As just a side note, I have found several websites with awesome information on Roofing. But most importantly, I have found a site that is a blog for people with questions! I haven't tried writing in a question yet, as my journey on getting a roof is only beginning, but I know I can use it in the future as I figure out all the ins and outs of roofing.
Here is a list of a few more useful roofing sites.
The following three sites are all great references for roofing answers. One even provided me with questions that I will be sure to ask the Contractors!
http://www.essortment.com/all/roofingcostest_rdvd.htm
http://www.danzcustomhomes.com/roofing_faq.html
http://remodelhomeguide.com/roof-replacements/factors-to-consider.html?gclid=CPDu8KW_65UCFRoSFQodbiEmgA
This site is a little different from the others as it has answers to a specific question I have about the difference between architectural shingles and Standard shingles. From what I can tell, Arch. Shingles are by far the better bet, even though they cost more.
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Roofing-1598/Standard-shingles-vs-architectural.htm
This site is the Blog all about roofing. I can't wait to try it!
http://homeaddition.blogspot.com/2006/04/roofing-qa-new-roof-and-re-roofing.html
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Wiggling/Evaluating
From the information I have so far collected, I think I am on the right track to determining the best roofer for our home. It is funny. In our house, I tend to be the researcher. What I mean by this is whether it is finding the best phone company to use for our cell service, finding the right insurance company for our car, or even scoping out the best home in NWI, I tend to be the info gatherer. Then I present my findings to Tim, my husband, who throws in his two cents, then we make our decisions.
While it is just an observation, I find it interesting that the English major is the one deciding who to hire to fix the roof, and not the engineer that has a background in home construction. Maybe it is because he deals with things like this everyday, and it is easier to let me do the grunt work of finding the information...
So, as I said in an earlier blog, I have called 5 roofing contractors, and they will be coming out in the next week to present me with their estimates. I made sure that at least 3 of these contractors came with references. In the case of two, I can see the work they did on my neighbors houses as proof of their quality.
While I haven't gotten any estimates in yet, I am optimistic that they will both provide me with the answers I am looking for and more questions that I can ask.
I think that my focus for this project is less about the actual numbers and answers i need for installing a roof, and more about knowing what to ask when I speak with each of the roofing contractors. They are the ones with the answers to my questions on cost and what product they have available.
However, from my inquiries so far, I believe that a complete tear-off and a replacement with architectural shingles is the way to go. Between the people that I have talked to, the websites I have visited, and the brief discussions I have had with sevearl contractors, I believe this is the best strategy for us. As Callison states in the Blue Book, "reflection on collected information is a test." It allows me, the inquirer, to think about the value of all the bits of data I have collected, and "to make decisions on assimilating or discarding" that data. Well I have most certainly been doing some discarding and some keeping of the infor I havce gathered.
For instance, my mom said wen I first began my inquiry that she thought we should attepmt to do a second layer on the roof; her reasoning being that it would be less costly. But after talking with contractors and co-workers, I realized that this was a bad idea. Did you know most contractors do Not warranty a second layer roof, and that it cuts the roofs lifetime in half! Sure enough, not even two days later, my mom called back and said she had talked ot my dad, and he said that doing a second layer is not a great idea, and to do a tear-off.
My biggest issue is my source. A lot of the info I am gathering is admittedly from people and their personal experiences. SO I have to find what credentials they have. Makes it more tricky, but it is worth the bonus conversations!
While it is just an observation, I find it interesting that the English major is the one deciding who to hire to fix the roof, and not the engineer that has a background in home construction. Maybe it is because he deals with things like this everyday, and it is easier to let me do the grunt work of finding the information...
So, as I said in an earlier blog, I have called 5 roofing contractors, and they will be coming out in the next week to present me with their estimates. I made sure that at least 3 of these contractors came with references. In the case of two, I can see the work they did on my neighbors houses as proof of their quality.
While I haven't gotten any estimates in yet, I am optimistic that they will both provide me with the answers I am looking for and more questions that I can ask.
I think that my focus for this project is less about the actual numbers and answers i need for installing a roof, and more about knowing what to ask when I speak with each of the roofing contractors. They are the ones with the answers to my questions on cost and what product they have available.
However, from my inquiries so far, I believe that a complete tear-off and a replacement with architectural shingles is the way to go. Between the people that I have talked to, the websites I have visited, and the brief discussions I have had with sevearl contractors, I believe this is the best strategy for us. As Callison states in the Blue Book, "reflection on collected information is a test." It allows me, the inquirer, to think about the value of all the bits of data I have collected, and "to make decisions on assimilating or discarding" that data. Well I have most certainly been doing some discarding and some keeping of the infor I havce gathered.
For instance, my mom said wen I first began my inquiry that she thought we should attepmt to do a second layer on the roof; her reasoning being that it would be less costly. But after talking with contractors and co-workers, I realized that this was a bad idea. Did you know most contractors do Not warranty a second layer roof, and that it cuts the roofs lifetime in half! Sure enough, not even two days later, my mom called back and said she had talked ot my dad, and he said that doing a second layer is not a great idea, and to do a tear-off.
My biggest issue is my source. A lot of the info I am gathering is admittedly from people and their personal experiences. SO I have to find what credentials they have. Makes it more tricky, but it is worth the bonus conversations!
Webbing/searching for answers and information
Okay, down to the nitty gritty. I have contacted 5 roofing companies in Valparaiso that offer free estimates for roofing. Two of the roofers were recommended by my next door neighbors, and the one other was recommended by my co-workers husband(the home builder). The other two were random choices from the phone book that had ads stating that they were licenced, bonded and insured, and offered three estimates. Why 5 companies do you ask? Well, in trying to learn more about the steps to tkae in hiring a roofer, I came across a very useful website through Google. http://www.essortment.com/all/roofingcostest_rdvd.htm
This website gives all sorts of pointers on how to get the best estimate for a new roof.
It also gave me some idea of what questions the contractors would ask when they come out to give me an estimate.
I also spoke with parents and coworkers about whether to do a complete tear-off or a second layer(look at me with all the roofing terminology!). I found out from my co-workers husband that the complete tear-off is a must if you are working with a previous roof that is already 20 years old.
The next important step is to figure out how much roof we really have. While the afore mentioned website didn't specify this, my home construction reference said that this is good because it will help you make sure the roofing companies are accurate and on the up and up.
I must say that this topic I have chosen has certainly allowed me to get to know my co-workers better. I am rather new at this facility, and it is good to get to met new people, especially my supervisors, throught this informal process of inquiry.
My other resource so far was the phone book and the online yellow pages. While I already had the first three contacts through verbal discussions with my neighbors, the yellow pages gave me the other two contacts. These were pretty much randoms, and chances are I won't use them, but this extra information gathering can't hurt!
This website gives all sorts of pointers on how to get the best estimate for a new roof.
It also gave me some idea of what questions the contractors would ask when they come out to give me an estimate.
I also spoke with parents and coworkers about whether to do a complete tear-off or a second layer(look at me with all the roofing terminology!). I found out from my co-workers husband that the complete tear-off is a must if you are working with a previous roof that is already 20 years old.
The next important step is to figure out how much roof we really have. While the afore mentioned website didn't specify this, my home construction reference said that this is good because it will help you make sure the roofing companies are accurate and on the up and up.
I must say that this topic I have chosen has certainly allowed me to get to know my co-workers better. I am rather new at this facility, and it is good to get to met new people, especially my supervisors, throught this informal process of inquiry.
My other resource so far was the phone book and the online yellow pages. While I already had the first three contacts through verbal discussions with my neighbors, the yellow pages gave me the other two contacts. These were pretty much randoms, and chances are I won't use them, but this extra information gathering can't hurt!
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