You don’t want to trust just any Metal Roof Contractor with your roof in Austin, TX. After all, your roof is your first line of protection and needs to be able to handle all sorts of weather and conditions. Additionally, roof installation has a direct impact on the overall performance and longevity of your roof. Fortunately, there are some key things to consider when choosing the right metal roof contractor, that will help avoid any surprises or issues when getting your metal roof installed.
Metal Roof Research
A municipality or homeowners association (HOA) might have rules or restrictions when it comes to metal roofs. In some instances, they may not be allowed at all. This is commonly due to metal roofing being thought of as industrial or not fitting in with the overall aesthetic of the neighborhood. When it comes to municipalities, this could be because of concerns about glare. In either case, you’d obviously need to choose a different material.
If you’re able to install a metal roof, you still need to determine whether you’re replacing or roofing over. You can tear off the old roof and have it replaced with a metal roof over it, or you can place the new metal roof over your existing roof. Depending on your municipality and local codes, you could have one or more roofs over the existing one. Of course, not all municipalities allow this. Your local contractor should be able to help you figure this out, but you can always check for yourself.
There are pros and cons to each. Tearing off the existing roof and replacing it outright usually demands more labor and may up the cost, but many people think it looks nicer. On the other hand, installing roofing over an existing roof is typically faster and easier, so you might save money in the process. Both are viable options, but you have to consider what your HOA and your municipality allow.
Choose the Best Metal Roof Contractor
Cost isn’t the best way to choose a contractor. Most roofing contractors try to be competitive, so costs often don’t vary as much as you may think. Instead, ask a few key questions and check out the company’s reputation. Are they licensed roofing contractors? Can they give you references? How long have they been in operation? Are they bonded and insured? You can also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any outstanding complaints against them.
Get Contractor Bids
Always get multiple bids but remember that the lowest price isn’t always the best deal. Every bid should include the full scope of work, cost of materials, and labor costs. Ideally, this should all be itemized and broken down, so you can see the way it was calculated and review it yourself. Be wary of any bid that doesn’t have key information.
Review the Warranty
The best contractors always back their work. As far as best practices are concerned, this is perhaps the best indicator of a reliable and professional roofing contractor. Does the warranty only cover materials? Will it also cover labor? How long does it last? Who is the warranty through? You should also have the contact information to follow up on the warranty.
As you can see, both roof installation and metal roof repair in Austin, TX, can vary considerably in terms of quality and cost. Speak with Stevan Buren Roofing at (817) 558-6997 to learn more or to get a quote.