Step 1 – Organize your Ideas

Your goal is to get several estimates or bids that are all based on the same scope of work; apples to apples if you will. You have to be able to provide the Contractor with enough information so they can prepare an estimate that meets your goals and you must provide each Contractor with the same scope of work. If not, the pricing that you get from each Contractor will be very difficult to interpret which could slow you down and ultimately cost you more money. The last thing you want is a Contractor that is going to “Change Order” you until your pocket book has dried up. So, try to finalize as many of the details as possible

Step 2 – Schedule Meetings with Several Contractors

During your meetings with each Contractor, hand over your information that you compiled and walk the job with each of them. Be prepared to answer numerous questions. Some will be easy to answer and others may need some additional research on your part. Either way, try to stick with your initial scope of work and do not deviate. You want the bids to be apples to apples and changing the scope during your meeting with the Contractor will only make it more difficult for you to interpret the figures on each bid. You can always adjust the scope after the estimates are gathered and you have narrowed down the potential Contractors.

Step 3 – Review & Compare each Bid

Once you have established that each estimate is for the same scope of work, let’s now look at each price. When it comes to remodeling, the saying “You get what you pay for” is a good guideline but it definitely doesn’t mean that a more expensive bid is your best choice. For example, you could have (2) bids that are somewhat higher than your budget and a lower bid that may be a little less than your budget. Most of us would automatically consider the lowest estimate initially but we have to figure out why that Contractor’s bid is much lower than the other two. Below are some questions you need to ask each bidder.

- Did the Contractor omit a portion of the scope of work? If so, have them revise the estimate.
- Does the Estimate include having the Contractor prepare architectural drawings, if necessary?
- Are they using lesser quality materials (paint, cabinets, tile, etc.)?
- How long will it take to complete the work?
- Are they insured with a General Liability policy?
- Can they provide a minimum of 5 to 10 references from previous projects?
- Are permits necessary and if so, is the cost included in the estimate?
- Is the Contractor willing to let you visit several of their jobs?
- What type of Warranty does the Contractor provide?

Step 4 – Select your Contractor

After reviewing all estimates, it’s time to narrow down your selections to one or two Contractors. Call their references to see how well they did on previous projects. Did they finish on time? Ask their references about the quality of work and if they would recommend them. Did they keep a clean and safe job-site?

Step 5 – Execute the written Contract

The following items need to be included in the written Contract:

- Scope of Work
- Design Selections
- If using Architectural Drawings, they need to referenced in the Contract
- Total Dollar Amount of Work
- Construction Schedule
- Detailed Explanation of the Contractor’s Warranty
- Payment Draw Schedule

Choosing the right roofing contractor for your project can be complicated and time-consuming, but a little forethought and research will make the process much smoother. Follow these tips for choosing the right person for the job.

• Before you even call a company, ask relatives, friends, and co-workers if they have recently hired a roofing company.  You will be surprised how many people will have either recently had a roofing job done or know of someone who has, i.e. a neighbor or relative of their.
• When you call a company to request an estimate, consider how your inquiry was handled.  If you are not satisfied with how you were treated initially, imagine how you will be cared for if you used their services and had to call back with a problem.
• Be sure your contractor is licensed. All contractors in the state of California are required to have a license number issued by the Contractors State License Board. Make sure that the contractor is insured and licensed. Be certain he carries either “Workers Compensation” or “General Liability” Insurance.
• Management, sales and office staff -
  Be sure your roofing contractor has the appropriate support staff to keep you informed. An administrative team and customer service person are a must. Sales staff should be trained and up to date on the latest technologies, they need to fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of the products they are trying to sell. The sales people need to know what is the best solution for re-roofing or repairing your roof. The very best sales people are those who have been applicators themselves.
• Insist that contractors come to the site to quote prices and make sure all roofing contractors are bidding on the same specifications. Always get a written quote with a materials list.
• It is very important to make sure that everything is in writing! This is the best way to prevent problems before they even begin. The contract protects you and the contractor by including everything you have both agreed upon. If everything is spelled out, you are protected against unnecessary change orders.
• Are you required to pay a down payment? If you are, the down payment should never be more than the legal percentage allowed in your state. In California the maximum deposit is not to be more than 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less. The payment schedule varies according to the size and scope of the project, but make sure it is spelled out in the contract. The final payment should be held back until all work is completed to your satisfaction.
• Low Bids-Are they really a good thing?
  Finally, beware of the low bid. If there is more than a 15% disparity between the lowest and the next lowest bid, ask the lowest bidder to look over their bid sheet for possible errors. If it looks too good to be true it probably is. There is a saying among roofers on large or complex jobs that whoever made the biggest mistake will get the job.
• Although the bottom line is important, never compare estimates only by the overall cost to you. If you are putting in a new roof it should be free of major repairs for at least twenty five years.
  Trust your instincts.  You should never base your decision on price alone.

Follow  these 9 tips and you have good chances of a great experience with your roofing contractor.

Here are some general tips to make sure your roof is in good shape and warning signs to know when it is time to replace them:

• After heavy storms, check the attic for water stains and weak shingles.
• If you have asphalt shingles, they should be replaced when the mineral granules along the top surface disappear.
• Bare Spots – This is when the surface of the shingles on your roof has worn off. The result is spots of missing shingles and, a lot of times, an accumulation of granules in your gutters.
• When you start to see black felt, call your local professional and get the shingles replaced.
• Check for holes in your gutters. If you install an antenna on your roof, make sure to seal any holes you may have made.
• Curling – This is when the corners of your shingles curl upward. Curling makes your roof highly susceptible to wind damage as well as ice. This usually comes from moisture build-ups in the attic of older homes.
• Make sure your gutters are sloping correctly and clear of leaves and trash.
• Broken Shingles – This can be caused by strong winds and snow. When you have broken shingles, your roof may develop obvious leaks.
• Clawing – This is when your shingles curl in a downward motion. Clawing can make your roof highly susceptible to strong storm conditions such as wind, ice and hail.
• Buckling – This is recognizable by waviness in the shingles. There will usually be a line of buckling going up the roof slope. Bucking causes tabs to be exposed and makes it easy for them to be ripped off by winds. This is often caused by poor ventilation in the attic.

Some things to consider when thinking about installing a new roof:

• How many layers of shingles are currently on your roof? (three is generally the maximum number allowed due to weight).
• Does your roof need to be stripped or just recovered? This can depend on the age, condition and number of layers of shingles. Obtain several opinions before you make your decision.
• What is the condition of the sheathing/decking? Will you need to replace any rotten or damaged sections?
• Should you use a waterproof membrane underlayment such as ice and watershield?
  If you are stripping the existing roofing material, what are the disposal regulations/fees?

Many do it yourselfers pride themselves in their handiwork, you can just see their garages filled to the brim with tools for those all around jobs. But ask any of them, installing roofs or repairing them is an unexciting and trying job, but someone has got to do it. When it comes to home protection against nature’s elements, the roof is one of the most important aspects.

A roof with a leak or a hole can cause irreparable and immeasurable damage and harm to your furniture and appliances and don’t forget your carpeting and paint, all of these in just a matter of a short time.

The roof of your house is an essential part of your home; they provide protection from the rain, snow, sleet, hail, and the sun’s light and heat. To fully do this, the roof must be sealed tight against water and such.

Hire a professional. Most homeowners feel that if they do the work themselves, they will save money, this isn’t necessarily so. With simple projects you may be able to do the work yourself without running into any major problems but the truth of the matter is that hiring a professional will save you time and money in the long run.

Roofs should be tough and durable, yet they must be versatile enough to handle all kinds of weather and any factor brought upon by the location of your home. It is ideal that the roof be fire resistant.
There are many kinds of roof, differentiating in design, materials used and others. Usually, a roof consists of the roofing material used for the main cover, the frame where the will be attached, and other aspects and components.