A Handy Roofing FAQ Guide
Welcome to our Informational Resource Designed to Help You Make Informed Decisions When Replacing or Repairing your Roof
The information included in this guide is Specific to the Greater Athens, GA Area
We are excited about the opportunity to help you choose a roofer in Athens, GA. We are proud to have been installing new roofs and repairing roofing issues in the greater Athens, GA area for over 20 years. Our company offers expert residential and commercial roofing replacement and repair services that fit your budget without your having to compromise on quality products or services. We are GAF Certified, Angie’s List Preferred Contractor and maintain an A+ rating with the BBB.
Roofs are your first line of defense against Mother Nature so are obviously very important to your home. That’s why it so important to seriously consider your options and understand the underlying issues of your roofing project. We’re here to help, as we believe the better we understand the state of the industry and the more educated our customers are the better. We strongly believe informed customers are more likely they are to choose to work with us over a competitor that cares less about being upfront, transparent, and getting things right.
We Are Fully Licensed Roofers and Home Construction Contractors Based in Athens, GA
Unlike most roofing companies, we are also a fully-licensed Georgia contracting company offering new home construction, renovation & additions, and home repair. That means we understand the “whole-home” picture when it comes to your roof, and have exacting standards when it comes to roof replacement and repair. But don’t take our word for it, check out our excellent customer reviews on Google to get a feel for our level of craftsmanship.
Our roofing customers appreciate that we are helpful around the house with with pretty much any project they throw at us (babysitting excluded!). But they love that we bring a wealth of industry knowledge and experience to the table that other roofing companies simply cannot match. When someone is installing a new roof or fixing a leak in your home, why trust a company that doesn’t include actual licensed contractors?
How to Choose a Roofer in Athens, GA That’s Right for You
There’s so much more to choosing a roofing company than just the cost, though that’s of course very important. More important still, however, is making sure you are comparing apples to apples and not trying to evaluate something that’s too good to be true. Hint: if a roofing estimate seems too good to be true, it more than likely is. Just wait till you find out how expensive “cheap” can be!
To help you understand how to choose a roofer and better understand the roofing expertise and experience that Cecil Jennings Construction brings to the table, we’ve pulled together some of the most commonly asked questions we have heard over the years and answer them below.
Roofing Questions? Our Roofers Answer!
We recognize that you understandably have a lot of questions about how the roofing process works, what roofing company you should work with, what a new roof costs, how to avoid roofing scams, and so on. These are all excellent questions that we have Cecil answer below, but if you have any additional questions please contact us to let us know!
How do roofing estimates work?
Estimates are prepared based on the square footage of your roof, the pitch/steepness of your roof, and the complexity of the roof layout. For example, you may have an A-Frame, Gable, Butterfly, or some other roof type. You can see examples of three primary roof types here.
What questions should owners ask a roofing company?
Ask any roofer offering an estimate to repair or replace the roof on your home about their business location, how long they have been in business (which you can easily verify online at Georgia’s Secretary of State’s business lookup site), and for documentation of workers comp and liability insurance.
You should also ask for specifics on materials to be used on the roof and be mindful that what is installed matches what was proposed. Also ask if synthetic felt or tar paper will be used, in addition to ice and water shield in appropriate areas, as well as true starter shingle, true hip-and-ridge shingle, and if there will be a ridge vent to offer complete air circulation and reduce the likelihood of future damage. Finally, inquire how the disposal of old shingles and materials and final cleanup will be handled. Will magnet “vacuums” be used to catch all loose nails and other potentially dangerous and destructive metal pieces around your yard? The answers you get should reassure you. If you feel like something is off, it probably is.
What roofing systems are popular in the Athens, GA area?
In the Athens, GA area we install a lot of asphalt shingle roofs as well as rib metal roofs. Asphalt is appealing because of the price, though metal roofs tend to last longer. In Georgia, we have the advantage of not having to worry as much about snow, though ice storms can cause catastrophic damage to a roof.
That said, beware of roofing “storm chasers” that knock on your door after a storm and promise a “free” roof by filing an insurance claim. These outfits tend to appear and disappear with storms, and typically can’t be trusted to live up to warranties are install roofs using the highest quality materials and installation best practices.
How do I watch out for a roofing fraud?
As noted above, watch out for companies that knock on your door and any company that asks for money upfront. And remember, if a price looks too good to
be true it probably is. You should also ask yourself— Do I feel comfortable with this company and its representative? Do your research and trust your gut!
How long does it take to install a new roof on a home?
Most residential roof replacement jobs can be completed in only a single day including cleanup. We start early and aim to have the work done by the time you come home from work or are getting ready to enjoy dinner! Commercial roofing jobs can take a day or more depending on the scope of work.
Can I repair my roof instead of replacing it?
Yes, though a lot depends on the age of the roof. If a residential roof is already 15 years or older, it may likely make more economic sense to go with a roof replacement than repairs. This depends on the nature of the repairs, of course, and a good roofer will always be upfront with your options.
What if I have an aging roof but no evidence of leaking?
An aging roof can be deceiving; we have seen many roof replacements where there were no obvious signs of leaking in the home but when the existing roof tear-off was complete water damage to the roof sheathing (decking-plywood) was found the decking had to be replaced.
In this example, there were small leaks that allowed rain to wet the decking and drip into insulation and make its way towards exterior walls. But there wasn’t enough water volume to drip into the interior of the home and make a visible water stain on sheetrock. As a result, we had to replace as many as 20 sheets of sheathing with no indication of interior water damage. All that’s to say, when you purchase a 20-yr, 30-yr or even a 50-yr roof, it’s best to budget for a replacement within that timeline and not wait for costly damage to present itself!
What roofing warranties do you offer?
GAF brand Royal Sovereign 25-yr 3-tab shingle has a 25-year limited warranty. Many 20-25 year 3-tab shingle roofs need replacement in 15 years.
GAF HD Timberline Architectural Shingles come with a 50-year limited warranty. An architectural shingle warranty standard is 30 years. Many architectural shingle roofs need replacement in 20 to 25 years. Overall, shingle technology has improved dramatically over the last couple of decades and roofs are increasingly likely to meet their warranty dates.
Our roof replacements also come with a 5-year warranty on workmanship. A warranty on workmanship is something you’ll want to make sure all your estimates offer!
What other roofing questions do you have?
This resource page about finding a roofer in Athens contains a ton of information but is certainly not exhaustive. Another great “how to choose a roofer” resource is provided by our friends at HomeAdvisor. What did we miss that you want to know? Tell us and we’ll add our answer to this resource!
Ready for a roofing estimate from a top Athens, GA company you can trust?
We’d be honored to provide you with a free, no-pressure estimate on your roofing job and answer any questions you may have. We wouldn’t have lasted over 20 years in Athens if we didn’t care about our integrity and reputation. When you’re ready, contact us today and let’s get started!