Should I hire a roofing professional?

As we enter April and begin to see the economic effects of the global pandemic, homeowners across North America and beyond may be feeling tempted to take on their own home improvement projects.  As professional roofers, we feel it's our job to educate the public and our community as best we can on this topic so that they can "keep the roof over their head".  We know not everyone will listen to our advice - but if it stops just one person from ruining their house and having to deal with a costly insurance claim (that they may not even be covered for), then we'll feel like it's worth it!

Other professionals as well as roofing companies near me and within my professional community have seen and dealt with many roof repair and maintenance projects, as well as new construction projects.  While a lot of these projects can be straightforward - this is generally not the case.  This is especially true when it comes to replacing an old roof. 

Some of the risks that you'd be taking on when you choose to do your roofing project yourself involve:

1. Potentially hurting yourself.  This should be obvious - but it's not the safest thing to be up on your roof.  Professionals have the right tools and equipment to minimize the risks involved with this, and they're covered through Worksafe BC should anything happen.  This is not the case if you choose to take the do-it-yourself route.  You could end up endangering not only your body, but also your livelihood.  At the end of the day this could cost you much more than simply hiring a professional roofer to complete your roof repairs of your new install.

2. You may not be pleased with the result, and in some cases it may actually damage your home.  According to a study done of 2,000 DIY'ers, replacing your roof is one of the jobs that is the most likely to cause damage to the house.  

3. You could end up with leaks or issues down the road that may not be covered by insurance.  When you decide to take on the project yourself, keep in mind that if you do not have warranty and a professional installer do the job, your insurance company could use that as a reason not to cover a claim down the road, claiming homeowner negligence. 

​So, if you aren't willing to risk redoing your roof by yourself, but you know it needs to be done, what is the best bang for your buck?  We've outlined the three main criteria to consider when you embark on your roof repair or replacement project:

1. Installation by a Qualified and Reputable Contractor
2. High Quality Materials
3. Product & Install Warranty Certificates
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We recommend investing in a product that requires little to no maintenance and will hold up well in the type of climate we see here in Kelowna.  This would need to be paired with a proper installation to see the kind of results that would result in you sleeping like a baby and feeling confident about the roof over your head for 15-30 years.  

As contractors who have been around the block a few times, and have helped homeowners fix their mistakes, we feel confident in saying that investing in a roof installed by a skilled roofing professional is an investment you will not regret.