It is after the winters and the snow has melted. The branches are beginning to get greener on the trees and the birds too have come out from their homes. You too want to soak the sunlight and go to the attic to get the camp-cot out. To your horror you find that there are puddles of water in the attic and the floor is all wet. The furniture lying in the attic is wet and the clothes box has begun to rot. It was the snow on top of the roof, which might have begun to melt the past few days and has now found a new way to get into the house. The roof is leaking!
You do what is best. You find the contacts diary and find the number for your trusted roofer and call him over for an inspection. The roofer arrives and detects the roof in detail. To your horror he or she suggests that the roof need to be replaced. Your favorite roof! You saw it being built while the house was coming up. It has been the on your house for such a long time. Well, its time to get it replaced. The roofs are built to last a predefined amount of time. They need to be replaced after that time. Roof replacement is an involved procedure and in spite of what the roofer might suggest, it will involve some amount of discomfort and a very heavy load to your pocket.
What is the cost of a roof replacement? The cost depends on many variables. The material selection, the height of the house, the access to and the slope of the roof has the largest effect on the cost. Flashing are also a major cost factor. If the house has a chimney and many changes in the roofline, the cost will keep going up.
What one requires is a quality contractor. Finding one has to be a very deliberate effort. Only a knowledgeable contractor can arrange for and place a sound, strong and good roof. You need to ask friends, your neighbors and other contracts about a reliable person who can be contacted and given the contact. The contract you need to make with the roof contractor has to be made in detail and an insurance clause added to it. The quality of material used in the replacement has also been to specified. A clause of the time duration and penalties and bonuses must also be included in the contract for any delays.
Roof replacement is a noisy, dirty and a laborious work. The people living in the house have to be prepared to undergo some amount of discomfort if they intend to stay within the house while the repair is being done. It is advisable to remove things like furniture, carpets and other perishable items form the room in which the repair is going on. The car and other locomotives in the house too need to be parked at a safe distance in order to protect them form the dirt and the falling debris.
The whole exercise will be worth the effort if the new roof is durable and lives it life. Roof replacement is a deliberate decision and must be taken after judging upon the factors stated above. Once started, there is no going back, but a good contractor can go a long way in making the decision a wise on.