Working With Roofing Contractors: What to Expect – Part 2: During a Roofing Job

It’s a Go!
Once the proper permits have been secured and your roofing material of choice has been selected and delivered, work can finally begin! To properly set expectations and ensure that timelines are met, detailed information about the job must be prepared by your contractor and should form part of your contract. This information should include:

• What you should be prepared for in regard to your home: noise, debris, storage of outdoor furniture and furnishings and delicate items in the home, protection of plants and shrubbery, and parking.
• The expected project timeline, with specific start and end dates, work hours and days.
• Permits and guidelines.
• Payment/collection schedule.
• Change orders.
• Notices to neighbors.
• Clean-up and debris collection.

The duration of a roof replacement job will vary according to the size and complexity of your roof, the materials chosen and the weather. Most typical jobs take between 3-4 days, while larger, more complex work can last for over a week. Throughout its duration, your contracting company’s project manager should be highly visible and readily available to address any questions or concerns.

Handling Problems

It’s all well and good if everything goes as scheduled, but sometimes, the weather can be fickle and interrupt momentum.

Extreme temperature changes and inclement weather can cause delays in roofing projects. The safety of workers should always be of foremost concern. High winds, rain storms, snow and ice can make roofing work dangerous, so stopping the work until the danger passes is always the smartest and safest thing to do.

In addition, temperature changes can have an impact on the activation of sealants, and some manufacturers may void their product warranties under such conditions. These factors must all be taken into account when deciding whether or not to proceed.

On some occasions, work must be stopped or delayed if changes in the original contract are called for. This can happen if, for instance, you request a change in material or design, or when structural weaknesses that can affect the roof’s stability are unexpectedly uncovered.
Your contractor should always advise you of anything that requires a change in the agreed-upon contract. Well-drafted professional contracts anticipate unforeseen problems such as these.

In the last installment of this series, we’ll discuss what to expect from your contractor after your new roof has been installed.