There is no doubt about it, if you want to re-roof the smart way, you will hire a professional roofer. Many homeowners are unaware of the fact that building permits are required to re-roof and will sometimes try to undertake the project themselves, thinking that they will save money. Instead, they find that they may be fined and did not have the knowledge to perform the job accurately. If you are a homeowner and need to re-roof, it is best to hire a roofing contractor who is licensed and has plenty of experience. There are many strict building codes that must be followed when re-roofing and the best way to ensure that these rules are followed correctly is to hire a professional roofer.
It is also important to realize that re-roofing is costly and many times you can delay the need to completely re-roof if you devise a preventative maintenance plan. By repairing leaks and damage as it occurs, you may be able to delay the need for re-roofing. However, when the time comes to completely re-roof, you should begin the process by having a professional roofing contractor perform a complete inspection of your roof. Your roof will also need to be inspected by a building inspector. If you are planning on performing the work yourself, you will still need to obtain permits and have the roof thoroughly inspected before you can begin.
Since many homeowners feel that the simplest way to re-roof is to lay a new roof over the existing one, they may be surprised to discover that the building inspector determines this option. The building inspector will let the homeowner or roofing contractor know which materials are approved for re-roofing. The first step to ensure that your roofing project is completed accurately is to contact your local building/permit and zoning office for information regarding the steps that you need to take to comply with your local laws.
