Do your homework
When it comes time to replace your roof, you just cannot open the phone book and pick a roofing company name by using a finger and pointing to a name with your eyes closed. This is an expensive upgrade and that means you need to do your roofing contractor homework.


One of the ways to do your homework is to get a list of potential roofing companies and ask them the following questions. Then take notes and compare what they all say. The best companies will have answers that stand out and prove their credibility.


Top Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractor
​Some of these questions may sound obvious but there are roofers out there that are not licensed and their work ethic is a little questionable. It is best to filter these companies out before you pay a large price for hiring the wrong company.


#1. Is your company licensed and bonded?


This is a very important question as most states require both of these legal qualifications before they can begin work on your home. Also, be aware that a business license is not the same as a roofing license.


Check with your state to see if they have methods to verify the license and bonding claims for all roofing companies.


#2. Do you have insurance?


Another important question that you need an affirmative answer before proceeding with the estimate. The two insurance coverage roofing companies should have are workman’s compensation and general liability.


The general insurance coverage protects your home and your finances if the roofing company damages it during the removal and replacement of your current roof.


Make sure to see proof of insurance coverage and that it is current.


#3. Do you offer a warranty on the new roof?


The correct answer will be yes. While most roofing companies offer only a 1-year warranty, the better companies will guarantee their work for up to 10 years.


Make sure to get the guarantee in writing so that you have proof if anything should happen to your roof during those 1-year and 10-year time periods. If they balk at providing a written guarantee, then it is time to move on to the next roofing company on your list.


#4. Do you use subcontractors?


It is standard practice for some companies to outsource their work for a variety of reasons. If the company answers yes, then you should get the same information from them that you are asking from the company you are talking with.


You will want the name, and address of the subcontractor, their business license information, if they are bonded and insured, and so on. Plus, you should know who is going to honor the warranty, the subcontractor or the roofing company.


The roofing contractor should be able to explain to you which tasks they are outsourcing and why they are doing it.


#5. How long has the contractor been in business?


While not all good roofing contractors have decades in the business, more often than not, newcomers may not be as good as experienced contractors. Then, while newcomers need some jobs to get established some projects might be too tough for them to handle.


In addition to those reasons, a long history in the business will provide you with a good source for references and to see how their previous clients like the work that was done on their roofs.


Getting references is essential when you need an idea of how the work will be done on your roof.


#6. Do you provide written estimates?


This is a good way to control the cost of the roof. The estimate should provide you with accurate materials and labor costs with no hidden charges. While the estimate will not be written in stone, it is a good guide to judge if the contractor is doing extra work that you did not agree to have done.


Sometimes there will be hidden damage that needs to be taken care of so your final expense may be a bit higher than the estimate. In the construction trade, there will always be additional costs when the roof is not in good shape.


#7. How do you protect the property?

A good roofing contractor will explain all the steps they take to ensure your surrounding property is protected from damage. They will also have the right equipment to help prevent any damage to your driveway, sidewalk, landscaping, and so on.


Also, ask them how they will repair any damage done to your property if it does take place. Knowing these answers can give you some peace of mind once the work gets started.


#8. How is the old roof disposed of?


It is said that on the average roof, 10,000 pounds of roofing material is removed. This material has to be removed from your property. Normally, the roofing contractor will supply the right-sized dumpster to handle all the old roofing material.


You should not have to order one or pay for one. The cost of the dumpster should be included in the estimate.


#9. How will the contractor leave the property?


On average a new roof can take several days to complete. That means that there will be an open roof and other materials left on your property. The roofing contractor should have tarps and tie-downs to protect your home from the elements.


Plus, they should store the unused materials safely and cover them with tarps. Sharp objects like nails and shingles should also be picked up at the end of the day.

When you are ready for a new roof, contact our company, Motor City Roofers. We have all the right answers to these and other questions concerning the roofing work for your home.

We have been in the business for many years and not only are we bonded and insured, but we also have lots of references. Leaving your roof to inexperienced contractors is not the best strategy to use. Call us today for experienced help.

It is a fact of life


Everything ages and metal commercial roofs are no exception to this fact. One reason why these roofs age out is that it can be expensive to maintain and repair them.


But eventually, you have to address the situation and find the right methods to either bring them back to life or replace those old metal roofs. If you do not want to make this decision alone, keep reading as our article has the information you want to know about.


Take a few minutes to see how this information will help you decide which option is best for you. Then after you made your decision, call Motor City Roofers to help you repair, coat or replace that aging metal roof.


Solutions for your aging roof problem


The good news is that there are some good solutions for when you want to upgrade your current roof. The bad news is that these solutions may not all be economically priced or some can take a long time to complete.


But the following solutions all have their good and bad points and one roofing style may not work for every commercial building. You just need to investigate the style that will work best for your building and budget.


#1. Repair the roof


This can be done in several ways. If you have used roofing panels for your current roof, all you need to do is replace the damaged panels and your roof should be fine, for now.


If the roof is on the young side, then repairing may be your best and most economical option. But if it is aging out it is best not to take any chances and simply replace the entire roof.


Let our roofing experts help you make that call as they can see damage where you may not notice it.


#3. Replace the roof


This is an option that can take a long time to do and interrupt your business operation when it is not done correctly. The process includes tearing off the old roof and inspecting the joists.


If the problem is that the metal is just old, then the joists should be in good condition and will not need to be replaced. This is the best-case scenario. The worst-case scenario is that you may have to replace some if not all of those joists.


The cost of this solution will depend on the condition of those joists and other roofing materials. But the positive side of this solution is that the new roof will last for a very long time.


#3. Apply a coating


Ever since roof coatings were invented, it has been a popular solution to extending the life of your aging roof. This option is best when you are trying to mend minor problems and leaks, plus,m it may help with your energy issues.


Once the older roof is coated, the coating should help prevent rust and corrosion and extend the life of the metal sheets. However, some owners who have used this option have had warranty problems due to repairs of leaks, etc.


Another negative issue you need to know about is that the coating does not repair big leaks and it may break down sooner than expected. There is also a low adhesion factor that may not allow the coating to work as well as it could.


The good news is that this is usually the most economical solution you can choose to use.


#4. Metal panel overlay


No matter what you call this solution, it can be called a retrofit, it is a good solution to consider. The process is where you do not tear out the old roof but add a new metal roof over the top of the existing metal panels.


The pros of this solution are many. You get the extended life of a new metal roof, address major roofing issues, your building will look better, cut roofing costs, and keep your building’s interior protected from the elements.


The negatives for this type of roofing option are that it can be very expensive, the installation is said to be complicated, there may be some warranty issues, and it does not help with your energy concerns that much.


#5. A single-ply membrane retrofit


There are a lot of advantages to using this roofing option. One is that you get some extra roofing insulation that will help with your energy needs. The insulation is placed on the roof and smooths out the existing roofing material.


Over the insulation, a TPO or PVC membrane is placed to provide even more protection to your building. The high-performing membrane should prevent and guard against leaks, as well as your building experiencing other benefits.


While this solution can be a bit more expensive than applying a roofing coating, the bigger drawback is that it may alter the overall look of your building. You need to analyze the look of this roof before giving the go-ahead to install it.


These two negatives are overshadowed by the improved insulation, the increased reflectivity as well as better warranty coverage.


Which roofing option is best for you


This is hard to say as the best option will depend a lot on your roof’s design and other factors. If the joists are damaged, then replacing the joists is mandatory and some of these roofing options may not work as well as a new metal roof.


The key to replacing your aging metal roof will depend on how much it impacts your current day-to-day business operations. The tear-down and rebuild option will have the highest impact while the roof coating system has the lowest.


To help you find the best roofing solution for your current metal roof, call our office. Our roofing experts will gladly help you investigate all the options and help you find the best one for your roof situation.


Call now so you can get that aging roof repaired or replaced as quickly as possible. It pays to go with the best roofers, Motor City Roofers.

Repairing is not always the best method
​The average lifespan of a commercial roof is 20 years. Some commercial roofs do not last that long while others last a lot longer. If you are lucky enough to have a slate roof, you may never have to replace your commercial roof.

But for those building owners who did not install a slate roof, repairing the current one may not be the best answer. Those repairs may only delay the inevitable and cost you more money in the long run.

The best repair to do is to replace those below-average and average roofs before they get any worse. You get a lot of benefits when you opt to replace your current roof with a new one.

The reasons why you should replace your commercial roof
#1. Your roof is getting too old- age has a way of deteriorating your roof.  When yours is getting too old, repairing it just won’t help

#2. Extensive damage- wind, rain, hail, and snow storms have a way of damaging your roof. When they do that damage may be too great to simply repair it. Replacement is your best option.

#3. Energy efficiency- older roofs just do not have the modern technology in their components. Instead of helping you save on energy costs, those older roofs add to them. When your roof is like this, it is time to replace it with roofing materials that keep your building energy efficient.

#4. Building code requirements- it happens to a lot of older buildings. Those older roofs are not meeting the updated building code requirements and you will need to replace that roof to avoid fines or other problems. Repairing won’t work here either.

#5. Inferior roofing materials- back in their day, these roofing materials were state of the art. But with all the technological advancements that have taken place, replacing the older roof is a wise move. You get the benefits these upgraded modern roofing materials offer.

The benefits of replacing your old roof
It is a well-known fact that replacing your old roof can be too expensive. But sometimes replacement must be done. It is a fact of life and you need to make the decision, hire the contractor, and get it done before any damage happens to your building.

There are some good benefits that come with replacing your older roof:
#1. A new roof provides more safety- not only does technology help improve roof construction methods and materials but a new roof can withstand heavy snowfalls, stop the rain, and solve other safety issues.

Plus, you can address those roof locations that seem to encourage falls and accidents. Getting rid of those liabilities protects you in more ways than just keeping the weather out.

#2. Prevent lawsuits- if an employee or a customer gets injured due to a faulty old roof, you could face a lawsuit costing you more than the roof replacement would cost. This is a bigger hit to your bottom line than the expense of a new roof.

#3. Extend the lifespan- when you replace the old roof, you are adding 20+ years to the life of your commercial roof. That is if you use the right construction materials.

A new roof will also protect and extend the life of the sub-roofing membrane so your building’s interior does not get damaged any time soon.

#4. Possibly protect against insurance premium increases- By removing the old roof, you are keeping your building in top shape, and insurance companies like that. Especially when you use roofing materials that prevent fires and other damage.

Having a new roof over your employees' heads can give you some peace of mind.

#5. Better storm resistance- wind, snow, rain, and hail storms can cause a lot ofdamage. Not just to the roof of your building but to its interior. Unknown leaks or newly created ones can let a lot of moisture inside where it will continue to do damage until the problem of the leaks is solved.

A new roof is stronger, younger, and more capable of stopping these storms from doing damage to your building as well as preventing leaks from being created.

#6. Save on energy- when you select the right new roofing construction materials, you can stop any energy leaks that happen to find their way into your old roof.

A good new roof will help your heating and air conditioning units work better cutting your energy costs somewhat. Using those construction materials known to be energy efficient, you are becoming eco-friendly and have created a sustainable building.

Maintaining your new roof
To make sure that you benefit from installing a new roof, you will need to do regular maintenance. This work is essential if you want your new roof to last longer than 10 or 20 years.

One thing to note is that the different roofing materials may require different maintenance applications. Make sure you know everything about your roof and how to take care of it.

That way you can employ the right people to see that your new roof lasts a long time and that you did not waste the money. A good maintenance schedule will help prevent leaks from becoming a problem.

Also, it will help you make repairs that will count and not delay the inevitable. Protect your commercial building with a new roof that will last a long time.

If you are not sure if your roof needs to be replaced or not, contact our company, Motor City Roofers. We are in Detroit and can visit your location to give you a free estimate and let you know if you need a new roof or not.

Our company hires the best roofers so whether you need repairs done or a new roof, you will receive a professional job at a reasonable price. Call us today for an appointment to check your roof and get a plan of action that will protect your commercial building and its contents.

ROOF REPAIR VS REPLACE
​For owners, it is a tough decision. Whether it is a residential or commercial roof, every owner has to face this decision when the roof starts to show its age or contract leaks. Some budgets are not ready for the replacement costs that come with removing the old roof and installing a new one.

Sometimes, simply patching or doing a partial re-roofing will not do anything except delay the inevitable. The condition of the roof will help guide you through this tough decision.

There are some situations where repairing is the best option and others where, over time, replacing the roof is the less expensive route to take.

When to repair the roof
Usually, the time to repair is when your roof still has plenty of life left in it. Plus, the leaks or damage are not that severe and can easily be fixed with little effort. For example, shingles are blown off your roof.

The wind can blow a few shingles off and there is no point in replacing the roof when a couple hours of time and a few new shingles will handle the problem.

The type of roof will also indicate if you should repair or replace your roof. For example, if you have a slate roof that can last up to 100 years and is only 20 years old, then repair not replace it.

Then the weather will also tell you when it is best to repair the roof instead of replacing it. If a major storm is coming to your location, you won’t have time to replace the roof. Find the vulnerable spots and repair them to protect your belongings inside.

You will be the judge or you can call in a top roofing company to look at your roof and make suggestions. Our professional roofers are ready to examine your roof and let you know if you should repair the weak spots or replace them.

When to replace your roof
There are several key situations that will tell you that repairing is not going to be enough. Those situations will indicate that you need to replace the roof as quickly as possible.

When it comes to roof damage time is always of the essence. Most often, repairing only delays what really needs to be done.

#1. The age of the roof- the typical commercial or residential roofs have limited lifespans.. if you are closing in on the end of that lifespan, then replacing the roof is your best option.

#2. Severe damage- light damage is okay to repair but when the damage is extensive then again, replacement will be your only option. If the damage done to your roof is covered by insurance, then replacing the roof is the intelligent thing to do.

#3. Selling or staying in your home- this is an important situation to consider. If you are looking to stay in your home for a good 5 to 10 more years, then repairing may be the way to go. That would depend on if the roof can be repaired or not.

However, if you are thinking of selling your home in the next 2 to 3 years, then to add value to your house, and make it look good, replace the roof. A new roof provides good curb appeal and that influences the value of your home.

#4. Moving to energy-efficient roofing materials- this should only be considered if your roof is not brand new. There is no financial sense in upgrading your roof when it is in top condition.

But if the roof is getting older and showing its age, then replace it with those energy-efficient materials. The energy savings will help offset your roofing costs.

#5. Building codes may make the decision for you- there are regions of the country where building codes will restrict how many layers of roofing material you can have on your building at the same time.

The building code in your area will let you know that you have to remove the old roofing materials and replace them with a new roof.

The tough financial decision
It goes without saying that replacing your roof can be very expensive, especially when you are going to updated roofing materials. In many cases, your budget will dictate what action you can take at the time.

Repairing your roof is often the only route your budget will let you go in. That is okay as a repaired roof will still protect your building’s contents until you can afford to replace the roof.

Check your budget and get good estimates for both repairing and replacing your roof to see which is the most financially sound direction to take.

Repairing, replacing, or partial replacing
Technically, you could say that partial re-roofing is the same as repairing but in reality, it is not. Partial re-roofing will fix the damaged or leaking area but it also replaces other sections of the roof that do not have problems.

The initial cost for repairing one side of a four-sided hip roof may be roughly $3000. But if you replaced all four sides at the same time, your cost may be lowered to $2000 per side or $8000.

You may be paying more upfront for a partial re-roofing but you are saving money per side. This option works best when the original roof is nearing the end of its lifetime. It can save you money in the long run.

When it comes to repairing or replacing your roof, you do not have to make this decision on your own. To get help and all the facts, contact our company, Motor City Roofers, to get all the facts and figures you need for both options.

Our company has the experience and knowledge to guide you to the right decision for you and your home. We are located in Detroit so we can be at your home quickly to provide a free estimate. Call us today to schedule an appointment and have experts repair or replace your residential or commercial roof.