With careful preparation and meticulous planning, you can keep your roof replacement project on schedule. Unfortunately, one significant planning mistake is all it takes to set your project timeline back. That’s why it’s important for homeowners to have an idea of the common causes of roofing project delays.
In this guide, the exterior and interior design experts at Evergreen Renovations & Roofing shares some tips on how to avoid delays and keep your project on track.
Common Causes of Project Delays
Common causes of delays include:
- Bad weather – The most common cause of project delays is bad weather. Moisture is quite problematic for roofing projects, as lingering moisture can affect your new roof’s performance. Not to mention moisture creates a damp environment that’s the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can quickly affect other parts of your home. To minimize the risk of delays stemming from any untoward weather, homeowners usually schedule their roof replacement projects in summer.
- Underlying roofing issues – You can’t completely rule out the possibility there may be underlying roofing issues that need to be fixed before your new roof is installed. A common undetected roofing issue is deck rotting. Before the installation of your new roof starts, contractors will assess the roof decking by inspecting the attic for signs of damage. However, this method isn’t completely accurate, which is why when the roof is torn off, your roofing contractor may still find signs of rot. Fortunately, if your roof is routinely maintained by a professional roofing contractor, it’s unlikely that your roof has undetected issues.
- Change orders – Change orders are modifications made to the original scope of the project after construction behinds. There are several instances where you’ll need to make a few change orders, but it’s best to minimize them to avoid delays.
- Miscommunication – A roofing replacement, or any home improvement project for that matter, is essentially a collaboration between you and your contractor. That’s why clear and constant communication is key to a project’s success. To minimize misunderstandings, it’s important to schedule a consultation with your roofing contractor before the start of the project and to hire a roofer you can trust.
Planning Tips
Still in the planning stages of your roof replacement? Here are some planning tips:
- Schedule a consultation with your contractor as soon as possible – Summer is the best time to pursue a roof replacement or a home exterior design project. However, it’s also the time when demand for contractor services is at its highest. The earlier you can schedule a consultation with a contractor in summer, the better.
- Always vet a contractor before hiring them – It’s tempting to skip the vetting process for contractors, especially if you’re pressed for time. However, failure to vet a roofer will likely result in delays stemming from costly installation errors. Here’s a vetting tip: it’s best to hire local roofing contractors. Not only are they easier to vet, but they can also make better recommendations because of their familiarity with your area’s climate and the local building codes.
- Take into account the shipping time for roofing materials – Ordering roofing materials from a manufacturer takes time. That’s why you should take into account the shipping time for materials. Here’s a tip: roofers certified by reputable manufacturers such as GAF® are more familiar with how long it takes to a manufacturer to ship certain roofing materials, so they can help you plan a more detailed and realistic timeline.
- Avoid getting too preoccupied with the costs – It’s important to stay within your budget, but you shouldn’t get too preoccupied with the costs. Focus instead on how you can maximize the returns on investment from a roof replacement or home exterior remodel project.
Looking for certified roofers in your area?
Evergreen Renovations & Roofing, a GAF-certified roofer with over a decade of experience, offers professional roofing and remodeling services, including exterior and interior renovations. To start your project, call us or fill out this form.
