Keeping the neighbors happy during your Chicago residential roofing job

Everyone has a story about a Chicago residential roofing job gone wrong – from the neighbors’ side. If it isn't tales about flat tires from roofing nails, or material waste blowing over into gardens – it’s complaints about work starting too early and the road being blocked. This doesn't have to be. There are some small and easy steps you and your contractor can take to help keep everyone happy while you get your roof, and get the job done on time.

Keeping the neighbor happy is your job

The last thing you need to deal with when your life is already disrupted by a roofing job are irate neighbors complaining. They can complain to you, the police and the town board depending on what is going on. While there are standards of professional conduct that any Chicago residential roofing contractor will operate by, keeping the neighbors happy is your job. There is a lot you can do to make sure that work gets done without complaint.

Let the contractor know if there are work limits

You know your neighborhood better than anyone else, therefore you will know the hours when work can occur. While many Chicago residential roofing contractors prefer to start as early in the day as possible to avoid the heat, they can also accommodate a later start time. A later start time may extend the length of the job as the contractors will most likely stop working at the same time as an earlier start because of safety concerns for their crews. Depending on the work crew and the neighborhood, you may have to set other work limits. This can be especially important if you are in a school zone or another protected area. Remember that if the crew gets in trouble, work stops and you don't get your roof.

Check with your town about parking issues

There are two different types of permits your Chicago residential roofing job will have. The first is for the work itself—in which your contractor may assume responsibility for that permit, but you may have to get it yourself. The second, depending on where you live in Chicago, is a work parking permit. This allows you to partially block parking spaces during the course of the work to allow for trucks and worker parking.

Make sure to notify the neighbors

It can go miles to keep good relations with your neighbor if you let them know in advance to expect workers at your home. You can state the hours they are working, give them your cell number in case there is a problem and inform them of any parking issues that will be occurring. If you had to get permits for work parking for your Chicago residential roofing job, be sure to mention that to your neighbors. The more you are perceived as proactive in protecting them from disruption, the more forgiving your neighbors will be for any that occur. 

Be extra certain about the clean up
The cleanup for any Chicago residential roofing job is going to have to be a mutual effort between you and the contractor. Make sure that before the job begins the contractor has a solid idea of what you expect in the cleanup. Be aware that some forms of cleanup may incur extra labor costs. If you want to avoid that, do the extra cleaning after the contractor leaves. Just make sure you are there when they leave so that in between none of your neighbors runs over a nail.

For more information visit: Chicago Residential Roofing
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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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When to repair, and when to replace a roof

When you have a problem with your roof it is always stressful as you wait for your Lake Forest roof contractor to visit and determine whether it can be repaired or if the whole roof needs to be replaced. There are signs you can spot to better prepare yourself for the job at hand. This will also let you better manage your repair budget as you will know when to repair and when to replace the roof.

Look for the signs of repair-worthy damage

It can be hard to spot the signs that a roof needs repair, but if you make inspecting your roof a part of your seasonal maintenance, you will find signs before a big problem is created and warrants replacement. Leaking is the biggest sign, but often you have to get in under the roof to spot small leaks. If it is leaking into the house proper, you probably need to replace the roof. You should also examine the roof and caulk for signs that it is dried out, peeled off or flaking—that is something you can easily patch.

Look for the signs that replacement is needed

The signs that a roof needs to be replaced are easy to spot. Any Chicago residential roofing contractor can rattle off the list for you. The list includes signs of buckling or peeling in the shingle and siding of the home near the roof. Another telltale sign is getting asphalt dust in your gutters. This means the adhesive on the tile coating is giving out and is a sure sign you need a new roof.

 

Understand the cost and recovery

No matter whether you are getting a repair or replacement estimate from any of the Lake Forest roof contractors it is going to be a bit of an expense. When you consider that the average new roof job costs about $25,000, it is well worth it as it will add $12,500 to the resale value of your home—a good investment in your future. Many times, home owners think they can avoid the cost of a roof job because they plan to sell, but the buyer will make having the job a condition of the sale. It is better that you maintain the roof, and replace it if necessary, while you are still living in the house rather than at the moment of sale. A poor roof can lead to a lot of damage later. 

The layers make the difference

Depending on the condition of your roof, you may be able to do a repair or new installation using a minimum of layers. The more layers on a roof, the more expensive it will be. What you shouldn't do is skimp on the material in the layer. Don't choose a 10 pound single layer over the 30 pound to save money. Always make sure that your layers are of top quality, even if you are only installing one. Low quality layers will break down faster and it will be like paying to do the job twice.

Choose wisely

You need to become an educated consumer when it comes to roofing. Any Chicago roofing contractor can help you to decide what you need. They stay in business by having a reputation of being fair, don't hesitate to ask for their opinion and advice. A roof can have a long lifespan, but they do wear out. Keeping up with regular roof maintenance is the best way to prevent problems, and to spot the need for a new roof before it also becomes a demolition job. 

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Giving Your Home a Hug

When you have roofing and siding needs, consider Custom Installations.

The roof provides the most protection from Chicagoland weather. There are a few hundred contractors available to work on your roof. Consider us the preeminent Chicago Roofing and Siding contractor.
We don’t merely cover your roof; we evaluate its construction and make necessary changes to your roof structure. Sometimes that means installing attic baffles, roof vents, or soffit vents to provide appropriate ventilation and airflow - making that roof last many years.

We look also at the roof deck. Mold is a major problem in older housing, and the Chicago area has much of that. We evaluate the deck that must hold the roofing materials. Where necessary, we’ll strengthen it.
Roofing comes in many shapes and sizes. Older homes with slate roofs are not easy to repair and when they leak, finding the source of the leak isn’t easy. It takes knowledge of the product to be successful. New slate roofs take extra care, as there are several thicknesses, and the ability of the roof deck to accommodate the weight becomes important. The same is true of tile roofing.

Cedar roofing is attractive and effective, but must be applied with extreme care. There are several grades to choose from and they have different lengths of life. Asphalt shingles are more common, but even they have variances and differences in the warranties.

We also have experience with metal roofing. It’s great for snow removal, but has its own set of challenges.
No matter the type of roofing selected, we have the expertise to handle it. This includes the selection and handling of the underlayment, flashings, and accessories necessary to install a sound roofing system.
The same is true when considering siding. There are many options for siding, including vinyl, aluminum, fiber cement, cedar, and metal. Custom Installations is proud to be Chicago’s leading Lake Forest roof contractors.

Vinyl is the most common form of siding for both new and existing homes. It is low-cost and highly durable. It is flexible in the wind and not subject to damage at low-level impacts. The thicker the vinyl, the more the protection.

Aluminum siding is a little older and equally beautiful. Available in a wide variety of colors, it’s less flexible, yet highly durable.

Steel siding is similar to aluminum, yet adds a level of durability and sturdiness.

Fiber cement siding provides the best return on investment. It is durable, resistant to several maladies such as fire and insects, can take paint (either at the factory or on the job site), and requires little maintenance.
Cedar siding continues to be very popular. It’s very rustic, can be stained several colors, and can last for at least a half century. At Custom Installations, we have decades of experience with it.

There are many considerations for siding, including the style of your home and neighborhood, home aesthetics, the current construction of your house, and budget.

We’re licensed, bonded, and certified to do the work you need. When it comes to Chicago residential roofing ,we have the tools, we have the experience, and we have what you need.

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Your Roof Is the Crown of Your Kingdom

The U.S. Government has identified thirty-three distinct and unique job titles that apply to the roofing industry? Merely calling an installer a “roofer” is woefully inadequate. We have roofer designations for aluminum, asbestos, composition, gravel, gypsum, hot tar, metal, asphalt shingles, cedar shingles, slate, tile, and tin. There are several job classifications: cool roofing, industrial, metals roofing mechanic, residential, roof service technicians, roofing applicators, and an assortment of apprenticeships that apply to the roofing business.

Thirty unique tasks for doing the job have been identified, ranging from “apply alternate layers of hot asphalt or tar and roofing paper to roofs” to “install solar roofing systems that have energy-collecting photovoltaic panels built into roofing membranes, shingles, or tiles." Even the erection, use, and disassembly of scaffolding are listed.

There are many kinds of roof designs, unfortunately not standardized in description: flat roofs, terrace, shed, gable, saltbox, clerestory (light-admitting), hipped, half-hipped, Dutch gable, Skillion (lean-to), Gambrel, gull wing, Mansard, bell-cast, saw-tooth, monitor, and butterfly. You may have no interest in a thatched roof, but you may have dormers on your home—wall, blind, gallery. There are variations on many of these, as well.
The roofing task isn’t simply the application of tarpaper and asphalt shingles. Some Chicago roofing companies can handle most of the tasks and various roof designs, but not many can handle them all.
Enter Custom Installations.

There are many roofing concerns working in the Chicago and Midwest area. When considering a roof installation, know that the cities we serve begin with Addison and stretch all the way to Zion. Complete a coverage in the greater Chicago area ... literally from A to Z.
A roof is a crown of glory to your home or business, but it is worthless if the work is shoddy or performed with less than the necessary experience. Custom Installations has been around since 1969. It’s a family business and prides itself in the quality of its installation. Angie’s List, a national rating service, objectively places Custom Installations among the most competent, most highly trusted roofing and gutter concerns in the nation.

A quality roof installation is the cap on your energy expenses. It boosts energy efficiency and enhances the appearance and value of your property. It also defeats the leakage and mold problems most Chicago land homes experience during periods of rough weather
.
Custom Installations performs at a high level. We start by knowing the products and recommending the appropriate solution for the job. You can buy anything cheap from less reputable roofers, but we select products that provide the best quality and utility for the money.

We understand the construction of roofs, particularly the need for airflow. Often it’s important to improve the ventilation of a roof area as a means to gain the most efficient usage of the roofing materials used.
We help to control rot, warping, and mold on your property using the knowledge and the skills to properly prepare your roof. Products and trims work together. Custom Installations has the experience to ensure that the various parts of the roof installation are compatible and have relatively equal useful lives.

You can find many Chicago roofing companies, but you won’t find any firm that does the job as well as Custom Installation.



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Regulating the Roofing Trade

In the United States, regulation of the roofing trade is assigned to individual states. Most have a contractor’s licensing board, and Illinois is no different. It’s called the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR), and among its mandates is the licensing and certification of Chicago roofing contractors.
There is a written roofing test within the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act. If you’d like to read the law, you can find it at www.idfpr.com. According to the IDFPR website, “these examinations have been subjected to strict psychometric controls and reviewed by a panel of roofing professionals.” A candidate must have a mark of 70% to pass.

There are two forms of licensure. The first is the residential license, which is limited to that form of construction. The commercial and industrial licensing examination covers unlimited forms of construction. In order to sit for the license, the applicant must have verifiable experience, employment and education.
The study materials have been developed by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), and are available at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com.

The examination covers these areas:

•    Safety and employee protection
•    General roofing preparations, decks, and membranes
•    Roofing materials and steep-slope systems
•    Low slope roofing systems  (design guidelines, reroofing, moisture control, and repair)
•    Measurement and estimating
•    Non-residential roofing systems (metal roofing, rigid board roof insulation, spray polyurethane foam, waterproofing, and dampproofing.

It is necessary to have the residential license before being able to sit for the commercial and industrial license examination. The total written examination will be 75 questions (residential) or 125 questions (industrial/commercial). A sample questiion:

Which of these is recommended when the third pin on the plug of a power tools is missing?

A.    Have the tool removed and repaired before it is used again.
B.    Insert a temporary pin into the plug as a safety measure.
C.    Use the tool only when it is plugged into a GSCI receptacle.
D.    Use the tool only when it is plugged into a double-insulated cord.

Custom Installations, a Chicago roofing contractor, goes by the book. We follow the rules, not only for our safety, but your safety, too! At Custom Installations, we are licensed and have 45 years of experience in doing it right. We do not fear building inspectors. We work with them.

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