All roofs need repairs or replacements eventually – especially in upstate New York. Roofing in Buffalo, NY in particular is a task that requires frequent attention, as the city is known for long, harsh winters with heavy snowfall and hot summers.
Replacing or repairing the roof of your home is very important. Removing old roofing materials and installing new shingles requires a lot of skill and know-how. There are lots of factors to consider when it comes to roofing houses.
The Buffalo, NY area is full of historic homes. In fact, this city has the largest population of homes over 65 years old of any metropolitan city in the United States. While older homes are certainly charming, they can be tricky when it comes to roofing. They often have unusual designs and some have hidden structural damage beneath.
Now, there are plenty of contractors offering roofing in Buffalo, NY. Finding one that is reliable and trustworthy is a tremendous challenge. You don’t want to get duped out of your money by a contractor who does shoddy work. But how are you supposed to find a roofing contractor that you can truly trust?
Here are some tips to help you find the best roofing contractor in Buffalo for replacements or repairs.
1. Remember that Their Reputation Matters
You want to work with a company that has longevity and has built a solid reputation in your area. This means that they will have a better idea of the type of roofing services that will be best for your specific home’s design.
Take the time to research and check out customer reviews on Google and other third-party sites like Facebook or Angi (formerly “Angie’s List”). Some roofing companies will pick and choose which reviews show up on their websites, but credible third-party organizations do not allow this.
When you are checking reviews, be sure to pay attention to more than just the satisfaction of their work. Check for other important factors, like:
- Do they have great customer service?
- Were they quick to complete the project?
- What happened to customers who had an issue?
- Did they respond to customer questions, concerns, or comments on these review sites?
You can also enter the company’s name into the Better Business Bureau website to see if any complaints have been filed. You can see their rating and accreditation, as well as verified reviews. This will help you get a better idea of the roofing company’s reputation from a reliable, unbiased source.
2. Learn About Their Warranties
Most roofing shingles come with a manufacturer’s warranty that spans up to 30 years. This sounds wonderful, especially considering that most roofs generally need to be replaced every three decades anyways. However, this only covers the shingles themselves – not the installation or workmanship.
It is highly recommended that you hire a roofer that offers a workmanship warranty. This goes beyond the manufacturer’s warranty to cover issues like leaks, ventilation problems, engineering issues, and more. If the shingles were not secured correctly or there’s an issue with installation, you won’t have to pay any extra to have the issue resolved.
Further, your homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover contractors. So, when you are hiring any type of home improvement service (including roofing), be sure that the company offers its own warranty.
That’s why we here at Wm. C. Rott & Son offer an unprecedented 20-year fully-transferrable workmanship warranty for all of our roofs. Additionally, all of the materials we use are covered under the manufacturer’s warranties as well. No matter what the issue is, the homeowner is covered!
3. Make Sure the Work is Done In-House
You may be surprised to learn that just because a company offers roofing in Buffalo, NY does not mean their employees actually install the shingles. Lots of roofing companies use subcontractors to do the hard work.
There are several reasons why they do this. First, it cuts costs so they don’t have to hire full-time workers for installation. It also shifts the blame off of them if something goes wrong – and it makes it much harder for the homeowner to get the problems fixed.
Before you sign with any roofing company, ask them outright if the installers are in-house employees or subcontractors. It is far better to work with a company that only uses in-house labor. This generally indicates higher quality work since the roofing company is responsible for hiring all of its workers.
4. Compare Financing Options
Replacing your entire roof is a fairly big investment. Paying for it out of pocket up front is not always an option. This is why many roofing companies will offer in-house financing so homeowners can avoid taking out loans.
However, these financing options from roofing companies can often come at a high price. They typically have high-interest rates after a certain timeframe or they come with a short pay-off window. So, make sure you get all the details before signing on the dotted line.
Wm. C. Rott & Sons has been working with homeowners in the Buffalo area for over 100 years. We know that paying for a roof repair or replacement can be a huge financial burden – so we do all we can to make it affordable. We proudly offer financing with a 0% interest rate for 12 months for qualified customers. You can also receive a free estimate so you will know how much to budget.
5. Ask About Their Process
Roofing in Buffalo, NY is unique because of the weather patterns in the area. Buffalo gets a lot of snow, ice, and cold in the winter with high humidity in the summer. Some seasons are better than others for roofing, due to these weather constraints. If a roofing company does not adjust its process to accommodate for this, it could result in leaks or uneven shingles.
Poor workmanship will lead to leaks, shingle damage, and major issues. This could compromise your insulation and even lead to mold growth in your attic. If the weather suddenly turns and there is lots of rain, snow, or extreme temperatures, it may cause issues.
Be sure to ask your contractor about their installation process and what additional services they provide. For instance:
- Do they lay down insulation or roofing underlayment before? If so, what types?
- Will they install tarping for temporary coverage if the weather changes?
- How do they check that all shingles are secured before the project is complete?
- Do they offer free shingle repairs or replacements within a set time period?
Roofers should be able to answer this question without any problems. If they aren’t giving you straightforward responses, chances are they aren’t real experts. It is best to steer clear and hire a company that will give you straight answers to any questions you throw their way.
Ready to Hire a Roofer in Buffalo, NY?
The company you choose to install your roof needs to be reliable, trustworthy, and experienced – otherwise, you could end up with more problems than you bargained for.
Wm. C. Rott & Son has been replacing and repairing roofs for over a century. We know exactly how to repair your roof so it can withstand the harsh Buffalo weather for years to come.
If you would like to learn more about our roofing process or sign up for a free estimate, please contact us online or call 716-694-8220. We look forward to talking with you soon.
