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 1/3rd’s’. That means they can have 1/3rd up front, 1/3rd halfway through, and the last 3rd 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
What To Look For in a Roofing Contractor
Roofing replacement in Minneapolis is a business that many weekend warriors have jumped into over the years. It does not require special certifications or licensing, the basics can be learned relatively quickly, and the tools needed are very affordable. It can supply a steady flow of income, due to the fact that most every house has a roof, and roofs generally need repairs from time to time. So, if someone is moderately competent and they do not mind the labor, they can earn a good income in this field, not to mention the freedom they can have working for themselves.
The down side is that many of these ‘work for themselves’ guys love the freedom, but don’t like the responsibility. They are glad to install a new roof, but if something goes wrong, they blame the manufacturer. Never the less, these individual roofers can prevail because many homeowners often want to pay as little as possible to get something done. So along comes Joe roofer, and he has his next month’s expenses covered.
As silly as this sounds, it is way too prevalent in the roofing business. Often these guys are not properly insured, if they are insured at all, and they look to the homeowner to keep them in cash. There is a place for the independent roofer, and they serve a segment of society that needs these services, but if you want a top of the line, professional company that is able to replace or repair your roof with no surprises, then consider giving Iron River Construction a call. Our team is fully licensed, insured and bonded so that you won’t have to be concerned about any unforeseen circumstances.
Our employees are fully trained and work under direct supervision of men who have 20 or more years of experience, so that nothing is left out. Roofers do not need a diploma from a university to perform roofing, but many of them do need supervision, and yourproject receives full supervision when you engage Iron River.
When you are ready to start your roofing repair or replacement, call us to see the difference an experienced company can make. We are here when you need us. 952-442-1762
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
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
