Questions you should be asking your roofing contractor

ted@wolffroofing.com (Ted Wolff) — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 15:27:14 GMT

Questions you should be asking when hiring a roofing contractor

Picking out the right roofing contractor in Florida to guarantee the investment of a home owner for years to come requires qualifying the contractor properly. Though there are hundreds of local roofing contractors to choose from, there are very few who follow all the legal qualification and operate under all of the Florida statue requirements. Here are some key questions you need to be asking your roofing contractor and why for the first steps of qualification.

1. Are you a Florida licensed contractor and can you provide proof of certification?

Why: It is not legal to install a roof on any type of residential of commercial roof without holding a roofing license issued by Florida DBPR.

2. Can you provide proof of liability insurance?

Why: It is florida law to carry the minimum amount of liability insurance. You want to make sure your contractors liability insurance policy can cover the amount of the full potential damages if damage was to ever occur due to the contractors installation. Florida's minimum requirements will more than likely not cover the the costs of the potential damages that could happen due to a roofing installation accident. If the contractor has no or minimal coverage, you will end up paying for all or part of the damages caused by that contractor on your home.

3. Can you provide proof of workers compensation for each individual that will be working on the property?

Why: It is Florida law to have roofing contractors working on your roof to be covered by workers compensation. It is crucial to have a contractor that has all individuals working on your property covered under a workers compensation policy. If any worker was to get hurt on your property during your roof installation the roofing contractors workers compensation policy will pay for the medical expenses and sometimes partial wage losses if the employee is hurt and can not return to the job for period of time. An individual not being covered under workers compensation and having an accident while on your property will more than likely end in that individual looking to the home owner to pay for all medical damages and more.

4. Do you use subcontractors to install your roofs? Are all your installers employed directly for your company and covered under your workers compensation policies?

Why: It is illegal in the state of Florida for a licensed roofing contractor to hire a non licensed roofing crew/subcontractor to perform their work. Unfortunately, there are very few roofing contractors who follow this Florida law. Many roofing contractors will use a subcontracted crew to perform your roof installation to save costs on the contractors end. It costs more money to follow the florida law in the contracting industry and run the business legally. Many contractors choose to cheat the system putting major liability on homeowners without the home owner even being aware. Contractors using non licensed subcontractors are putting a homeowner at major risk for potential poor workmanship, legal repercussions and a faulty warranty.

Best Type of Roof for Bradenton FL Weather

ted@wolffroofing.com (Ted Wolff) — Tue, 05 May 2020 13:14:23 GMT

If there’s one thing you can guarantee about living in Manatee County or Florida in general, it’s that your home will be fighting an endless war against the elements. From humidity to hurricanes, buildings in Florida have to stand against challenging conditions year-round. You’ll need a good roofing company to help protect your property from nature.

When it comes to choosing what roof material will best protect your home, there are always a lot of considerations. If you’re living in Sarasota or Bradenton, FL, you’ll want something that won’t suffer from exposure to the salty sea air, but can also hold up to high wind speeds and can deal with intense humidity.

Getting in touch with a reputable roofing contractor to discuss your options is always a good first step. Here, we’ve put together a list of some of the better materials for roofing in Manatee County. These should give you a pretty good idea of what will best protect your home in Bradenton, FL.

1) Clay Tile

Clay tile is a popular choice, and a good roofing company will often recommend it. There are a few reasons for this:

Durability
Cost
Long life

Of course, the climate in Manatee County means that many internet best-guesses for the lifespan of any roofing material may not apply here – so always ask your local roofing contractor for their estimate.

All the same, clay is a long-lasting option, even in extreme conditions.

Pros

Clay is quite affordable when you consider its long lifespan, and is low-maintenance on the whole. Clay doesn’t rot, which means that the humidity isn’t a problem, and it’s extremely resilient so that it can cope with high winds and heavy rain.

It can also be shaped into many interlocking designs for your roof, so talk to your roofing company and see what’s available. A strong roof is essential, but it’s always nice to look nice, too.

Cons

Clay tiles are heavy, and clay is brittle, so it can be a little tricky to work with. Having an experienced roofing contractor install clay tiles for you is the best option.

Clay tiles will need occasional cleaning, depending on what the weather’s been like. The high winds that you can experience in Bradenton FL can mean that with rain, sand, and dust can start coating tiles over time. It’s fairly easy to clean, though.

Verdict

All in all, clay is a great choice for your roof. There’s a reason it’s one of the most popular roof types in Florida, and why a roofing company often suggests it to customers as a first choice.

2) Shingled Roof (Fiberglass/Asphalt)

Roof shingles are made from fiberglass or asphalt, which are both inexpensive and durable materials. They’re easily accessible and a popular option for roofing in Bradenton, FL . They’re also much lighter than clay.

Pros

These shingles are cheap and very easy to get hold of from your roofing company – so if your roof is partially damaged, it’ll be easy to find more of the same.

They’re attractive, too; you can lay shingles in an elegant interlocking pattern. Again, talking to your roofing company about how you want your house to look is well worth doing before making your choice.

Cons

Shingles aren’t as sturdy as some of the other options on this list. If you’re looking for a roof that will resist hurricane conditions, shingles may not hold up to a prolonged battering. On the bright side, they’re easily replaceable.

Like clay or any tile, shingles also require maintenance and cleaning. If you’re concerned about how much maintenance you may need, talk to your roofing contractor about exactly what would suit your needs best.

Verdict

Overall, shingles are an attractive, durable, and very affordable option for roofing in Bradenton, FL, and Manatee County.

3) Steel Roof

The immediate concern with the idea of having a steel roof in Bradenton FL is that the sea air might cause it to rust quickly. However, steel roofing is often treated with materials such as aluminum or zinc to make it resistant to rust, so this isn’t a worry.

Steel is strong and can stand up to high wind speeds, and your roofing company may recommend steel if you’re looking for a material that copes with weather extremes.

Pros

It’s extremely resilient – ask your roofing contractor for details. It stands up to heat and very strong winds, and standing seam paneling means that it’s less prone to leaking than tile roofs.

Steel is also very long-lasting and can always be recycled, which makes it a good sustainable choice.

Cons

The look of steel isn’t to everybody’s taste. A shining silver roof may not be what you’re looking for in your Bradenton FL home. Consult with your roofing contractor, and you may be surprised at the options available.

From stone coated metal tiles to appearance modifications that can make steel look like shingles or even wood shakes, there are plenty of aesthetic options.

Verdict

Steel is a great choice for roofing in Bradenton, FL. Its resilience is its main selling point: if you’re worried about high winds battering your roof or leaking, steel is a brilliant option.

4) Concrete Tile

Concrete tile is a popular tile option because it is far lighter than clay, but it still provides heavy-duty protection. It’s affordable and resistant to rot and insects.

Concrete tile is reinforced with fibers and is very low-maintenance (as always, ask your roofing contractor how much cleaning or maintenance may be needed), which besides being reasonably cheap, makes it an appealing choice.

Pros

A roofing company will often recommend concrete as a cheaper option than clay, as it can appear just the same. It requires very little maintenance and is fire-resistant – concrete tiles can be designed to look like wood shakes, but are far better in a fire! Concrete tiles also have a good life span.

Cons

Concrete tiles aren’t as environmentally friendly as some of the other options (especially steel). This is because they’re sometimes coated with enamel or plastic, which helps with their low-maintenance reputation.

Talk to your roofing contractor to find out how the concrete has been treated. If environmental impact is a big concern, steel or clay may be a better choice for you.

Verdict

In general, concrete tiles are a solid and durable option for roofing in Bradenton, FL. The affordability really gives concrete tiles an edge.

Need Help Deciding?

Considering the weather resistance, ideal aesthetics, and lifespan of your roof is important before making such a big decision. If you need help, make sure you find a reputable roofing contractor who will talk over all the options with you before you make your choice.

Each of these materials has pros and cons, but your roofing company will be able to give you the lowdown on the best choice for your Bradenton, FL home.

Wolff Roofing Blog

Questions you should be asking your roofing contractor

Questions you should be asking when hiring a roofing contractor

Best Type of Roof for Bradenton FL Weather