed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.

Eave: The horizontal, lower edge of a sloped roof.

Gable/Rake Edge: The inclined, outside edge of a sloped roof plane.

Step Flashing: Base flashing application where 90* pieces of metal are installed where a roof plane meets a vertical surface.

Counter Flashing: Flashing metal attached to a vertical surface to prevent water from getting behind step flashing. Attached with reglets sawn into masonry joints when attached to masonry walls.

Cricket: A peaked saddle construction at the back of a chimney to deflect water around the chimney.

Pipe Collar: A flange placed over a vent pipe to seal roof around a roof penetration.

For more information check us out on the web at www.Roofwerks.com

Great article! Homeowners should always do their research. Honest & Professional contractors will stand out from the rest!

Hiring a Roofer for Your Roof Replacement


by Marcus Pickett



Is it time to replace your roof? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the process of choosing both a new roof and a contractor for the job? Don't fret. Here are the steps you should take to ensure that you get the most cost-effective roofing for your budget as well as the most reliable roofer in your area.







1. Research Roofing and Local Roofers

Too many homeowners immediately start calling roofers without the least idea of the choices involved or what to look for in a roofing company. Some homeowners even cold-call roofers from the phone book. You need to start your roofing project by familiarizing yourself with basic roofing considerations. You don't need to become a certified roofer. What you should do is make a list of informed questions to ask prospective roofing contractors. Asking the questions below will help you learn which roof is best for your home and will also help you to identify contractors with whom you can easily communicate.



Part of your research should also focus on the pros and cons for various roofing systems, such as composite roofing, metal roofing, and tile roofing. To read more about types of roofing systems, read this article about Roofing System Types. Finally, look for useful details, tips, and common problems associated with residential roofing. Know how attic ventilation helps prevent ice dams. Know that metal sheet roofing is easier and cheaper to install, but is also more vulnerable to thermal shock than metal tile roofing. You should also find out everything you can about your old roof. When was it installed? What type of roofing surface, pitch, ventilation, and insulation does it have? Knowledge is power.



Initial Questions to Ask Local Roofers

•What roofing systems work well in our local climate? Why?

•What roofing system would you choose for your home? Why?

•Which roofing systems have the greatest potential to save money on monthly utility bills without huge installation costs?

•What are some of the latest roofing innovations? Do you think these new products are trustworthy over the long run?

•How many roofs have you installed in this area in the last two years? Can you point these houses out to me?

2. Solicit Estimates

These are just a few of the possible questions you might ask roofers during preliminary phone conversations or face-to-face when you are soliciting estimates. By the time you solicit estimates, you should have a pretty good idea of the kind of new roof you want. This way, you can make an apples-to-apples comparison of different estimates. Conventional wisdom suggests that you get at least three estimates.



Guidelines for Soliciting and Reviewing Estimates

•Be wary of estimates that are significantly higher or lower than the rest. Go back and ask questions to determine the cause of this discrepancy.

•Don't assume that the lowest bid offers inferior quality or that the highest bid means superior quality. If you can't identify which contractors are offering the best overall value, you need to do more research, talk to more previous customers, and ask more questions.

•This is your last chance to change your mind. Don't be afraid to solicit more estimates for different roofing systems.

3. Choose a Contractor, Sign a Service Contract

Once you've had a chance to talk to each of your prospective roofers, it's time to review the estimates and sign a service contract. Sometimes the right answer will jump out at you - one contractor in particular seemed to share your roofing vision, philosophy, and budgetary constraints. Often, two contractors seem to make comparable offers with impeccable credentials. In this case, you may need to take a second look and split hairs. Just don't underestimate the importance communication; finding a contractor who is easy to communicate with is valuable in the long run. And don't just read, but make sure you clearly understand the implications of the service contract.



Items a Service Contract Should Address

•The length and terms of the labor warranty. Roofing manufacturers generally include product warranties, but these warranties may not mean much if problems result from the installation. A typical labor warranty may last two years, but you should make sure the product warranty will remain valid after the labor warranty has expired.

•A payment schedule. Never pay for the entire project upfront. Generally speaking, payment should occur in installments and parallel the work as it is being completed. A new roof can cost anywhere from $3,000 to more than $30,000.

•A timeline. Weather permitting, the service contract should lay out a schedule for the project. In particular, make sure the roofer is responsible for any damage that occurs during the project. A reputable company should have means to protect your home while the roof is being installed. The average time to complete a roof installation is one week for asphalt shingles and two weeks for more high-end roofing.

-- Marcus Pickett is a senior home improvement writer with ServiceMagic.com. He has written more than 1200 articles on managing your home and home improvement trends.

Roofwerks wants you to know that it's time to clean your gutters!!

If your gutters are not cleaned properly, it can lead to many problems such as rotten fascia, rotten plywood, deterioration of shingles & much more! Debris will clog your gutters & downspouts causing your water run off to back up & flow in places that could potentially damage your homes exterior. You should clean your gutters & remove any debris on your roof at least twice a year.

Roofwerks cares about our customers & we take pride in giving you the best advice to help protect your roof's life.

Call Roofwerks today at (919) 852-2660 & ask about our:

Annual Maintenance Program “Roof Protection Plan”


This includes gutter cleaning, minor roof repairs, such as cracked flashing boots, nail pops, lifted shingles, and a detailed report on any major roof repair items that may be necessary. This plan is perfect for the concerned homeowner, townhome community, or commercial property owner looking to maximize their investment by prolonging the life of the roof and preventing costly damage.

Roofwerks doesn't just do Roofs!

Roofwerks not only offers quality roofs, we also install Green Friendly Sun Tunnels, other roofing accessories & products such as:

Windows*Doors*Siding*Copper Accents*Copper Gutters*Attic Insulation*Skylights & Chimney Caps

Call us today for a free estimate at (919) 852-2660. Let Roofwerks assist you with your most important home improvements!!!