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Archive for the ‘Roofing Repairs’ Category

Two More Mistakes Made When Purchasing a New Roof

1. Getting a discount for signing the contract “tonight” or other high-pressure sales tactics.

This forces the homeowner to make a quick decision, so as not to miss the “unbeatable price.” No matter how good the roofing install or repair price may seem, do not buy a roof from a company that asks you to make a decision before you are ready. There are rare times such as after a natural disaster when roofing companies get backed up, but they should simply inform you of what they can, and leave the decision to start up to you. Any decent contracting company will at least tarp your home, and protect it until they can get back to it in a more timely manner; or they will leave 1 or 2 men onsite to secure it from further damage.

Any reputable company will have relationships and access to quality products for 2 or more weeks from the time they provide you with a quote. There is an outside chance that a contractor may have a “sudden” opening in their work schedule and offer an incentive to keep their crews working, however the more reputable companies do not have a significant amount of discount in their cost. If they offer more than a 10% discount, one might question their margins in the first place. Do your homework, talk to references, and only sign when you are comfortable that you’ve made the right choice.

2. Signing the deal because you like the sales person (or not signing it because you don’t).

Although you may feel a certain comfort level with a sales person, this should not be your sole reason for making a purchase. A truly good sales person will know their products and the overall installation process very well, which should give you a level of confidence. However, the sales person is not the one who will be doing the roof repair or installation. Find out who will, and their experience. Ask for references and ask to see examples of similar installations. Be wary of a sales person who cannot provide real references from CURRENT customers.

The best thing to do is call Iron River Construction. We are experts in MN roofing repair and storm damage, and can provide everything you need to answer all the questions you have, and only until you are satisfied, will we begin our work. We are glad to provide as many references as you need, simply give us a call to today in order to get started. 952-442-1762

Three Mistakes Often Made When Purchasing a New Roof

1. Shopping for the Best Price

The price of a roofing repair or replacement in MN, especially after a storm, will vary greatly depending on the size and location of your home. If you shop around for prices and notice that a company is well below the average, there is probably a good reason why. Cost alone will not determine quality. Professionalism and quality workmanship should also influence your decision greatly.

Ask yourself, what is the total price of the job? Does this include sales tax? When are the payments due? Does the price include removal or disposal of the old roof? Are there any hidden costs?

Some smaller roofing companies may require a small deposit at the start of work. Most of the contracted amount should only be due after all of the work is completed in a satisfactory manner. Do not issue full payment for the job until all work has been completed. Lengthy projects may require progress payments, so just be sure the amount does not exceed the value of the work performed. The average payment plan is to issue payments in 1/3^rd’s’. That means they can have 1/3^rd up front, 1/3^rdhalfway through, and the last 3^rd after the job is all finished and cleaned up to your satisfaction.

2. Check For Insurance, and Verify It

It is also important to check the insurance of every company doing work at your home. A company should carry both workers’ compensation and liability insurance. Because of the dangers inherent in working on the roof, workers’ compensation and liability insurance are a significant cost to a roofing company. Since the cost of the insurance is high, some companies do not carry it. This practice is a shortcut some companies take to underbid the competition.

3. Don’t Go With a Company Just Because They Were the First To Respond, or Promise To Finish Right Away

A company that is quick to respond and pushes your to start your project immediately may be offering because they don’t have enough business or need the cash deposit for their own cash flow crunch. It is important to ask yourself why? Maybe they are a larger company, and can simply schedule lots of work in a productive way, but maybe they just want to get the deposit and come back later.

It is OK to ask how long this company has been in business, so you can be reasonably sure they will still be around if you have any warranty issues. Also, be sure to verify the warranties with them. Ask how many years of roofing experience they have, and if they will be doing the work themselves.

These are just three of the things you should be aware of, but if you give us a call at Iron River Construction in Minneapolis, and we will put all your concerns to rest. We have 15 years of experience, and have been there and done that no matter what comes up; so let us know what we can do for you. 952-442-1762

Tags: Minneapolis contractor, roof replacement minneapolis

Roof Repairs and Caulking Is Not As Easy As It Looks in Minneapolis

Caulking and home repairs go hand in hand. It is used to fill in gaps to prevent water, air, dust and insects from wandering into your home. Creating a smooth finish that will last looks simple, but is not always so. The first thing to know is what brand of caulk to use.

There are so many on the market, but DAP seems to be the leader in this field. They have all types of applications, caulking for wood, glass, metal, and in a variety of shades. When it comes to roofing and siding, DAP’s AlexPLUS is often used with great results. This is great for external use, and will stick to almost anything. The clear color seems to be a little more adhesive that those with a pigment and it won’t stand out as much either.

If you are going to attempt to apply caulking yourself, make sure you have a wet rag to wipe your hands with frequently. Excess caulking will gum up quick, and make the job much harder than if you do it this way. It is also important to keep the caulking gun moving with long, steady strokes. By applying caulk in a slow, shaky motion, it will look more like you were baking a cake, than you were trying to leave a smooth, clean finish.

It is also a good idea to wait until the weather is above 60 degrees. This will allow the material to be more receptive to absorbing the caulking, and give it a better chance of sticking to it.

Having said all this, the absolutely best way to handle your homes caulking needs is to give us a call, and let us do it. Iron River Construction in Minneapolis has all the ladders and experience needed to protect your home, and make it look its best at the same time. If your home needs a little attention and/or repair to its roofing and siding, give us a call and we will make it easy for you. We are ready when you are. 952-442-1762

Tags: caulking, roof caulking

A New Roof in Excelsior MN

Making the decision to purchase a new roof in Excelsior, MN is no small matter. This will add to the value of your home greatly, and should be decided on only after you gather together all the circumstances around it.

Depending on where you live, you should take into consideration the typical weather conditions throughout the year. If you live on a lake; you can expect a certain amount of ice every year, and this will call for a certain collection of materials. If you live in a wooded area, you will need to consider moss and other wet environment issues. There is a wide range of roofing materials for Minnesota, and only by speaking with someone who is knowledgeable of them all, will you be able to make the right decision concerning your roof.

New roofing doesn’t have to cost a fortune either. If you shop around, you will find a wide variety of costs. It is important to remember that expensive doesn’t always equate to quality. Materials are only as good as the way they were installed. You could have some of the best materials in your area, but if they were installed improperly, they will still leak. This is why it is important to consider all the details of a new roof installation.

At Iron River Construction, our technicians are employees, not a roofer that happened to be available. They are all trained professionally and made aware of any changes to the manufacturers’ design, so that we can properly install and warrantee your products. We are also prepared to perform the annual inspection at no cost to you, in order to keep your warranty in effect. Many large roofing material manufacturers will require these inspections to make sure their products are being properly cared for. While some other companies will charge for these annual inspections, Iron River includes them as part of our basic service.

We know that our clients are our neighbors, and we want to build not only a strong new roof but a strong reputation that will even last longer than your roof does. 952-442-1762

Tags: free roofing inspection, Roofing Company Minneapolis, Roofing Company St Paul MN

How Long Does It Take To Replace A Roof in Minneapolis?

This is clearly one of the most frequently asked questions that we hear around our offices every day. Every property owner would like to know how long their home will be exposed to the weather and how long must they endure the hammering. The good news is that the average home will only need 3-5 days to completely install a new roof.

The best way to determine how long it will take to replace a roof is to ask the roofing contractor when they are giving you an estimate. We assign a project manager to each roofing job that is responsible for informing you of all the details, such as what exactly is going on and when, so that if you would like to be out of the house while the bulk of the work is going on, you can make plans to do so.

One thing we also advise is to make sure there are no loose items, leaning against the walls, because there will be several men walking around and hammering on your roof for a few days, and this creates a lot of vibration. People who have not heeded this advice have found out that at Iron River Construction, we know what we are talking about, and we don’t make casual comments. If we suggest you walk through the house to secure loose items, there is a good reason why~

With 15+ years of experience under our belts, we know how to take care of any roof, and in such a way that it will last a long, long time. We will explain to the homeowner all the warranty information and the details about the quality of the materials we use, and at Iron River, we make sure that you are completely satisfied before we leave.

Actually, we never really leave; we stand by our products and service, reminding you of scheduled maintenance so that you can be sure the life of your new roof is well cared for. So if you are looking for a new roof in the Minneapolis region, give us a call first, and you will quickly see why we are one of Minnesota’s leading roofing contractor. 952-442-1762

Tags: free roofing inspection, GAF Roofing Systems Minneapolis, roof repairs Minneapolis, Roofing Company Minneapolis, Roofing Company St Paul MN

Waconia MN had Little Storm Damage This Year

Even though Waconia, MN had little storm damage this winter, there was still enough wind and hail damage to warrant roofing inspections across the city. Once the warm weather got here, it brought with it a few spring showers and that pesky roof leak again. For many homeowners this scenario plays out year after year, but sooner or later they will have to have it fixed.

If you notice that there is a new water mark, or a larger one in the same spot, it is time to have your roof looked at by a professional. With Iron River Construction, roofing inspections are free, and they are usually covered by most homeowner’s insurance policies. There is no excuse to avoid having it looked at.

There are some homeowners that don’t want to know what’s going on up there, because they don’t want to have to face the possibility of replacing their roof. However, there is a very easy formula that determines a roof replacement, and you should be able to get an idea of where you stand by using it. If your roof needs more than 1/3 of it repaired, then it is time to have it replaced. If your roof needs less than 1/3 of it repaired, as most of them do, you can fix a few things, and will be good to go for another year. Most leaks can be corrected with a simple repair around the flashing and the chimney. The occasional missing shingle comes into play, but even these are easy to correct.

Find out where you stand with your roof, and find out if it is covered by your insurance or not. Irion River Construction has a dedicated staff that knows how to navigate these things, and will be able to tell you right away what your options are. Just give us a call, and find out today. 952-443-1762

Tags: free roofing inspection, Hail Damage Contractor Mn, hail damage in Minneapolis, Roofing Company Minneapolis, Storm Damage Company Minneapolis, waconia mn roofing, wind damage

Insurance Claims and Roofing Repairs in Eden Prairie MN

Having your roof replaced can be very stressful, but having to deal with the insurance company can be even more so. For this reason, it makes sense to use an Eden Prairie roofing company that takes your insurance and is familiar with the paperwork.

Imagine if every time you had to go to the doctor, you have to make a claim on your insurance for the visit. What a nightmare that would be. Well, the same goes for your roofing contractor. Imagine that every time something comes up on a job, it was up to you to make sure it gets handled by your insurance company. The job would take twice as long, and may even cost a little more because you didn’t understand all the nuances of homeowners insurance and how they work with roofing.

It only makes sense to use a roofing contractor that will know how to put in for, and facilitate the claim process your homeowners insurance will be responsible to pay. Like all insurance policies, there are safety mechanisms that will protect you from poor quality, but once you have inspected and signed off on your new roof, you won’t have to be concerned about paying for it. Our MN Roofing Company will know how to make the right budget, and stick to it.

By working in conjunction with your agent, Iron River Construction specialists will arrange for all the meetings, all the inspections, and all the compliance issues that need to be dealt with before any MN roofing replacement or repair can be done. Because we work with several insurance providers in the MN area already, we will most likely already have a relationship with them, and know how to streamline the claims process. We understand how to bill for only those things that are covered by your insurance, and will not come back to the homeowner with “extra, un-insured items” that serve only to take advantage of the situation. We are committed to building not only the perfect roof; but an excellent reputation so that it will be a win-win situation for everyone involved.

If you need a new roof, and want to minimize the hassle factor; then call Irion River Construction. We have been serving the Minneapolis and St. Paul regions for over 15 years, and know how to take care of you right. 952-442-1762

Tags: insurance claims and roofing, Minnesota Storm Insurance Claims

What to Expect From Your Roofing Insurance in MN

American’s spend a lot of money on insurance. We may never know exactly how much, but no matter what this number is, we expect our insurance company to cover our losses whenever they occur. Because Iron River Construction is in the MN roofing and home improvement business, we need to deal with insurance companies fairly often. Depending on who you have, collecting a claim can be very frustrating to say the least.

There are basically two types of insurance claims offices;

1. The independent insurance operator, and

2. The regional representative of a national chain.

The difference between these two is like night and day. The region representative is usually on a salary, and is paid to keep his claims low, in order to save the company money. The independent insurance representative is paid on commission, and is motivated to make claims high. In the end, it is the independent insurance representative that will serve you better if you should ever have any serious damage.

The next thing to consider about your property insurance is what your deductibles are. This is the amount of money that you need to pay out of pocket first, before the insurance pays a claim. Usually between $100 and $1,000, this is the amount that you need to pay for yourself, before any extensive repairs begin.

Lastly, another important feature to consider is the extent of work that the insurance company will cover. Some policies will require that you clean up after a bad storm, and agree to only repair the actual storm damage. In reality, this means that if a tree falls on your home, you will need to remove the tree before they will agree to repair it. Many homeowners will agree to this line item thinking they are saving some money in the long run, but if you ever need this service, you will be so glad you have it. Just take a look around your property, and see if there are any large trees or something that might fall on your property, if you can’t move it yourself than don’t agree to these terms.

The best thing you can do when dealing with your insurance company is to use a roofing contractor that will deal with them for you. At Iron River, we have lots of experience at this, and will be able to streamline your repairs so that you won’t have to. Give us a call to find out more. 952-442-1762

Tags: insurance claims, insurance claims and roofing, Minnesota Storm Insurance Claims, Roofing Company Minneapolis

Roofing Inspections and Replacement in Minneapolis MN

Whether purchasing your first home or making a foreclosure investment, one of the most important things on your list should be getting a home inspection. This procedure is tax deductible, and many times vital to securing a mortgage loan. In particular, a roofing inspection because this is very often one of the largest expenses a new property owner faces.

One of the most important things to have is a digital camera, because “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Taking pictures of the main items like the kitchen and baths, the roof, all the major expenses that new homeowners want to know about, you will be able to help make the purchase decision that much easier.

When beginning your inspection, begin with the exterior to the interior, top to bottom. To start with, get a ladder, and inspect the roof. If the roof is not too steep, walk around up there. Wear on the roof may be readily apparent, but if not call your MN local roofing contractor to come out and take a look for you. With Iron River Construction, these inspections are free and will give you a wealth of information.

Roofs that are just starting to age can be difficult to spot, but there are some telltale signs for someone who knows. Items like a few missing or loose shingles, thin shingles, or too much gravel in the gutters are all obvious signs, but there are also places that an experienced roofing contractor will know to look for. These areas include the peak, flashing around vents and fireplaces, and in gullies. These will all show signs of age first, and should be the first thing to look at.

Walking around on the roof will also tell the roofer what kind of condition the underlayment is in. If there are soft spots, these will need attention right away. This means that either water is somehow getting under the shingles, or the plywood was irregular to begin with. Either way, soft spots will need to be corrected to maintain a sound roof. Finding the right contractor is easy in Minneapolis and St. Paul, just contact Iron River Construction and we will have whatever you need. 952-442-1762

Tags: free roofing inspection, Minnesota Storm Insurance Claims, roof repairs Minneapolis, roofing inspections, roofing system

Roofing in Prior Lake MN

New Roofing in Prior Lake, MN is a thriving business because too few people go up on the roof, and this allows simple roofing repairs to progress to the necessity for a full blown project. Many roofs will need a little maintenance each year, and this can help you to keep them viable for almost twice as long. A simple caulking here and there; a simple replaced shingle now and then, they all add up to a sound roof that will stand up to the seasons with ease. This is particularly true in Prior Lake because being so close to the lake this area has moist air ,and this can bring a host of unique issues that homeowners want to consider.

I won’t call them problems, because they are not really problems, just issues that need to be considered. Moist air can get trapped in attic spaces and rust nails and other metal parts, compromising their life significantly. This air can also cling to houses and freeze into ice that will expand and contract, breaking apart inch by inch, the small cracks and crevices throughout your home. There is no way to avoid these things, they just need to be managed, and managed by someone who can recognize them for what they are.

By making sure your attic is properly ventilated, homeowners can greatlyminimize some of the issues that homes can have in areas like this. By making sure your roof is tightly sealed and caulked is a responsibility Iron River Construction takes very seriously, otherwiae we know it the open door mother nature is looking for.

Our technicians are well trained in what to look for, and how to handle it. We want to build our reputation as the most responsible roofing company in Minneapolis. We are not so interested in being the biggest, just the best, so that you will never have to go anywhere else to maintain the quality of your home. Homeownership is not always easy; but with our help our clients find it easier. Call us anytime, with just a question or for extensive roof maintenace support. 952-442-1762

Tags: heavy snow on roof, replacing shingles, roof maintenance, Roofing Company Minneapolis, Roofing Company St Paul MN

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