Why You Should Hire a Professional to Fix Your Roof

When it comes to roofing a home, the cost of materials and labor can be a significant financial undertaking, so it crosses many homeowners’ minds to take a crack at fixing the issues themselves. While doing the job yourself might save you money in labor costs, there are many other costs you might not realize come with fixing a roof, and they’re not what you think.

In this article, we’ll explain why it will actually cost you much less to hire a professional instead of attempting to fix your own roof.

Expert Knowledge in Roof Assessment

The first step to fixing a roof is to effectively assess the roof for damage and to understand the scope of the project at hand. You may have noticed some missing shingles during your annual roof inspection or noticed a leak after a storm. If you’ve never replaced your roof before, it’s possible that the roof is reaching the end of its lifespan or you’d like to update the look of your home.

Professional roofers have a depth of knowledge and experience that the average person will not easily achieve, as they will be able to expertly consider:

• How large of an area needs to be replaced?
• Does the underlayment or decking need to be replaced?
• Is there ice or water shielding involved?
• What is the condition of the flashing and vent collars?
• Are there skylights that need to be considered?
• Is there a ridge vent that needs work?
• Are there drip edges to be replaced or installed?

This is only a partial list of some of the considerations for any roofing job. A professional roof installer knows what to look for in an inspection and how to set up the job so that it will be done correctly the first time.

Related Article: How to Perform an Annual Roof Inspection

Prepping and Obtaining the Proper Equipment

Roof repair or replacement may seem pretty simple, but before starting any major home renovation project, there are many steps that you must take before starting the job.

• You must fully understand your local building codes and what they require for your region
• You must be able to correctly produce and prepare the documents and drawings for your permit applications, then apply for the correct permits and permissions from your local government
• You must accurately confirm all calculations for the number of shingles and other materials needed
• You must find and rent or purchase all the necessary materials
• You must learn about your local policies for disposing of construction materials and obtain trash containers or dumpsters for your debris, as well as confirm you have the ability to deliver this debris to the correct disposal location

A professional roofing company like Advance Inc. will not only have the knowledge and experience to properly prepare for a roofing project but also will take care of each step of the process for you from acquiring the proper documentation to disposing of all waste.

Related Articles: Roof Replacement: What to Know Before You Begin

Keep You and Your Family Safe

While any home renovation project comes with dangers, working on your roof is especially risky. If the weather becomes wet or windy during the project, the danger level increases dramatically.

Roof jacks, scaffolding, and toe boards should be used on most roofs. In some cases, safety harnesses are required. Not only are falls from the roof a danger, but falling equipment can hurt people on the ground. There is even the danger of electrocution due to power lines supplying the home.

The average homeowner will not have the equipment on hand to safely do the job, and it would not financially make sense to buy this equipment for a one-time job. In addition, amateur roofers could easily damage assets like equipment stored outdoors, utilities, and landscaping.

Safely Fix Your Roof with Advance, Inc.

We’ve gone over just some of the work that goes into performing a roofing repair or replacement, but there are even more benefits to working with Advance Inc. Not only do we carry our own insurance for every project, but we also warranty every project we perform. In addition, we end every job with our signature Finishing Touches assessment to make sure no detail is left unfinished.

Advance Inc has been improving homes in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey for over 30 years, and our industry-trained technicians are knowledgeable and skilled in ensuring your project is a success. Contact us for a free estimate today!