Finding the right roofing contractor can mean the difference between a high-quality roof that lasts for decades and one that begins to show wear and tear within a few years. Or, as some unfortunate homeowners across the state of Georgia have experienced, you may unknowingly hire a transient company who never returns to complete the job after receiving the first insurance payment.

Legitimate residential roofing contractors have an established physical business presence in Johns Creek and its surrounding area. These contractors should be able to provide a list of satisfied customers and examples of their work, in addition to documented professional certifications, licenses, and service ratings from consumer protection agencies.

Here are 4 additional ways you can ensure you are hiring a reputable roofing contractor.

Beware of Storm Followers

If someone knocks on your door following a major weather event, chances are that person is likely associated with one of the numerous fly-by-night roofing crews that scam consumers throughout the country. Homeowners are particularly vulnerable after a big storm has wreaked havoc on a widespread area. Demand for repairs is high, and there are only so many roofing companies available to perform those repairs. Scam artists follow storms around the country and swoop into damage-stricken areas with promises of low-cost roofs, too-good-to-be-true warranties, and fast completions. Don’t allow inspections or sign any documents until you are confident it is a legitimate roofing contractor.

Certifications

Professional roofing contractors must be licensed in the state of Georgia, so it is not difficult to verify whether or not the company is up-to-date and following legal requirements. In addition, there are professional certifications that help ensure you are dealing with a legitimate and professional contractor in Johns Creek:

• GAF Master Elite contractor certification is earned by meeting stringent standards. To be factory-certified, the roofing contractor must show proof of state licensing and insurance, exhibit an established track record in roofing services, and commit to ongoing professional training.
• HAAG Certification shows the roofing contractor is certified to expertly inspect and assess damage via an intense training course to ensure proficiency in the field.

Word of Mouth

Take a look around your neighborhood and, if anyone is having a roof repaired or replaced, ask about the company performing the work. Word-of-mouth recommendations from friends, family, and co-workers can be an effective tool in finding a reliable contractor. Most people are open to sharing negative experiences or those experiences that met or exceeded their expectations.

Subcontractors

Using roofing subcontractors to complete jobs is a common practice for contractors, but not all operate their businesses in that manner. Subcontracting can save the roofing contractor big money on workers’ compensation costs and, in turn, can save the homeowner a great deal of money as well. The problem is that subcontractors can be anonymous workers performing expensive repairs on your property, and the homeowner isn’t aware the subcontractors aren’t employees of the contractor they hired. Check with the roofing contractor to verify whether or not the company will be using subcontractors. As a homeowner who is paying for the work, you have the right to know more about the workers replacing or repairing your roof.

Verifying and taking the time to hire an experienced and professional residential roofing company in Johns Creek will not only prevent you from wasting your hard-earned dollars on subpar work, it will ensure that you’ve hired the best roofing contractor—one who honors warranties and addresses any issues with the work performed and that is why you should choose the experts at "Accent Roofing Service – The Leaksmith".

The click-click of a steady leak drip is the last thing a home or business owner wants to hear—especially in the cooler months of the year. Whether it’s a leak, decay, or wear, it may be time to consider professional roof replacement in Johns Creek. Before you decide on a game plan, here are five things beginners should know about the roof replacement process.

Know Your Materials

Not all planks of wood are created equal. The choice in wood and other materials for your roof depends on where you live as well as, on a more basic level, what appeals to you. For instance, you can go with asphalt composition shingles because of their affordability, but you may not like the dull finish on them. Wood shake is a very attractive shingle of choice, but it comes with a heftier price tag. Metal roofing is technically an option, but isn’t really the best one for insulation as well as heating and cooling reasons. Slate roofing is an attractive, popular roofing choice that has a nice sheen to it—as well as a higher price tag. Rubber slate is swiftly gaining in popularity, made from recycled materials.

Remove Them, Or Cover Them?

When your roof gets worn, one question you’ll need to consider is whether or not you want to remove the old shingles altogether before re-roofing, or if you just want to cover them up. If there’s a concern that the roof will be too heavy or the surface will look irregular, then you might decide to remove the old shingles first before replacing them. Forgoing the removal does mean more immediate savings.

Save Where You Can

Roof replacement installation in Johns Creek is an expense that you can save on by the choices you make in the process—with the long-term expenses in mind. Which contractor you hire, the roofing materials you decide on, and the manual labor involved in the installation will all have an impact on your roofing costs. This doesn’t mean that you should cut corners at every turn, but it does mean that you are in control of how much you choose to spend.

Seasons Matter

Although a great roofing crew gets the job done as needed, the ideal time to get a roof replaced is in late spring or early fall. This is sandwiched between the extreme temperatures of summer and winter in most areas, which means your workers will be safer on the job. The dryness of this season is helpful for the materials to set well.

The Process in a Nutshell

A moderately sized roofing project should take 3 or 4 days. If you choose to, it will begin with removing the existing shingles. Then minor repairs to the roof itself will take place, including replacing any bad wood. Asphalt paper then gets laid down, and the shingles are applied on top of this from the bottom up, stacked in stair-step fashion over each other.

As you prepare for your roof replacement in Johns Creek, keep these facts in mind to enable you in making the best decisions for the long term results, and for the current state of your wallet.