When choosing a roofing company in Massachusetts it is unbelievably important to do your due diligence. Roofing companies are notorious for shortcuts and various “cost saving” corners they will cut to save money on their bottom line.
Roofers Personal Warranties Are Useless
I would recommend always hiring a roofing contractor that has a warranty backed by the manufacturer. I firmly believe that companies who do not have warranties backed by the manufacturer provide a useless warranty. If I had a dollar for every roofing company that has gone out of business in Massachusetts in the last ten years, I would be a rich man. If a company goes out of business, what good is their warranty? If a manufacturer is willing to stand behind the installer, you can be sure that they are laying down your roof properly.
Shortcut Artists are Criminals
I feel that a roofing company taking short cuts on your roof is no better than a criminal. This is because they are promising you one thing, knowing full well that you will not typically see what is under the shingles and will cut corners to save a buck.
Roof Layovers Are a Bad Idea
One common shortcut that happens every day in Massachusetts is a layover of the existing roof. Layovers do not solve any problems and will usually last a quarter of the time as correctly installed roof.
Skipping the Underlayment
Another common shortcut with roofers in Massachusetts is not placing underlayment on the roof decking. To go along with this theme is roofers that will skimp out on underlayment or use cheaper alternatives for underlay. The underlayment is an essential component of a proper roof system. The proper underlay adds the extra protection your roof needs between the shingles and roof decking.
Roof Ventilation is Key
Ventilation is also a common shortcut for roofers in Massachusetts. Some roofers will under ventilate, use incorrect ventilation, or use cheaper ventilating products. When ventilation is not installed correctly, it can cause your house to generate too much heat and moisture. This can cause the wood on your roof to buckle and form mold. Improper ventilation is also a major cause of ice dams on a roof.
Roofing Contractor Recommendations
I recommend asking potential roofers lots of questions; ask for referrals, proof of insurance, and request a full scope of their intended work. A roof is a very large investment and I would hate to see any customer get3 ripped off by a company taking short cuts.
Andy Egdahl is a Roofing Specialist for United Home Experts.
Comments
Rather than basing the decision on a warranty, I would suggest consumers do their part to ensure they are hiring a professional who will do the job correctly to begin with. If the roofer does his job correctly you won’t need any warranty.