How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Purchasing a Roof
How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Purchasing a Roof
Posted on May 13, 2020
HOW TO AVOID COMMON MISTAKES WHEN PURCHASING A ROOF
You have a lot of choices to make when purchasing a new roof for your home.
As with any big decision that requires a lot of choices, the likelihood for mistakes is high.
Plus, since it’s a decision that homeowners only make a few times in their lives, the chances for making a bad decision increase exponentially.
The roofing industry has not done itself or its customers any favors! Homeowners report higher instances of fraud, scams and poor craftsmanship when purchasing a roof than with any other home service.
Since purchasing a new roof is a complex process that requires big decisions, and since there is a high percentage of unscrupulous roofing companies out there, we’re going to give you the biggest mistakes that homeowners make when purchasing a new roof.
BUYING BASED ON PRICE ONLY
The installation of a roof is an extremely complex process that requires a high level of skill in order to do it successfully. Therefore, shopping exclusively based on price is a dangerous endeavor.
In what world is “lowest price” associated with “best”? Trick question… It’s NOT! We’ve all heard the expression, “you get what you pay for”. That phrase couldn’t be any truer than it is when purchasing a roof.
The reason there are so many homeowners that get ripped off by roofers is because the general public believe “a roof is just a roof – how hard can it be?”. People who believe that will let price dictate their decision, and thus end up with what they paid for. Think of it this way – the only expensive roof is one you have to replace twice.
Check out our other blog articles on what goes into determining the price of a roofing system for more information on how to avoid this mistake.
HIRING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR THAT MAKES A BIG DEAL ABOUT THE BRAND THEY USE
Roofing contractors get duped into thinking that the manufacturer they use is a BIG selling point. You’ll see a lot of ads that local roofing companies run touting the roofing manufacturer that they install. GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Certified, CertainTeed Credentialed BLAH BLAH BLAH. All garbage!
The real differentiating point that separates roofing companies has nothing to do with product, and everything to do with installation method, guarantees, and customer service.
All roofing manufacturers make good products, that’s why brand is meaningless. The most important question regarding product that you need to ask is what the specifications are regarding: hail impact, fire resistance, wind resistance, algae protection, and environmental impact (recycled material, etc.).
RELYING ON A MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY
This one goes hand in hand with the last point! Most roofing companies will tell you all about the AMAZING warranty that you will get if they win the job, but they neglect to tell you what a warranty is really in place for. So, we’re going to shed some light on that.
A manufacturers warranty is in place to protect the company from the homeowner! A warranty is a legal description of the maximum liability that a company faces should the product they made fail prematurely due to defect.
It has NOTHING TO DO with protecting you!
That’s why, the best thing to do is to find a company that has a GUARANTEE, not a WARRANTY.
A guarantee is in place to protect the CUSTOMER from the COMPANY.
In the event that a roof installed by a company with a guarantee of performance fails prematurely, the homeowner is fully covered.
During the roofing consultation, make sure you ask, “DO YOU HAVE A WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE?”
Beware if they reply, “Oh, let me tell you about the manufacturer’s warranty…”
INSTALLING THE ROOFING SYSTEM YOURSELF
Are you a professional roofer? Then why would you think you should install a roof yourself? The fact that people do is proof that most people believe, “a roof is just a roof”. Why don’t we have the same feelings about electrical work, framing a house, HVAC, plumbing, or septic tank installation? That’s because we all understand that those disciplines require a high level of skill and certification.
I’ve got news for you! Roofing properly requires the same level of skill and certification as all of the other trades listed. Heck, more so perhaps. Not only does installing a roof require technical ability, but it also requires an artistic eye for detail and beauty. We all believe, “a roof is just a roof”, until we see one installed improperly! Then, it’s glaringly obvious!
