The average homeowner has several choices when it comes to replacing their roof. Those options boil down to three primary alternatives:
- Do-it-yourself (DIY).
- Retain a general handyman.
- Hire a professional roofing contractor.
Each option involves particular considerations that residential homeowners must take into account.
Reasons Why Hiring A Professional Roofing Contractor Over Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Is Advised
Enhanced Safety
One of the most inherently dangerous human activities involves climbing and walking on a roof. Every year, hundreds, if not thousands, of people suffer severe injuries, or even death, as a result of falling off sloped roof surfaces.
Most lay people do not know how to safely navigate the elevation and pitch of a roof. An experienced professional roofing contractor like O’LYN Roofing has the skill, tools, and equipment to access a roof safely.
More Experience
The average homeowner lacks the knowledge and training to replace a roof. Additionally, most homeowners need help understanding the many options there are for their faulty roof, including what solutions make the most sense.
An established roofing company can comprehensively assess an existing roofing system and identify problem areas. They can provide guidance that most closely addresses the root cause of specific problems.
Less Time Consuming
Replacing a roof takes time. Even for experienced roofing professionals, the process flows more quickly and smoothly when a trained roofing crew works together. Replacing a roof will take much longer for the average homeowner than a roofing team.
On average, a knowledgeable roofing crew can remove existing roofing materials within half a day. Professional installation of a new roof takes one to five days. Because hiring a professional is more efficient, it’s usually the preferred option.
Quality Of Workmanship
Suppose you had a choice between hiring someone who had successfully repaired cars of all types more than 10,000 times, or an individual attempting to repair a car for the first time. Who would you hire to fix your vehicle? The answer should be obvious.
DIYers often think of themselves as unique and will somehow do a better job than an experienced professional. However, when addressing a roof, a homeowner should not “chance it.” Replacing or repairing a roof demands exceptional craftsmanship to ensure first-rate results.
Tools And Equipment
Roofing nail gun. Roofing hammer, tacker, stapler. Air compressor. Shingle tear-off tool. Roof rake. Gas torch. Tin snips. Ladder hoist. Safety harness. Roofing boots. Toe boards. Scoop shovel. Roofing blade. Magnetic sweeper. Sawhorse.
These tools of the trade are part of a roofing contractor’s business. Few, if any, DIYers possess any of these specialized tools or other pieces of equipment necessary to perform a roof replacement. Renting or accessing them can be costly.
Benefits Of Choosing A Professional Roofing Contractor Over A General Handyman
Potential Financing Options
A handyman rarely offers financing options for a home improvement project. Most handymen work as independent contractors.
An established roofing contractor often offers financing options for homeowners needing roof replacement funds. Lending institutions are much more likely to partner with roofing companies than handyman operations.
Liability Insurance Coverage
Most handymen are not legally required to maintain general liability insurance or worker’s compensation. If an unfortunate onsite accident should occur during the roof replacement, the homeowner may not have adequate protection.
A reputable roofing company will hold adequate general liability insurance coverage and worker’s compensation for their employees. These risk management safeguards also protect the homeowner in the event of a worksite accident or other mishap.
Licensing Provides Legal Assurances
Peace of mind. Most government agencies do not mandate that a handyman maintain a contractor’s or roofer’s license.
A duly licensed professional meets the local or state regulations or ordinances to operate a business through the proper channels. A trustworthy roofing company secures and maintains any required contractor’s or roofer’s licensing.
Focused And Formal Training
Trusted contractors expect their workers to have years of experience with roofing projects. They typically require workers to secure classroom or on-the-job training before fieldwork.
Many handymen have little to no classroom or field training before entering their profession. No particular postsecondary education or formal training requirements exist for handymen.
Warranty Protection Guarantees
An established roofing company likely has access to manufacturer warranties unavailable to novices or handymen. For example, Owens Corning affiliated contractors can extend warranty coverage to homeowners for many of their roofing products.
Credible roofing contractors routinely provide limited or extended workmanship warranties for roof replacement services. Unfortunately, these homeowner protections are not customarily available when working with a handyman.
Retaining A Local, Professional Roofing Contractor For Your Next Roofing Project
For homeowners in Norwood, MA, and surrounding areas, O’LYN Roofing has the solutions to address all your roofing needs. We are a full-service roofing contractor. To learn more about how we can assist you or to schedule an appointment, contact O’LYN Roofing today.
