What is in a Good Roofing Contract

A good contract is the key to avoiding misunderstanding between you and your roofer. If you select a professional who knows his stuff, and you get a clear understanding about the money, and you specify exactly what you want done and what you want it done with, then getting a good roof installation is as easy as falling off the proverbial log. By way of review, make sure your contract contains the following provisions:

1. The existing roof(s) should be torn off so that flashing and decking can be inspected and repaired unless the existing roof is in good enough shape to permit a roof-over and budget concerns dictate that opinion.

2. An adequate ventilation system should be designed and installed if necessary.

3. 30 lb. felt should be laid with simplex nails if budget permits. Otherwise, 15 lb. felt should be applied. In no case should a roof be applied without felt.

4. The roof should be installed to manufacturer’s specs. Fiberglass shingles have specs on the packaging.

5. Flashing details on chimneys, crickets (a little structure that diverts water to each side of the chimney), eaves, sidewalls, headwalls, vent stacks, and so on should be applied to industry standards with 26 gauge galvanized or paint grip metal. New boots should be installed on vents. These measures are critical for a leak-proof roof. A professional roofer can determine if existing flashings are adequate.

6. Your roof and grounds should be clean and neat at the end of each day. A magnetic nail pick-up should be used.

7. Costs should be specified for repairing unanticipated damage like rotted decking or fascia.

8. You should be given the name of your roofer’s insurance carrier so that you can verify Worker’s Compensation and General Liability insurance. THIS IS A VITAL PRECAUTION, Y'AL!!!.

9. A THOROUGH water test and through cleaning should sew up a good job and a happy you.

When you get a proposal from a professional it should specify in great detail the problems that exist in your roofing system and exactly how they will be corrected. It should include a clear understanding of cost. You can have confidence in a proposal that you receive from a true professional roofer.
Any agreement should also specify and spell out any installation of things such as skylights.

A quality skylight, when properly installed, is a great accessory that will last as long as your roof. The problem is that there are many bad skylights and poor installations out there. There are some very good units out there, but even they will give poor service if they are installed improperly. Models that are self-flashing and flush-mounted are going to leak sooner or later and some of them cost a lot.
Good skylights are curb-mounted with side saddle and skirt flashing at top and bottom with step flashing details on each side. Insulated units that also block UV light are best. A quality unit should require no adhesives or caulks except in rare instances. Be on guard if the installer or repairman carries up a bucket of roofing cement or a box of caulk up the ladder. These materials have no place in a professional skylight installation. Again, installation must be done according to manufacture’s specifications or warrantees will be voided.

It should also address the warranty and how they will address things like leaks if they occur after roof installation.

Water does everything it can to get into your home, and your roof is a prime target. Roof leaks usually result from one of four different causes:

1. Improper installation of shingles and flashing around chimneys, plumbing and HVAC vents or at the junction of a roof into a wall.

2. Roofing materials that are not installed to manufacturer’s specifications.

3. Roofing that has deteriorated through age, mechanical damage from things like fallen tree limbs or high winds or due to inadequate ventilation in the attic. Or if a vaulted ceiling has poor ventilation in the rafter bays.

4. Valleys that haven’t been installed properly.
Whatever the cause, few leaks can be permanently fixed with caulk or roofing cement. In the majority of cases, leaks can be fixed only with flashing. Caulks or cement may hold up for a while but will eventually deteriorate with heat and UV light and the leak will return.