Roof Restoration Quotes Melbourne – How to Hire the Right Roofing Company

Maintaining your roof in top condition is not just a matter of aesthetic appeal. It will also protect your home and your family from the elements. With the tough Melbourne weather conditions, this is very important.

Finding the right roofing contractor however, could turn out to be quite a challenge. The large number of roofing contractors in Melbourne, let alone Australia could make your decision a lot harder while you try to decide between several options.

To a regular customer, the average roof quotes may seem unduly high. The only way to get the best value for your money is to understand what is included in the price you are paying.

Questions To Ask When Hiring A Roofing Company

Before signing a contract with a roofing company, you should be sure that you have chosen the right contractor to do the job. To help you make an informed decision, here are a few questions to ask them to get the best roof quotes for your home.

Re-coating the surface of a roof can improve its appearance. However, this type of work has attracted some unethical operators in the past. Before you engage someone to re-coat your roof, check they have a legitimate business name and address, and avoid paying them an excessive deposit. – Consumer Affairs on Roof Coatings

Does the company have an online presence and permanent business address, phone numbers, and fax numbers?

If the contractor has no permanent business address or website, this might be a sign that they are doing this job on the side. A professional company would have at least a simple website presenting their contact information, services they offer, and maybe even a portfolio and customer testimonials.

Do you have any certifications?

Professional roofing companies are regulated by the local government body and should, therefore, be certified and licensed. Ask to see their certificates to ensure the work they are doing is monitored as a high-quality service. Most companies display those on their business website if one is available.

Do they provide warranty and support after the job is done?

A reliable roofing company will be able to provide you with warranty and support for at least a few years after the project is completed. This means that they are confident that the work they are doing is professional and according to the highest standards.

If any issues occur after the project is completed, the contractor should be able to come and fix them as part of the warranty.

Are they easy to communicate with?

If you feel comfortable communicating with them before the project has started, they will likely be easy to communicate with later on as well. You should be able to address them with any questions or concerns that arise before, during, or after your roofing project.

Ask about the experience of the workers that are going to do the job.

If you are dealing with a large company, it’s likely you won’t meet the actual workers before the starting date. Being informed about their expertise however, is important because it is one of the major factors influencing the quality of the job.

Some small contractors work alone and try to do everything on their own, from tiling through painting, and even up to complete roof replacement. Of course, being a multi-skilled roofer is possible. However, it should raise a red flag to first check their actual qualifications. One way to do this is by taking a glimpse at their previous work.

Ask for reviews and a portfolio.

A roofing contractor that takes pride in their work will have reviews and previously completed projects to show you. You could check the company’s website or social media pages for testimonials from previous customers.

However, be aware of multiple comments originating on the same date as this could mean that the reviews may not be genuine. If you find the reviews on a social media page you could even contact the person and ask them about their experience. You may also ask the previous customers if everything went according to plan, and how does the roof look now after some time has passed.

Checking out their portfolio, on the other hand, will show you the type of work they have done so far and how well it was executed. Look for a roofer who is clearly experienced in the type of work you need.

Ask for work assessment and exact roof quotes beforehand.

When you receive your quote, be sure to note whether this is a fixed price for the project or just an initial assessment and whether the price includes GST. If the project includes multiple tasks, it is recommended that the price for each is listed separately.

If the quote is estimated per hour instead of per square meter ask the contractor to estimate the expected duration as well.

When the quote is ready, ask for a written copy so that you can compare it with other contractors and also to avoid bad surprises at the end of the project. Still, quotes can be changed if additional work is necessary. Extra work requires extra materials and/or labour, after all. Just be sure that you are aware of how changes to the contract will be handled before signing.

Even if you are satisfied with the first company you find, it is always best to compare at least several alternative contractors.

Ask about alternative materials and solutions.

Some roofing materials are quite expensive and may significantly increase the price you are quoted. Keep in mind, however, that working with the cheapest available solutions may not give you a long-lasting result. Ask about the upsides and downsides of the different types of products so that you can opt for those with the best price-to-quality ratio.

Are any discounts available?

For large jobs, it is common that the price may be reduced a little, or even a lot if the project is big enough. Some companies also provide free services in addition to the main roofing job. It never hurts to ask, especially when you are comparing multiple quotes from different companies.

When is the payment expected?

Reliable roofing contractors should not ask you to pay for the whole project upfront. Still, a deposit could be expected before the starting date.

According to the Domestic Building Contracts (DBS) Act of 2000, the deposit should not exceed 10% for jobs up to $20,000 and 5% for more expensive projects. Payments for materials are also reasonable to be requested.

The final payment for the project should not be finalised until the job is completed to your satisfaction as a customer and according to the initially agreed scope.

Communicate the exact start and end dates for the job.

It is important to know the deadline by which the contractor will finish working on your roof. Having a set time frame will ensure they will not leave you behind to work on a better project. Changes to the deadlines are acceptable only due to unforeseen weather conditions or similar extenuating circumstances.

Request all details in writing before the contract is signed.

Having everything written down simply means that your roofer cannot back out on the initial agreement. Make sure that you have at least the list of jobs to be done, quotation, project time frame, and materials to be used in black and white.

Hiring A Roofer Without Insurance

Whether you are repairing your roof or just cleaning it, you want to get the job done professionally and without unnecessary trouble. One way to protect your investment is to hire a roofing company with proper insurance.

If the contractor you hire does not hold a valid insurance policy for the duration of the project, any complications that may occur while working on your roof will result in additional expenses on your side.

Of course, the best case scenario is that everything will go smoothly. Still, sometimes accidents happen. In case a worker or a third party is hurt, or any damage is caused to your property by the contractor, their liability insurance will cover it.

If you hire a roofing company without the proper insurance, any potential claims will fall on your homeowner policy.

Additionally, public liability insurance is compulsory and having a valid insurance policy is a sign that the roofing company is working according to standards and confident in their job performance and efficient project delivery.

Roof Repair Quotes

The costs associated with a roof repair can vary quite a lot. While one project may cost as low as a few hundred dollars, another one could cost thousands.

Some homeowners are worried about roof repair costs and therefore wait as long as possible before contacting a roofing company. This however, could result in spreading the damage and eventually greater costs for the repair. In some cases the roof cannot be repaired and may require complete replacement, which significantly increases the price of the project.

There are many factors associated with roof repair quotes and being well informed may get you the best price for the job you need to be done. Some of the main factors that inform the price of the project include, but are not limited to, the following:

• ease of access to the roof
• roof complexity
• the type of roof that needs to be repaired
• the type of repair required
• the experience of the worker
• the materials to be used
• amount of work required

Many companies offer an online calculator on their websites to estimate a rough quote by yourself. Due to the variety of different factors, a final repair quotation should only be expected after a personal assessment from the roofing company.

While many customers prefer the cheapest solution, keep in mind that too low of a price may be a red flag that something is wrong. Ensure that the roofer you are about to hire has the expertise to do the job.

On the other hand, if the price seems too high, you could try negotiating a discount, or discussing alternative materials.

Before signing the final contract, make sure you have compared at least several different roofing companies. In the end, this will make you more comfortable that you are getting the best service for your money.

Roof Restoration Quote

When your roof requires more than a partial repair, you might be needing a roof restoration in Melbourne or even replacement. The main roof repair rules apply here as well – don’t be afraid to ask questions, mention your concerns, and collect as many quotations as necessary.

Restoring a roof is usually an expensive project, so selecting the right roof restoration quote is essential for your investment. While most roof contractors will probably charge you about $2,500 for a medium-sized roof, the actual roof restoration quote depends on a variety of factors, so it is really hard to narrow it down but the main points include:

• the current condition of the roof
• type of restoration required
• size of the roof
• type of roof to be repaired – metal, tiled, etc.

Additionally, details such as ease of access and materials to be used also affect the final price of the project. If the restoration is done on a multi-story house, for example, a guardrail may also need to be installed.

Again, be sure that all details are included in the final written quotation. Details such as the number of paint coats and additional cleaning and preparation jobs are easy to miss in the quotation but should be listed as well.

If the price is too low compared to other contractors check what is the reason for the quote difference. Using low-quality materials may tempt you with low costs. In the long run, however, it may cause a lot of unnecessary trouble and require another restoration in just a few years. This could eventually mean that you will spend more than if you had decided to go with the higher quality materials the first time.

Enquire about the different possible materials and ask the contractor to advise you which one has the best price-value ratio.

Roof Replacement Quote

The most expensive of roof jobs is roof replacement. Many people are so concerned with the roof replacement quote they receive that they back out entirely. Many others decide to go with a roof repair instead to patch things up.

There are several things to consider while you decide whether or not you need a roof replacement:

If there are only one or two small areas that are damaged, you may indeed choose to go with a roof repair only. If the damage, however, occurs on multiple places or spreads, you should consider replacing the whole roof.

If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, the damage could easily spread and result in leaks and other property damage.

If home aesthetics are important to you, then you should consider roof replacement to fix the damaged areas. Whether you are thinking about selling or just feel more comfortable in a good looking home, a roof replacement will make your house look brand new.

Again multiple variables make up the final roof replacement quote:

• size of the roof in square meters
• roof complexity – flat roof or steep pitch
• type of roof material
• removing and disposing of your old roof

Steep pitch roofs are more expensive since it is more complex and there is a certain risk for the roofers. When it comes to materials, you will pay less if you choose color-bond roofing, while a metal roof will cost you more but is a lot more durable in the long run.

The roof replacement quote will also be affected if any additional tasks are added to the project. These could be replacing rotten timber, installing guttering and insulation, etc. When you receive the quote be sure to ask whether or not it includes GST.

Roof Cleaning Quote

While roof cleaning may sound like the simplest of roofing jobs, it has its specifics as well. To obtain roof cleaning quotes the contractor will often come to inspect the roof in person. The key factors that will eventually form the final quote include:

• roof type
• roof size and complexity
• type of cleaning – soft wash or pressure cleaning
• how much cleaning is necessary

The different types of roofing require different methods for cleaning. You could expect to pay less to clean a concrete or metal roof since they are more common and easy to work with. Terracotta roofs, on the other hand, are harder to clean and a lot more fragile, so they may increase the final price.

Roof cleaning quotes are usually estimated per working hour. This means, for example, that if your roof has built up dirt or algae for years it would take more time to be cleaned and may cost more.

Steep or multiple slopes will also increase the quote as the workers will have to be more careful and they will have to work slower.

You may also want to ask if the guttering will be cleaned as part of the job. After the roof cleaning is done, most of the dirt, including leaves, moss, and algae, will fall in the guttering and that will  need to be cleaned as well.

If you decide to go for pressure cleaning you should be confident in the expertise of the workers who are going to do the job. If not done right, high-pressure cleaning may cause leaks or otherwise damage your roof.

To keep your roof in top condition it is recommended that you clean it professionally every two or three years and clean the guttering at least once a year as it tends to gather leaves and other debris.

Get a Professional Roofing Quote

Vivify Roofing has been restoring, cleaning, replacing, and repairing the roofs of Melbourne for more than a decade. If you are looking for a trusted name in the industry who will provide you a fair price for the highest quality work, reach out and request a roofing quote today.