Roofing FAQ

As a homeowner, a few things you can look for are stains on the ceiling; loose granule debris, which may show the roof is aging; and splitting and curling of the shingles.

When we inspect your roof, what we’re really looking at is the condition of the shingles—watching for deterioration and looking for brittleness—because these are the key signs of failing roofs. In roofing, there can be unforeseen, hidden, and unknown damage that we only discover once we remove the roof; it’s rare, but it happens.

It’s difficult to estimate something we haven’t yet discovered, such as rotten wood or long-term leaks. However, our promise to the homeowner is that we will fully document all that we find, and we clearly list in the contract all costs associated with the required roof repairs. You will know all the potential costs before we start your roof replacement.

That is one of the most asked questions. A new roof installation is not an inexpensive investment, so homeowners want to get the most for their money.

How long a roof lasts will depend on the type of shingle, the brand of shingle, the quality of the shingle, and components of the roof, but it also depends on the skill of the roofers who install the structure.

On average, a roof will last for between twenty and twenty-five years. It’s rare to see one last much longer than that, but it does happen. However, poor workmanship during the installation could, in fact, reduce its life expectancy or cause premature failure of the roof system

Every home is different as to design details, slope factor, and accessibility to the property. To get a precise estimate (and the best price), we will come to your property to assess all elements required to complete the job.

Then we’ll help you choose the best option to meet both your budget and industry standards. An average shingle roof replacement in a Vancouver home could cost somewhere between $7,000 and $15,000.

However, it will depend on the above factors, the number of roof sections, and other details such as valleys, chimneys, skylights, and more. That is why it’s best to inspect the roof first to make sure everything is covered before providing you with an estimate. There are lots of options available—from economy to premium.

Our roof experts will work with you to provide the best value and solutions possible to meet your budget and needs

A typical residential roof replacement can take around two to four days.

There are many types of roofs, such as multiple asphalt shingle roofs or wood shake roofs, and some will require additional work.

For example, when we remove the wood shake shingles, you will have to re-sheet the roof deck with plywood, which can slow down the process.

That is a definite yes! All roofing contractors across British Columbia are required to have a municipal business license from the city hall in the regions they are performing the work.

Also, every roofing company must have an up-to-date work safe clearance letter showing the contractor has paid all premiums to maintain their certification in good standing.

Liability insurance is paramount for roofing contractors (as much as for homeowners) as it covers damages or accidents should something go wrong in the high-risk roofing business

Roofing contractors provide workmanship or manufacturers’ materials warranties or a combination of both. Most roofing contractors provide a ten-to-fifteen-year workmanship warranty on asphalt shingle roofs.

Asphalt shingle manufacturers provide a lifetime warranty, provided it’s been registered with the manufacture within a designated time after the roofing job is completed.

For the manufacture to back up the warranty, in the event there is a defect in the product, most require installing a minimum of three or more accessories from the product line to qualify for their warranty.

Failure to follow the manufacturer’s installation specifications may void the warranty.

The homeowner could be liable to pay all costs associated with the roofing project if the roofing contractor hasn’t paid his supplier or his roofers.

The best way to ensure the roofing contractors pay all roofing costs is to call the supplier and ask if the contractor is in good standing.

Another option is to hold 10 percent of the contract cost until the roofing contractor provides you with all invoices and receipts from the supplier to show that everything has been paid.

Not necessarily.

We recommend a roof inspection and full report as well as getting a second or third opinion from other qualified roofing companies. It may be a minor fix, and you may save a lot of money by getting a professional opinion.

Some roofing companies in British Columbia offer free roof inspections; we are one of them.

Most manufacturers require installing asphalt shingle on plywood and will not warranty their products if it has been installed on the ship-lap deck.

If your existing roof is cedar shakes or concrete tile, you will need to overlay the entire roof with plywood.

You should never settle on one quote, even if you trust your roofer and you have worked with him in the past.

A second or third opinion will allow you to compare apples with apples and make a wiser decision on which roofing company to choose.

The cheapest roofing contractor is not always the best approach and may cost you more money, a lot of stress, and damage to your property.

It depends. If you have a flat roof, installing a tarp will not help you stop the leak. For a sloped roof (ex. asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, clay tiles), I recommend covering it with a tarp as soon as possible. This is especially important if the roof is older and will help minimize the number of trips needed to repair it. Make sure the tarp is securely installed onto the roof, and in the meantime, I will provide you with a roof replacement estimate.

It is difficult to estimate a roof repair cost as it will vary depending on the service needed. Most roofing companies will have a minimum charge for a roof service call and then an hourly rate that is determined before arrival.

Most contractors will require a 30-40% deposit upon job start. Ultimately, the payment process will depend on the roofing company you choose.

No. The price will mostly depend on the complexity of the roof and where the leak is.

There are several variables when it comes to choosing a roof sealant. For example, do you need a little asphalt shingle correction or a metal flashing adjustment?
For best results, I recommend you call your local roofing company for advice.

Although you may save labor costs by doing it yourself, I highly recommend calling a roofing company. It is common for individuals to purchase the wrong materials and misuse equipment. This will cost you more money in the end.

Ask your family and friends if they can recommend any roofing contractors. Alternatively, you can go online and search Google for local roofing companies.

Most roofing companies will provide a repair service. That said, some roofing companies only specialize in roof replacements and not repairs.

An asphalt shingle roof is the most cost-effective in North America. 

However, it may be worthwhile to look at other roof systems as it is the most important expense when it comes to residential homes. Investing a little bit more money will result in a longer-lasting roof. 

As a rule of thumb, you should have your roof inspected at least 1-2 times a year. For newer roofs, a yearly inspection should suffice.