I need my roof replaced

[happy2bretired]

Originally Posted by alvarezg

When the job is done, have them leave you a dozen or two shingles in case some have to be replaced in a few years when you won't find any to match.

I have some left over in my basement. They have been there now for 9 years. They're too heavy to move. Still in the same spot that my now deceased Scotty once lifted his leg on.

[Nords]

Originally Posted by DougViages

I'm starting to collect estimates, and I'm following some of the tips that you gave me. I'll let you know how it goes.

Query the contractor on what they'll do when (not if) they find additional damage. You want to know if they're going to replace the adaptors around the sewage vent pipes and replace the flashing & valley metal. (You definitely don't want them hammering new nails into old flashing.) Check to see if they'll do any work on the soffits, fascia, or screens/vents over the bird holes. (This is especially convenient if rotted sheathing has to come off.) If you have a chimney then you want to have a long conversation about crickets, tucking the mortar, checking the firebrick, and maybe even replacing the rain/animal screen. And maybe you want the chimney cleaners to do their thing before you re-roof.

I think Martha has posted about waterproof membranes to minimize ice dam damage.

If you're not replacing the gutters, then you may want to take pictures of them before the roofers start working around them. Just in case.

The roofing may create amazing amount of dust in your attic. If you have anything stored up there, cover it and be ready to vacuum when the roof is done. Anything bulky in your attics that you want to take out or put in? Want to add more insulation? Skylights? Solar-powered attic exhaust fans? Now's the time to discuss borrowing their lift equipment.

It's worth verifying with the state agency that these guys have workmen's comp insurance.

Like Gumby said, if you're considering photovoltaics then this is a great time to get the roofing guy together with the PV installer. (Is there sunshine in Michigan? I forget.) For example a standing-seam metal roof can be made with built-in clips to hold the PV racks.

I read an entire thread on another board about what color to make your roof. Much of the debate was about reflecting the summer's heat off the roof (light-colored shingles) or about insulating material to keep the attic from heating in the summer and freezing in the winter.

Originally Posted by DougViages

Now, if you can just tell me how to recover my losses in the market, oh, and double my money...?

I think you're supposed to fold each dollar bill in half. There-- now it's doubled.

Originally Posted by happy2bretired

I have some left over in my basement. They have been there now for 9 years. They're too heavy to move. Still in the same spot that my now deceased Scotty once lifted his leg on.

We had some gusty winds take nearly a square off our roof, and I sure wish I'd had the foresight to store some matching shingles. It was a royal pain to find something close.

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Only thing I can add is to use 30 paper and 30 shingles. Its worth the expense. It'll last longer, you'll look better on disclosure to a buyer if you sell, and 30 year shingles look way better than the thinner cheaper ones. Tear off the old roof. That'll also give you a chance to find and replace dry rot sheeting.

Dont go with someone that doesnt seem to have done much work in the area or someone thats new, but dont overpay. Roofing is far removed from rocket science, but its full of scammers.

The contractors I know are getting killed by big companies from out of the area coming in and underquoting jobs, pointing at how many years they've been around, then ripping up your house and upping the quote, finding "new and unexpected things". Most of which were perfectly expectable. But they figure in a year or two their business will return to normal, they'll withdraw to their normal geographic area, and to heck with those customers in the hinterlands that they screwed to keep a paycheck coming in. In the meanwhile the local guys who wont underquote a job are starving.

If you're in the Sacramento/Grass Valley/Lake Tahoe CA. band, I have a roofer for you. And other guys that do almost everything else. They'll do a good job, will quote a fair price, and wont spork you.

[DougViages]

I have two more estimators coming today. Yesterday I had two Ukranian/American contractors give me back of the envelope bids. My wife is a first generation Ukie/American (born here), and the wonderful Ukranian carpenter that we have used on a number of home improvement projects arranged these "estimates". I explained to my wife why I had to put aside these low ball bids, and seek qualified, insured roofers with a local track record.

Thanks, again, and enjoy the holiday weekend!

[Razor]

I had new asphalt shingles put on 2 years ago. A friend recommended a contractor. He came over and gave me a good estimate and said he would be back the next day to do the job. His Mexican crew showed up bright and early, tore the old roof off, installed the new roof with new flashing and drip rails and cleaned up their mess. It took them 10 hours from start to finish and they did a great job. I doubt if any of them were here legally, but I didn't ask.

[Notmuchlonger]

Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny

Only thing I can add is to use 30 paper and 30 shingles. Its worth the expense. It'll last longer, you'll look better on disclosure to a buyer if you sell, and 30 year shingles look way better than the thinner cheaper ones. Tear off the old roof. That'll also give you a chance to find and replace dry rot sheeting.

Dont go with someone that doesnt seem to have done much work in the area or someone thats new, but dont overpay. Roofing is far removed from rocket science, but its full of scammers.

The contractors I know are getting killed by big companies from out of the area coming in and underquoting jobs, pointing at how many years they've been around, then ripping up your house and upping the quote, finding "new and unexpected things". Most of which were perfectly expectable. But they figure in a year or two their business will return to normal, they'll withdraw to their normal geographic area, and to heck with those customers in the hinterlands that they screwed to keep a paycheck coming in. In the meanwhile the local guys who wont underquote a job are starving.

If you're in the Sacramento/Grass Valley/Lake Tahoe CA. band, I have a roofer for you. And other guys that do almost everything else. They'll do a good job, will quote a fair price, and wont spork you.

Wish I would have known this late last year. Had to put a new roof on our garage. Went with some new resin compound. Supposed to last much much longer than the old tar jobs up in Tahoe. Wasn't cheap but pleased with the results. It would have been nice to explore other options though.

[Nords]

Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny

If you're in the Sacramento/Grass Valley/Lake Tahoe CA. band, I have a roofer for you. And other guys that do almost everything else. They'll do a good job, will quote a fair price, and wont spork you.

And with adequate incentive, they'll tell you what the real CFB is like!

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Several times a day, no doubt. Including statements creating doubt as to my parental heritage.