Chicago residential roofing - Tips and Tricks for when a Storm is Coming

It is every homeowner’s fear that in the middle of their Chicago residential roofing job a major storm comes through and interrupts the whole process.That process doesn’t always have to include direct harm to your home as a result of the storm; it may be a prolonged delay in the contractor getting back to work. Many Chicago residential roofing contractors participate in emergency programs that make the homes of those who are disabled or elderly a priority after storm damage. You are still on their list of concerns, but the city and state have prioritized the work that they can do. One way to make sure that no matter what happens you are prepared is to be proactive about how you would handle having the work interrupted by a storm.

Tip #1 - Err on the side of caution
If it is storm season, especially if you are on one of the lakefront districts, talk to your contractor about bumping your work up early, or putting it off from starting if there is a major line of storms coming through. A lot of problems occur when owners don’t listen to the suggestion of a contractor to wait a week before beginning because of potential storms. This can save you enormous time, money and headache in the long run. The key to making this a possibility is good planning. Your project schedule should allow for late starts or delays with contract work so it won’t interfere with the next phase. If it doesn’t, look at the schedule again and make sure there is “float time” worked in. That’s what the time to cover the unexpected is called in project management.

Tip #2 - Have a plan with the contractor
A fact of life is that if a storm is coming the contractor will feel that they have adequately prepared the site by covering the staged material and removing their manpower so no one gets injured. As the homeowner, that preparation is going to seem lacking because the roof itself is exposed. Rather than wait and point fingers at who is at fault, clearly define with your contractor what you want done in the event of a storm cancellation. Most exposed roofs can handle a few days of wind and water without significant damage being done, but if there is a potential for major damage in other areas of Chicago that may delay your contractors return, know in advance how they will cover to protect your home until they are back.

Tip #3 - Practice Good Communication
This tip is actually going to help you throughout any Chicago residential roofing project as it just makes everything work better. Practicing good communication with your contractor makes the job go smoother. They need a way to get a hold of you in the event of an emergency so decisions can be made. That emergency may be a major storm, or it could be a miscalculation in roof material - whatever the event, it should not be a big deal for them to call and get someone to talk to who can make a decision. You don’t have to be onsite for the whole job, but you do need to be available.

Tip #4 - Plan your work around the storm season
There may be a lot of reasons why you haven’t been able to get to having a Chicago residential roofing contractor come in until the beginning of the storm season, but that doesn’t mean that is the only time you can have them in. It can be better to delay a project until the season has passed then to taunt Mother Nature. This is not a time to want things done when you want them no matter what. This is a time to engage in responsible planning. Talk to your contractor about when the job should start and go with their advice to avoid trouble.

The key to not becoming a story of interest on the news for the trouble a storm has caused your home is to create good communication and practices with your Chicago residential roofing contractor. They can help you pick the best time for the work, create a plan for what to do if there is a storm, and keep your home and family safe during any rough weather to come. It takes a little planning, but it can save you money and heartache in the end.

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Which Chicago roofing companies are best?

There are a lot of benefits as well as drawbacks to living in Chicago. One of which is that if you need to have your roof done there are many Chicago roofing companies to choose from. While there isn’t any magical method to picking which one is the best, there is a practical method to narrowing down your list of Chicago roofing companies so you can find the best one for your job. Here is a brief overview of how to go about the process.

Location matters
Where you need the roofing work done is going to be one of the first things that will help you narrow down the list of Chicago roofing companies to choose from. There are several companies that do serve Chicago and the surrounding areas, but more companies that have service boundaries. It won’t affect the price much, but it can affect the ability of the roofing company to get your work done on time. If you live in the Lake District and call in a company from the surrounding suburbs you just increased your chance of delays due to traffic and other common city interruptions which could cost you more money. Pick a company that serves your area first, and even one that is located within the boundary of your community. Don’t rule out Chicago roofing companies with area wide service; just make sure that service means more than just a willingness to take any job. Companies with a wide service area should have more than one crew.

What type of roof do you need?
While everyone knows there is a difference between commercial and residential roofing, there are also a lot of differences within the available types of roofing for each of these. If you want a metal roof for a residential home that incorporates solar units then you may want a commercial metal roofer, not necessarily a residential roofer who has only worked with asphalt shingles. If you have an older home pay attention to the experience of the company you are choosing. The pitch of many of the turn of the century roofs may require a different type of safety and material handling equipment than the common Chicago roofing companies will carry. If you aren’t sure of the roof you need - such as when replacing a roof - talk to the roofing companies and get their
 opinion on what would serve your needs best.

Obeying the rules of the seasons
This is another sure-fire way to narrow down your list of Chicago roofing company. Roofing has a season, no matter what type of roofing it is. The earlier part of the season is reserved for more major jobs. Repairs and replacement roofs that aren’t as labor intensive can be reserved for later in the season - unless they involve a roof that exposes a home to weather damage. Roofing companies have to juggle their schedules to make sure that all the work for the season gets started at the right time to make sure it is done by season’s end. Be very wary of a company that is willing to start your work within a few weeks of winter’s beginning. Better to go with a roofer that will tell you the job can be done - but you have to wait until spring, because that shows a greater care for the quality of the finished product.

Take the time to find some reviews from previous customers
When it comes to narrowing down your list of Chicago roofing companies one of the best ways is a gift of the digital age. It is easier than ever to find out what the opinion of former customers are of their work, to check complaints with the state, and to verify insurance. One word of caution, when reading consumer reviews remember that you are more likely to see a negative review online than a positive one. That doesn’t always mean that the contractor is bad, it is just human nature that if you have a complaint you are more apt to make time to talk about it than if the experience is good. In general, most Chicago roofing companies that have been in business for longer than 8 years have managed to stay in business because they are good to their customers and deliver quality work.

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Stages of vinyl siding installation

There are a lot of reasons to choose vinyl siding installation over other types of siding. While the initial outlay may be more expensive, this material will last longer and look better for longer than any other. Maintenance is comprised of power washing and the occasional anti-fungal treatment. It can be a perfect way to reduce the amount of effort and stress taking care of your house can cause. It can also be the perfect choice if you are doing upgrades to improve the resale value of your home. This is an overview of the actual stages of vinyl siding installation so that you can be more of an informed consumer when interacting with your contractor.

The plan and the choice
Planning and choosing a vinyl siding installation would seem simple, but you must pay careful attention. Talk to your contractor about the options and styles available to you. There are more siding options available beside a horizontal plank design. Make sure you look at all of the styles and options before you contract for the installation. The contractor may surprise you by recommending a mix of materials. It is growing more common to see vinyl siding installed to showcase custom masonry work; this lets you get the best of both worlds, especially when it comes to the resale value.

The surface prep
Surface prep is next, which involves more than just having a wallboard to nail the vinyl siding on. Vinyl siding installation is done by attaching tracks or using pre-attached tracks to put sections of siding into place. The siding has to cover an exterior wall which may require a vapor barrier or thermal wrap by code. Your contractor can evaluate the surface and see if there is anything else needed. At a minimum, a moisture barrier is a must.

Trim
The end and opening trim pieces can be installed before or after the vinyl siding installation. Many companies prefer to put it on first-as it lets them see immediately if a vinyl piece is too short to be covered. For doors and window openings, an entire day may be spent cutting and fitting the trim around them. Corner trim is usually installed on the same day the wall is covered. Don't assume that the trim has to be the same color as the vinyl siding, you can play with accent colors to really give your home a new look.

Finish
The finish process for a vinyl siding installation is easier than any other type of siding installation. It mostly consists of a clean-up of waste and sometimes the contractor will precut waste pieces to leave behind as repair material in case you need it. One thing you should always do is keep a small piece of the siding. This can then be used as a color match piece when adding to the exterior decorations and landscaping of your home.

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Finding good siding contractors

If you are ready to upgrade your building, or complete a new building, then you will need to find good siding contractors. Many general contractors will also offer siding services. You only want to use a general contractor if they are already doing work on your site, that way they will manage the whole process. You can also look at listings for dedicated siding contractors, or look for roofing and siding contractors.

Why roofing and siding?
Roofing and siding usually go together because these two elements of your house form its entire protective shell. Roofers often do siding because it makes integrating the two systems easier. It is harder to have siding attached after a roof and vice versa; there is more risk of an area not being sealed properly. Contractors that are specialized in roofing and siding have the experience to be able to connect one after the other without an issue, even if the roof is older than the siding.

Surprise, finding reputable siding contractors is easy
Despite what the Internet would have you believe, most chicago roofing contractor are very reputable. When you think about it, it makes sense that you wouldn't last long in a business that is based in customer service and has a highly visible product. Don't worry about being taken by a scam artist. If you check them out before you commit to a contract, you won't have a problem with your siding contractors.

What you need to check before you make contact
You need to check the basics about licensing, insurance and whether or not there have been any complaints against a company before you contact them. If there have been complaints it is very important that you read them before dismissing the company as an option. All contractors are required to have a business license and insurance-don't work with anyone who is doing it on the side. Should something happen you will be the only one held liable.

Things to ask during the first conversation
When you first talk to potential siding contractors you want to know the who, what, why, where and when before you even get to the “how much” part. In fact, it is a good practice to detour the conversation if it turns to pricing before you have the information on what they propose to do. A good contractor will be able to give you an idea, but not an estimate until they come out and see the job.

What to look for in an estimate
The estimate should be guaranteed. Any changes to the work plan have to be approved by you before they are done and you have to build in a limit to what can be changed. You don't want to have the job half done and the siding contractors tell you the price has doubled because of an issue. In the estimate there should be a plan for finishing the job as described if the additional work is not approved.

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Stages of vinyl siding installation

There are a lot of reasons to choose vinyl siding installation over other types of siding. While the initial outlay may be more expensive, this material will last longer and look better for longer than any other. Maintenance is comprised of power washing and the occasional anti-fungal treatment. It can be a perfect way to reduce the amount of effort and stress taking care of your house can cause. It can also be the perfect choice if you are doing upgrades to improve the resale value of your home. This is an overview of the actual stages of vinyl siding installation so that you can be more of an informed consumer when interacting with your contractor.

The plan and the choice

Planning and choosing a vinyl siding installation would seem simple, but you must pay careful attention. Talk to your contractor about the options and styles available to you. There are more siding options available beside a horizontal plank design. Make sure you look at all of the styles and options before you contract for the installation. The contractor may surprise you by recommending a mix of materials. It is growing more common to see vinyl siding installed to showcase custom masonry work; this lets you get the best of both worlds, especially when it comes to the resale value.

The surface prep

Surface prep is next, which involves more than just having a wallboard to nail the vinyl siding on. Vinyl siding installation is done by attaching tracks or using pre-attached tracks to put sections of siding into place. The siding has to cover an exterior wall which may require a vapor barrier or thermal wrap by code. Your contractor can evaluate the surface and see if there is anything else needed. At a minimum, a moisture barrier is a must.

Trim

The end and opening trim pieces can be installed before or after the vinyl siding installation. Many companies prefer to put it on first-as it lets them see immediately if a vinyl piece is too short to be covered. For doors and window openings, an entire day may be spent cutting and fitting the trim around them. Corner trim is usually installed on the same day the wall is covered. Don't assume that the trim has to be the same color as the vinyl siding, you can play with accent colors to really give your home a new look.

Finish

The finish process for a vinyl siding installation is easier than any other type of siding installation. It mostly consists of a clean-up of waste and sometimes the contractor will precut waste pieces to leave behind as repair material in case you need it. One thing you should always do is keep a small piece of the siding. This can then be used as a color match piece when adding to the exterior decorations and landscaping of your home. 

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How to survive your roofing contractor

Everyone has a horror story about a contractor that did them wrong, while roofing contractors are often leading the list of miscreants. A lot of these stories are overblown, and if you look closely at the story details – the home owner is often the cause of the issue. The best way to prevent your experience with any Chicago roofing company from turning into a disaster is to learn what a contractor needs from you to do their job. If you can't give them what they need, they will have to come up with resources and solutions themselves that you may not like. Become the perfect client if you want the perfect contractor.

Step 1: Know what you need and can afford
Before you even begin to call around for estimates from Chicago roofing companies, have an idea of what you need and what you can afford. Any time you hear someone complaining that they were “sold” on a roof they didn't need and couldn't afford, the issue has to do with their not behaving like an educated consumer. It takes just a few clicks around to get an idea of pricing (with labor) and to find out about the different roofing types. You also need to become familiar with the type of roof your house can use with and without major installation. Take a good look at your budget to decide what you can afford and be upfront about it with the contractor. They may not be able to give you a new roof for free, but they can probably extend the life of your roof for what you can afford. That said, the roof is the only thing that determines the structural integrity of your home – don't get cheap with it.

Step 2: Make time for the roofing job

Remember that Chicago roofing companies have to manage a schedule of jobs. If you aren't flexible with the dates, then be prepared for unforeseen delays. You may have to take time out of your work to meet the contractor, but usually that isn't necessary. You also need to plan ahead and take care of any parking permits, as well as notifying the neighbors about the coming work. This will keep you on everyone's good side. Make sure you give yourself time before the job to get all of that in place and your job will go smoothly.

Step 3: Get the cleanup in writing

This step is recommended to both you and the contractor as the last phase of the roofing job – the cleanup, where most disputes occur. If you want the drive swept with magnets, get it in writing and put in how many times and how wide the swath. Be prepared to pay extra labor charges for additional clean-up procedures. It is also good practice to establish a check list based on your agreement to qualify the release of the final payment.

Step 4: Take care of your roof the way you are supposed to

Most new roofs that fail in their first five years don't fail because of an installation error, they fail because they are not properly maintained. Chicago has some serious weather swings, and you need to be proactive in taking care of your new roof if you want it to last. Take the time to get a recommended schedule of maintenance from your contractor. Some of the newer roof types do best with specific maintenance and treatments.


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The Best Siding Contractors to Service Your Home

There are times when people end up looking to the wrong people about the services that they need and the quality of the work as a result is affected. But this cannot be easily done for home installations. There are components in one’s house that needs to be stable in order for the whole structure to be able to withstand the harsh elements. One example of these components is the siding.

Plan Every Step Carefully

Not only does a siding boost up a house’s appearance, one of its functional uses is the added protection it provides to the whole structure by keeping out the elements. And before hiring reliable and competent siding contractors for your needs, there is a must to think about the details thoroughly.

What Kind Of Siding Are You Partial To?

Also, so some research on the type of sidings that you think will be best for your home. This house component is not limited to one type and in order to give your house that appealing charm and functional purpose, knowing about how sidings work is a must. Are you going for a wood siding? Perhaps metal sidings or insulated ones? There are also plastic and stone types.

Go For Consultations

One of the best ways to ensure that everything goes smooth while your siding is installed is to ask about your concerns. Sure, you might not know about some specific details but it never hurts to ask around. Check out some contractor’s website or your local contractor and inquire about the best type of siding that can be installed for your home. You’d be surprised at how helpful these sessions can be in the planning stage.

Look For the Best Contractor

Lastly, your siding installation can only be deemed adequate if you get the right contractor for the job. It’s not an easy task since these people have to make sure that your house components are safe and productive after it’s done. Therefore, unreliable contractors can only cause trouble in the long run because you will have to repeat some procedures over again when there is untimely deterioration. Take note that a siding is not merely for the sake of how your house looks. It does serve its purpose of providing some sort of protection so one can never be too careful about choosing the right kind of service.


So are you one of those who plan to have siding installed in your home? Remember these tips and everything might just go smoothly. Siding contractors, with the help of them you can improve your home.
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