What to Expect from RoofSmart's Repair Process

Have you ever wondered what exactly goes into getting a new roof installed and how to ensure it’s done right? Are you unhappy with the lack of transparency from roofing companies on exactly what goes into getting a roof repaired or replaced? If you’re about to get a new roof and you’re unsure what even goes into this process then you’ve come to the right place!

Just in the last 18 months, my team at RoofSmart has completed 480 roof replacements and repairs, which means that we have explained our process many times. My team of certified experts is committed to making sure you know what to expect every step of the way. It is important to me that everyone is informed about what to expect so that there is no more confusion on your end.

In this article, I will guide you through the entire roof replacement process, from the initial inspection to the final steps after installing the roof, ensuring you know exactly what to expect at every stage. You will also learn what the customer should be doing during these steps.

What Needs to be Done Before the Roofing Project Starts?

In order to get the process started, we must first hear from a customer who wants to set up an inspection for their roof and then we will send an estimator (aka a Meticulous Roofing Nerd) out to meet with them.

During the inspection, we make sure to ask plenty of questions and openly communicate with the customer. Your Nerd will:

• Ask you what you want and need for your roof
• Inspect the attic for signs of mold, damage, and any other issues that will negatively impact the quality of the roof
• Inspect the roof by either physically going up or by using a drone (typically the estimator will go on the roof, but they might choose to use a drone instead if they believe it is unsafe to be on the roof for any reason)
• Take pictures of the attic and roof for our records and to ensure that everyone is on the same page
• Provide you with a proposal at the end and talk through what they found

Your proposal is tailored specifically to match your requests. Your Nerd will go through the bid piece by piece with you and make adjustments if needed.

What happens after the proposal is accepted?

After your proposal is accepted the scheduling and prep work kicks into gear. First, the new roofing job is placed on our schedule. Then our production team will get the shingles you picked out and any other materials needed for the roof ordered and sent directly to your house. Those arrive as close as possible to the start date of the project, usually the night before or the morning of.

For the most part, the prep work will be up to Roofsmart, but there are a few steps that you should take as well. First, after the proposal is accepted, we will ask that you pay 30% upfront.

Next, before the project starts, you will receive an email with a lot of important information on preparing for the project. This includes instructions to move statues, plants, and flower pots that are kept close to the house inside or very far away from the house to avoid damage.

If there is something out there that you cannot move but still needs to be protected, you should let us know ahead of time so that we can take precautions. We use tarps and plywood as needed to protect your property.

We also recommend notifying your neighbors that you will be getting work done on your roof so that there are no surprises when the crew shows up and gets started.

What Happens During a Roofing Project?

Repairs and Replacements

On the morning your project begins the crew conducts a pre-job inspection. They will do the following:

• Review the photos taken during the initial inspection to make sure that everyone knows what needs to be accomplished during the repair or replacement
• Review what the roof should look like by the end of the job
• If needed, the crew will lay out tarps, plywood, or any other materials that might be needed to protect the property.

After that, they will get started working on your roof. For a repair, they will focus on the area that is causing issues with the roof. For a replacement, they will tear off the old roof and replace the new one.

There are numerous repairs and extra steps that might need to happen during a replacement. This process can vary quite a bit depending on how we are catering to the individual needs of you and your roof.

For example, repairs may need to be made to the attic area. It is common that the plywood underneath the shingles needs to be replaced because it is damaged or moldy, so new ones will need to be put in before the new shingles can go on. Or maybe you would like a skylight added to your roof, or you need more bath vents installed.

Most of these extra things will be discussed during the initial stages when you and your Meticulous Roofing Nerd form the proposal together. If anything unexpected comes up while our crew is working on your roof, a member of our production team will call you right away to discuss your options for addressing the issue.

How will this impact yard accessibility?

There will be several vehicles and trailers parked on or around your property while the crews are at work. It is best to park on the street so that you do not get blocked into your garage and to move any trailers or RVs from the street so that we have immediate access to your property.

We bring our own port-a-potties to and from the job each day to avoid having lots of traffic coming in and out of your house. Instead of using dumpsters, we bring our dump trailers to dispose of old shingles.

This means that at the end of the work day, the trailers will be removed and there will not have to be a dumpster sitting in your yard for several days. We also make sure to take some time to clean up in and around our workspace at the end of each day.

Communicating with RoofSmart

You might be wondering how you’ll communicate with the RoofSmart team if you have questions about your project. And you likely want to know who on our team should be reaching out to you if there are updates that might impact the overall cost.

One way we keep you updated on the project while it is happening is by leaving a door hanger on the front door that gives an update on how many days are left in the project, what the crew worked on that day, and what materials were used. This keeps you informed throughout the project without you needing to be at home.

The most common way that we will get ahold of you is by phone. You will be called directly by our production manager or production coordinator if any changes need to be made that vary from the proposal.

What to Expect After a Roof Replacement or Repair

On the very last day of the roof repair or replacement, the crew will do a thorough sweep of your property and clean up any stray materials so that the only evidence of our time there is a beautiful new roof. You can make a punch list to use if you would like to check out the new roof on your own.

After that, the office will reach out to you to schedule a final walk-through with a manager from the production team. During this time, you’ll have the opportunity to address any concerns from the punch list and ask any final questions.

Then, the final bill is then sent out to you. If you’re financing your roof, that paperwork will be finalized and sent out to you. The warranties, both from RoofSmart and the shingle manufacturer will be registered by RoofSmart and you will be sent a copy.

Afterward, you’re free to enjoy your new roof! It is important to note that you’ll be responsible for keeping up with maintenance.

How can I schedule an inspection with RoofSmart?

So, there it is. No more need to feel confused about what will happen when your roof is repaired or replaced because now you’ve gone through every step. You are now familiar with RoofSmart’s specific process. Though there may be some small differences, this process is similar to what you can expect from other roofing companies as well.

You can now feel relaxed and confident when having your roof repaired or replaced because you know exactly what RoofSmart will do and what you’ll need to do every step of the way.

Now that you’re familiar with our process, the next step is to get started with an inspection: simply give us a call at (206) 487-4877 or fill out this short form to contact us and get the process started today. We look forward to helping you with your roofing needs!