As a homeowner, chances are you don’t spend too much time thinking about your roof. Unfortunately, you have started to notice a small leak in the kitchen, or a few shingles seem damaged, and you know it’s finally time to contact local roofing contractors.
However, how do you find the best roofing company in Brooklyn, NY, that understands your needs and can meet your budget? Just follow these simple tips, and you will find the ideal roofing contractor in New York for you.
Do I Need a New Roof or Roof Repairs?
Your roof leaks and you have some noticeable damage, but does this mean you need an entirely new roof, or should you save your money and opt for roofing repairs instead?
Signs You Need Roof Repairs
A roofing repair is typically the more affordable choice. If you are on a budget, you might wonder if Brooklyn roofing contractors can perform quick and easy repairs or if a replacement is warranted.
If the roofing damage is minor, cosmetic, and concentrated in one area, you might be able to save money with a roofing repair. If the roof is newer and under a manufacturer’s or contractor’s warranty, and the repairs will be covered by this warranty, you should definitely opt for a roof repair instead.
Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Brooklyn, NY, Roof
Here is the real question that all homeowners dread: Is it time for a roof replacement? If you are experiencing a combination of these factors, chances are it is time to contact a roofing business for a free estimate on a total roof replacement:
The roof’s age. If the roof is past its time, it is definitely time for an upgrade. Be aware that the average asphalt shingles last around 10 to 25 years. A metal roof can last a lifetime, but if the system suffers severe damage, an upgrade is sometimes warranted.
Severe interior water damage, especially on the top floor or attic. Is there severe water damage on your upper floors, particularly damage to the ceiling? This is a telltale sign of a failing roof, and it is time to contact contractors in Brooklyn, NY, to have the roof replaced.
Higher heating bills. Are your energy bills, particularly your heating bills, skyrocketing in the winter? Heat rises, and if your roofing needs serious repairs, all that heat will escape. In addition to a new roof, ask your contractor about upgrading your insulation and other ways you can lower your energy bills.
Missing shingles, fascia, and gutter guards. Suppose there is severe damage to the roof, including several missing shingles and damage to the gutter guards and fascia. In that case, you need to have your roof replaced ASAP to avoid any interior water damage.
Still aren’t sure if you can save money by having your roof repaired rather than an entire roof replacement? Give our team a call, and we can provide you with free estimates on roofing repairs and roof replacements.
How Do I Locate a Reliable Roofer In the Brooklyn Area?
You still aren’t sure if you need a whole new roof or a few simple roof repairs, but know for sure that you definitely need to hire professional contractors in Brooklyn, NY, to look at it. How do you find a reputable, established roofing contractor that will offer you a fair price and quality service?
The best place to start any search for a qualified roofing contractor is to peruse the internet. Look for reviews of the contractors. Did the New York roofers provide excellent communication? Did the team provide quality work and construction services?
Allow the experiences and opinions of other New York homeowners to guide you in making the best decision on your future projects.
Ask the Roofing Contractors the Right Questions
You have finally narrowed down your options, but you want to truly find the best roofing contractors in Brooklyn, NY, who can handle your home improvement project. A simple tactic to narrow down your options and find the ideal contractor is asking the right questions.
Here are several questions you need to ask the top roofing contractors in your area to ensure you find the right company for your budget and requirements:
What is the Best Roofing Material for My Home and Budget?
There are several roofing options available, and understanding which option is the correct choice for your home and pocketbook is critical. Many homeowners still choose asphalt shingles because the product is relatively inexpensive to have installed.
Many New York homeowners are beginning to see the benefits of choosing metal roofing systems. Metal roofing is durable, easy to maintain, and in many cases, will last for several decades. However, be aware that metal roofing is far more expensive than asphalt shingles, so you need to factor in the cost of materials and installation before making a final decision.
What Is the Price-Per-Square-Foot to Replace My Roof?
When it comes to replacing your entire roof, you might be surprised to learn all the options are available. Asphalt shingles, metal roofing systems, and other options, including wood shingles or composite shingle roofs, come in a variety of colors.
Ask for the average price per square foot of every option. Your contractor will provide you with various choices at different price points and discuss the pros and cons of each option.
What Is Your Experience in the Roofing Industry?
Finding a quality roofing company in Kings County that has only been in business for a couple of years is possible. However, wouldn’t you rather work with roofing companies in Brooklyn, NY, that are established, experienced, and have a proven track record?
Look for a contractor that has been in business for several years and can provide you with a fair, honest, transparent, free estimate.
Is Your Roofing Company Fully Licensed and Insured?
Always work with a roofer that is fully licensed through the state of New York and is comprehensively insured. At a minimum, quality roofing companies should have workers’ compensation, business liability insurance, commercial property insurance, and business interruption insurance.
Are You a Local Roofing Company?
Several major, massive roofing companies work with independent contractors across the United States. Unfortunately, while many of these companies often offer a better price and the promise of the best service in New York, you won’t always be impressed with the finished product.
This is because these major, national roofing companies cannot offer you the same personalized service as a company that is based in the Brooklyn, NY, area. Always hire local roofers if you want the best customer care in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Manhattan, New York.
What Brand of Roofing Materials Will You Install on My Home?
Familiarize yourself with the best roofing brands in the business, including Atlas, Owens Corning, Tamko, Worthouse, McElroy Metals, and several others. Ask potential contractors which manufacturers they work with and support. Always choose providers that are familiar with the best manufacturers in the roofing industry.
Can You Provide Me With References?
Finally, one of the simplest but most profound questions you can ask any service provider, including roofing in New York, is to provide you with references from former, satisfied customers. Any reputable roofing company will be very happy to give you a list of clients who will brag about their new roof or quality roof repairs.
What Safety Precautions Do You Take?
The safety of you, your family, your home, and the company’s employees should be a top priority. Don’t hesitate to ask about the safety precautions and protocols that the company takes while their crew is installing or repairing your roof.
For example, the team should be able to tell you how their machinery and tools are organized and their safety protocols and provide you with a plan of action should one of their employees become injured.
When Can I Schedule an Appointment?
If you feel comfortable and the company has a good reputation, feel free to ask for an appointment. During this appointment, a representative should perform a thorough walkthrough of your property and take preliminary measurements of the roof.
Once the walkthrough is finished, the rep should sit down with you and give you a detailed estimate of the cost of labor and materials.
The Right Roofing Company Offers Financing and Warranties!
The overall cost to have your entire roof replaced can cost anywhere between $15,000 and $26,000. The cost is dependent on several factors, including the roofing materials, contractor prices, time of year, and the size of your roof.
Unfortunately, paying for a new roof upfront isn’t feasible for many homeowners. If you need a new roof or extensive repairs and do not have enough cash on hand, ask about financing. Several roofers in the Brooklyn area will offer roofing financing to well-qualified homeowners.
Financing is a great way to pay for your roof over time and ensure that if you have a failing roof, you can avoid unnecessary damage to your home’s interior.
Whether you require financing or not, you should always inquire about the warranty offered by both the roofing material manufacturer and the contractor. For example, a standard roofing manufacturer’s warranty, which covers defective shingles, a contractor’s warranty, and an extended warranty are commonly offered to homeowners.
How Do I Know if a Roofer Is Reliable?
Most Brooklyn roofers are reputable, knowledgeable, will provide great customer service, and will do a fantastic job repairing or replacing your roof. Unfortunately, there are a few proverbial bad apples out there, and there are often obvious signs that a contractor is not a dependable professional.
Here are a handful of the most common roofing red flags to watch out for:
The Company Will Push For a Replacement Instead of a Repair
It is always advisable to obtain at least three to four estimates before hiring a roofer. If three of the four roofing contractors recommend repairing your roof, and one of the contractors is pushing you toward replacing your roof, use caution.
A reputable roofer will be honest with you about the state of your roof and will not insist on a roofing replacement with top-of-the-line expensive products in order to make a quick profit.
Check out the Website
Does the website seem unprofessional, or doesn’t even exist? Watch out for roofers that have a website that is constantly “under construction,” doesn’t feature pictures of past jobs, or worse, doesn’t exist at all. A quality roofing contractor will have an easy-to-read, professional website.
Always Read the Fine Print
Reputable contractors will always offer free estimates on the overall cost of your roof repair or replacement. The contract should be transparent and easy to understand, and you should be under no obligation to sign anything at that moment.
If there is a lot of fine print, or you are having trouble deciphering the estimate, take this as a serious red flag.
The Best Company Offers Warranties on Their Work
Any reputable company will stand behind its work, which includes offering you a warranty on its labor. Use caution with a company that does not believe in the quality of its construction and the quality of materials it uses.
You Feel Pressured to Sign the Contract Immediately
Unfortunately, using pressure and coercion is a common practice for unscrupulous companies who want to make a sale and do not care about the quality of their work and the satisfaction of their clients. A highly-regarded, respected company will always work with you to find a fair price and create a contract you feel comfortable with.
Watch Out For Companies That Only Accept Cash
An established roofing contractor will accept several different types of payments for their services, including cash and credit cards, and will, in many cases, offer financing. Be aware of companies that only accept cash. Always get a receipt if you are paying any contractor or company cash for their services.
No Physical Address or Business Phone Number.
Believe it or not, several roofing companies operate out of their spare bedroom or garage instead of a physical business address. These companies are typically not established, do not carry the proper licensing and insurance, and are only trying to make a quick buck.
Always work with a roofing contractor and company with a physical address, business phone number, professional website, and several excited, satisfied customers.
Will My Homeowner’s Insurance Cover the Cost of Roofing Repairs or Replacement?
Your roof is in terrible shape, and you aren’t sure how you are going to pay for the replacement or repairs. At this point, you are most likely asking yourself a critical question: Will my homeowner’s insurance cover the cost of the roofing repairs or replacement?
Unfortunately, in most cases, the answer to this question is “No.” The majority of insurance companies will only pay for the cost of roofing repairs or a total replacement if the damage was caused by an act of nature or a natural disaster.
For example, if your shingles were torn off during a nasty storm or a tree fell on the roof, you can file a claim with your insurance provider. If the roof is old and needs to be replaced after normal wear and tear, in most cases, the replacement will not be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy.
Should I Replace My Own Roof?
Are you the type of homeowner that always tackles their own DIY projects? Are you proud of the deck you built or the basement you painted? You handled those jobs, so you should be able to replace your own roof, right? Before you try to tackle this trick job yourself, here are a few of the many reasons why you should always leave a roof replacement to the professionals:
Are You Familiar With Local Building Codes?
Like every other state and city, Brooklyn and New York have several building codes that you must follow. At the very least, you must obtain the proper permits to replace your roof. If you hire a professional roofer, you can rest assured that the company will obtain all the proper permits to complete the upgrade legally.
Get Ready to Pay For Specialized Tools and Equipment.
From roofing nail guns to air compressors, shingle removers, and hot air welding torches, you will require several specialized and expensive tools depending on the type of roofing materials you are installing. Instead of purchasing all these tools for a one-time job, save your money and hire a professional instead.
You Need A Workmanship Warranty
Finally, when you hire a professional to completely replace your existing roof, you will be provided a workmanship warranty. This warranty covers the work performed on your roof. This means that if there is any issue with the workmanship, any repairs to your roof will be covered.
Unfortunately, if you install the roof yourself, you cannot enjoy the peace of mind that comes with this warranty.
Contact the Professionals at Smart Roofers NY
Do you need a whole new roof or simply need a few shingles replaced? No matter what the scope or complexity of your roofing job in Brooklyn, NY, the team at Smart Roofers NY, has got you covered.
In addition to residential roofing repairs and replacement, including flat roof and commercial roofing repairs and replacement, we offer a wide variety of other services.
Services We Offer
Gutter Repair and Gutter Cleaning
Whether you are having your old roof replaced and want gutter installation or need your current gutters cleaned or repaired, we can service, clean, and repair your entire gutter system.
Brick Work
Many Brooklyn, NY, homeowners are proud of their stone or brick exterior and want to ensure they work with the best home improvement and siding companies in New York. At Smart Roofers NY, we can handle your brick installation or repair project.
Siding Installation
Do you want to upgrade your siding to state-of-the-art, quality aluminum, vinyl, or wood? In addition to installing new siding on your Brooklyn home, we also offer a wide variety of other siding and exterior services, including:
Stucco Services
Many New York homeowners are opting for stucco because of its unique, timeless appearance. Whether you want to install stucco on your home’s exterior or need the stucco work on your home’s interior upgraded or repaired, we have got you covered.
Give the Professionals at Smart Roofers NY A Call!
If you want to work with a professional team and a locally owned and operated business that has been proudly serving the Brooklyn, NY, area for years, look no further than the crew at Smart Roofers NY. We are a fully licensed, full-service company that provides much more than roofing repairs.
From new construction projects to stucco repair, we can repair, paint, fix, upgrade, or handle any home remodeling project on your Brooklyn, NY, property.
Smart Roofers NY Reviews
I Needed My Flat Roof Replaced as Fast as Possible
“The flat roof on my commercial property was peeling and falling apart. I contacted several roofing contractors in the Brooklyn area, including Royal Renovators INC. Their automated technology wasn’t working because no one got back to me. I called Smart Roofers instead. They did an excellent job at a reasonable price. The old roof was torn off in a matter of hours, and the new system looks great.” – Winnie K
If You Need Roofing Services, Call Smart Roofers NY
“If you want a company with reasonable pricing that genuinely cares about customer satisfaction, contact Smart Roofers. Their roofing work was excellent, and the project manager was always available. If you live in the Bronx area and want to hire one of the best roofing companies around that services popular locations, call Smart Roofers.” – Danielle C
My Staten Island, NY, Home Remodeling Project Was in Serious Trouble
“Beyond needing an immediate roof repair, I also needed gutter installation, stucco repair, and several other small home improvement projects completed. It is hard to find roofing contractors who also offer quality construction services, as well. The team at Smart Roofers is owned/operated in the Staten Island, NY, area. They gave me a fair price, with the pricing of the roof included.” – Sue M
I Needed My Exterior and Deck Painted in Florham Park
“Beyond needing roofing services in the Brooklyn, NY, area, I also needed a company that could paint my home’s exterior and deck, which was a huge job. I contacted several amazing roofing contractors in Brooklyn, including Royal Renovators INC, that offered “business free estimates and warranties on their work.” Smart Roofers ticked all my boxes, and their customer satisfaction was top notch too!” – Terry D
I Got 11 Free Estimates on My Brooklyn, NY, Roofing Job
“I think I have the record for free estimates for roofing work, home remodeling, and gutter cleaning in the Brooklyn area. I wanted to make sure I worked with the best contractor in my area because I knew the roofing repairs would be expensive and extensive. Smart Roofers gave me a fair price and did an amazing job.” – Renata R
My Roof Leaks Vanished, and I Was Able to Host My Daughter’s Graduation Party in Bronx, NY
“I had several roof leaks across my house, and the damage was becoming very extensive. I knew I needed an immediate roof repair, or unfortunately, I might even need a whole new roof. I called the team from Smart Roofers, and a representative came right away. I was offered a fair price and financing, which meant I could have the new roof installed right away.” – Mario C
My Gutters and Siding Needed To Be Replaced Immediately
“The gutters and siding on my property were severely damaged, dirty, and needed to be torn out and completely replaced. I was thinking about doing this myself but then realized how much more cost-effective it would be to outsource this job. I contacted the crew from Smart Roofers, and they gave me a very fair quote for the cost of labor and materials. The gutters look amazing, and I am so happy with the finished product.” – Wanda E
I was Looking for the Best Roofing Contractors Near Me in Brooklyn
“I was looking for a reputable roofing contractor near me to replace a 40 year old roof on Kings Highway and Avenue M, and I heard great things about Smart Roofers. Mike was extremely helpful and gave me a free estimate right away. The price and timeline for the job were both fair, and the team did an exceptional job. I’m beyond satisfied with the quality of work.” – Omar B
