Knowing whether you need a new roof or just a repair is difficult to judge and knowing who to trust to get the job done right and at a fair price can be overwhelming.  As a professional PA and MD roofing company, we’ve put together some of our most frequently asked roofing questions to help you understand the process.

Do I need a new roof?

Unless you’ve had a leak or another kind of major damage, you may not think you have a roofing problem.  This is why roofing professionals recommend an inspection every spring and fall to identify issues with shingles, flashings, gutters and downspouts, and other visible roofing system failure. Indoors, cracked paint, discolored plasterboard, and peeling wallpaper are usually signs of damaged roof areas.  If you haven’t had periodic roof inspections, a good rule of thumb is to have one at 12 years.  Even if you can’t see any signs of damage, a trained professional can identify damage that, if detected early, can avoid expensive repairs in the future.

 I know I have a problem with my roof—what do I do now?

There are basically two options to take care of a damaged roof:  complete replacement, which involves tearing off your existing roof system, or a re-cover of the existing roof system.  If your roof has already been re-covered, you may have to go with a replacement because many building code requirements allow only one roof system re-cover.

Do I have to hire a roofing contractor or can I do the work myself?

 While you may be tempted to do the work yourself to save money, this is not advisable. As with many professional service providers, licensed roofing companies train their employees in the safe and efficient repair or replacement of roof systems. If you are like the majority of homeowners, you do not have the proper training in installation techniques to avoid damaging your roofing system, and, most significantly, you risk a severe injury if you fall off or through the roof.

What is the cost and how long will it take to install a new roof system?

 Depending upon what contractor you select, the size, shape, and location of your home/roof, local labor rates and season of the year, the cost of a new roof can vary widely. Get three or four proposals from reputable contractors, keeping in mind that price is only one component, and it must be balanced with the quality of materials and workmanship. Hiring the cheapest contractor could cost more in the long run if you have to repair sup-par roofing and the damage it causes.  Factoring in variables such as weather, number of layers, and removal, etc., an average roofing system can be installed by a professional roofing company in PA and MD in three to four days.