How to Choose Roof Restoration Services: What You Need to Know

Did you know that in the U.S., reroofing contributes 6 to 7 million tons of waste annually? On top of that is the 5% to 10% of waste that roof shingle manufacturers generate.

It’s true that most roof tear-offs, like metal, rubber, shingles, and tiles, are recyclable. Despite that, however, many don’t undergo proper collection and recycling.

What’s more, some property owners commit the mistake of replacing their roofs prematurely. It’s a costly blunder that generates more waste and also wastes money.

To avoid all that, you may want to choose roof restoration services instead. They’re lower-cost alternatives to replacements and don’t generate as much waste. Moreover, they can extend the life of existing roofs for at least half a decade or so.

To that end, we created this guide on choosing the right people for a roof restoration job. So keep reading, as it can help ensure you work only with trustworthy professionals.

Understand What Roof Restoration Entails

Roof restoration brings an existing roof back to a like-new condition. It doesn’t require removing the old system because its goal is to preserve it. So, unlike a reroofing or replacement job, restoration often doesn’t involve tear-offs.

However, there are some cases where a replacement may be necessary, such as if the roof has a damaged section. In that case, the restoration would involve removing and replacing the compromised area.

Aside from repairs, restorations also involve thoroughly cleaning the entire roof. The final step is to apply protective coats and sealants in a color of your choice.

Know Your State’s Contractor Licensure Requirements

Contractor licensure is a process that validates a professional’s competency and experience. After all, one can only apply for a license after gaining years of training and supervised work. Moreover, applicants must pass competency exams before they can get licensed.

For that reason, many states require roofing contractors to carry a license. California is one of them. Here, roofers performing a job valued at $500 or higher must have a C-39 Roofing Contractor license.

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, and Hawaii are some other states requiring roofing contractor licensure.

Moreover, some states like Alabama and Arizona distinguish residential from commercial contractors. If you live in one of these states, you must work with a residential roofer for your home’s roof restoration job. In contrast, you must hire a licensed commercial contractor if the work is for your place of business.

In any case, hiring a licensed roof restoration service provider isn’t just about the law. It’s also for your financial security.

After all, most, if not all, unlicensed parties don’t have insurance, either. At the very least, the quality of their work rarely matches that of licensed contractors.

Validate Each Roofer’s Insurance Policies

Having valid insurance is automatically mandatory in states requiring a roofing contractor license. Otherwise, a contractor’s license may become suspended or revoked. So, that’s another reason you want to check a roofer’s license if you live in one of these states.

But what if you’re in a state without licensing laws?

In that case, ask your prospective options for roofing companies about their insurance. At the very least, they must have general liability and worker’s compensation coverage. They must also be ready and willing to provide you with a copy of these policies.

General liability insurance protects you, the homeowner, from property damage liabilities. For example, in the unlikely event that one of the workers breaks your gutters, you don’t have to pay for its repairs. However, you’d shoulder the repair costs if an uninsured party causes such an incident.

On the other hand, worker’s comp covers workers who may get injured while working on your roof. They may be professionals, but they may still get into an accident that causes them harm. Indeed, job injuries are prevalent; over two million occur in the U.S. every year.

That said, please make sure you choose an insured roofing restoration company. At the same time, you must confirm the validity of their policies by calling their insurer. Their insurance provider can tell you if they’re valid and up-to-date.

Schedule Free Pre-Restoration Inspections

According to the folks at Master Roofing, an inspection is a must to determine the type of work a roof needs. After all, a thorough examination is the only way roofers can confirm the extent and scope of the work they must do. Only after they’ve performed this step can they provide a written, transparent estimate.

Fortunately, pre-work inspections are often free and non-obligatory. The latter means you don’t have to hire a roofing company just because they checked your roof. You can still have other roofers inspect your roof and provide their quotes.

You can get a free inspection by booking a date with an insured roofing company. However, it’s best to be present on that day, as this lets you observe the restoration team’s work processes. For example, you can see how quickly they work, if they use safety gear, and if they are doing any work. 

You can then use those observations to help you further narrow down your list of prospects. For instance, you don’t want to work with a company whose roofers don’t use safety helmets or harnesses. If they don’t care about their safety, they may also not be careful with your property.

Ask Away

Another good reason to be on-site during the inspection is so that you can interview the roofers. Use it as an opportunity to ascertain their reliability and work ethics.

Some of the most crucial questions you should ask include:

• Do you still recommend restoration, or do you think I should replace my roof?
• What restorative cleaning steps and equipment do you use?
• What roof coating will you put on my roof, and why?
• Who will perform the restoration job, you or subcontractors?
• Can I visit one of your ongoing restoration jobs?

The first question is of utmost importance, as it can help you gauge a roofer’s credibility. A credible and honest contractor will tell you straight up the pros and cons of both options.

By contrast, those more concerned with profits are sure to push replacements. Moreover, they might tell you that you need a new roof, even if the existing one is only ten years old. 

Evaluate Your Roof Restoration Quotes

It’s wise to get quotes from at least three insured roofing companies. Doing so provides you with a way to compare project rates and even learn about roof materials. In addition, it can give you a better picture of how much you need to set aside for your roof restoration budget.

Roof restoration quotes from reputable companies come in easy-to-digest, organized documents. For example, they include all pertinent details, including labor costs and needed materials. They also break down the list of materials based on their type and price.

In addition, quotes include start and finish dates, necessary permits, clean-up, and disposal. All these details must be in writing; if something is missing, point it out to the contractor. It might only be an honest mistake; if so, they should be willing to revise the document.

Get the Skinny on the Warranty

Roof restorations usually come with two warranties: manufacturers’ and service warranties.

A manufacturer’s warranty applies to any new primary product used during the process. For example, let’s say the roofers had to replace a section of your roof with new tiles. In that case, you should get a manufacturer’s warranty for the replacement tiles.

Likewise, your new roof coating should come with a manufacturer’s warranty. However, the length depends on the specific product used; it can range from 10 to 20 years.

On the other hand, a service warranty is for the restoration job itself. It covers costs related to any problem that may arise as a direct result of the restoration. So, for example, if the roof coat fails due to installation errors, this warranty should kick in.

Most roof restoration companies offer at least 5-year service warranties. Others provide up to 10 years or, sometimes, even longer.

Either way, please make sure you choose a roof restoration company that offers both. Moreover, ask them about the transferability of the warranties. In many cases, they should allow for the transfer of the coverage at least once.

You want transferable warranties if you plan to sell your home in a few years. You can then use them as a selling point to attract buyers.

That’s How to Choose Roof Restoration Services

And there you have it, the ultimate guide that can help you choose roof restoration services. Now you know it’s best to always work with licensed or, at the very least, fully insured contractors. You also learned they should include a free thorough pre-restoration inspection and warranties.

So, why not begin your search for local providers of top-quality roof restoration jobs? The sooner you do, the sooner you can extend your existing roof’s life.

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