Most homeowners are familiar with roofers. They're the ones that show up at your house, ladder in hand, and replace shingles, fix the flashing your chimney, and even clean your gutters. But there are few times when you'll need a specialist that has more experience and expertise than a standard roofer; in these situations, you'll need to hire a roofing contractor to get the job done right.
Most roofing contractors start out as roofers, but they continue their education by taking certification exams that allow them to be licensed by the state. After this, they generally move into supervisory roles, either within a company or by starting their own crew. They're essentially the lead on any roofing project and can serve you well in the situations outlined below.
Work Planning
If you're at the beginning stages of your residential roofing project, you'll need to talk to a roofing contractor first. They can help you draw the plans, especially when you're dealing with a complex project that involves varying slopes and multiple levels. They can also advise you as to the right type of material that will work best with your budget and your specific project, and put together a proposal that will give you an estimate for the completed work. Roofing contractors are invaluable to the entire process, but most especially in the planning stage when homeowners need to maximize their efficiency while minimizing the budget.
Work in Progress
Once the job is started, a roofing contractor will oversee the project and make sure that there is as little waste as possible, either in time or materials. Though they will usually work alongside the roofers themselves, they'll also manage the personnel to make sure that the project is completed on time and within your budget. Since they're also familiar with building codes, they'll make sure that everything meets governmental regulations as well.
Work Finished
After the job is complete, the roofing contractor meets with the inspector to make sure that the job is done up to code and will make any recommendations if there are any areas of deficiency. They handle the paperwork and present it to the homeowner in a way that takes the headache out of the process. If everything checks out, they'll round up the crew up and make sure that no debris is left on your yard, leaving your home better than when they found it. Contact a roofing contractor for more information.