6 Things You Need to Know When Replacing Your Roof

What time of year do most roofs get replaced?  That time of year that follows a hail storm.

You have seen it in your neighborhood.  A hail storm comes through and magically roofer signs start popping up in all the yards and you come home one day and everyone has a fresh and clean layer of shingles sitting on top of their home.  Of course, you don’t want to be left out and you start figuring out how to get in on the action.  If you are thinking about getting your roof replaced, here are six things that you need to know!

1. Don’t use just any company. Resist the urge to call the company that left a flier on your door.  Worse yet, really don’t call the company that littered up your driveway with a bag full of rocks and a business card.  Once your neighbors complete their job, you can ask them if they would recommend the company that they used.  You should also ask your insurance agent…but be careful and read tip number 2 before you call!
2. Use this phrase when calling your insurance agent! It can be a good idea to ask your agent for a good roofing company.  In fact, many insurance companies have a list of reputable roofers that they officially recommend.  However, you need to be careful and make sure you don’t have a claim started (and added to your record) if you don’t file a claim.  Vanessa Kimball, Agency Principal of The Kimball Group in The Woodlands, TX, recommends that when you call your agent, start the conversation with “I am not calling to initiate a claim, I am only calling to ask for a recommendation.”
3. Understand how the insurance process works. At some point in this process, you will need to see if your insurance company will pay for your roof.  The bottom line is that you will eventually need to file a claim.  Most agents will tell you that once you file the claim, they will send their “expert” out to see if you have damage that warrants them paying for your roof.  It seems unfair, but in my experience most are impartial.  If they deny your claim, it is possible that the act of filing the claim will actually cause your future premiums to go up. 
4. Make sure your roofer is insured. Ask for proof of liability coverage and workers comp.  Check the date of the certificate and effective date of the policy once you have it in your hands.  If something goes wrong with the job the insurance may be your only recourse.
5. Be prepared for a mess and noise. Most roof jobs will not take more than a few days…but these days are noisy and will create a mess.  Understand that in most cases a heavy trailer will sit in your driveway and in some cases, like mine, will cause the concrete driveway to sink and crack.  Also realize that if you have an attic that everything in your attic will be covered with dust, dirt, shingles, and nails.  I am still afraid to enter my attic to this day.
6. Get discounts for your new roof. Once your roof has been replaced, let your agent know.  It is possible that you will get some additional discounts for a new roof.

So, if you think you need a new roof and are brave enough to start the process, I hope you are armed with a little more knowledge to make the venture worthwhile and productive!

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About the author: Byron W. Ellis, CFP?, CLU?, ChFC?, CRPC?, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER? professional, public speaker and a Managing Director with Ellis & Ellis, a division of United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC, a Financial Life Management Company.