Things one must know about roofing contracts.
A roofing contract is a document that legally binds a roofer to the promises they make for the job. While experienced contractors often have longer contracts with more detail, the majority of roofing contracts are relatively straightforward.
Benefits of a Roofing Contract
There are a number of reasons why a contractor and property owner should both require a roofing contract to be in place before any work begins. A roofing contract:
- Ensures the payment schedule is clear and that the contractor is legally protected against claims.
- Provides the homeowner with peace of mind knowing that the business is legitimate and puts in writing the work that will be delivered and the price that it will cost.
- Allows the contractor to get in writing that the property owner fully understands all warranties to protect themselves from future problems.The scope of work defines what exactly the roofer will be doing and the labor and materials necessary to complete the job. If the homeowner ordered a complete roofing system, the contract should specify the accessories that will be used for installation. For example, there may be components on top of the shingles, including ridge cap shingles, leak barriers, vents, roof deck protection, and starter strip shingles.
Duration of Project
Homeowners generally expect the work to start anywhere from two to six weeks after the contract is signed. However, this can vary depending on the time of year and whether the contractor has a backlog of jobs. Regardless of when they can start, the contractor should be straightforward about their availability so that the homeowner has a reasonable expectation. After the contractor begins working on the roof, the job should not be interrupted by anything other than the weather.
While the length of time it takes to install a roof can vary depending on the size of the home, an asphalt shingle roof typically takes approximately one week to complete. Adverse weather conditions can also create unexpected delays that can affect the project duration. In general, though, an experienced roofer should be able to give an accurate timeline for the project. There may be a “no later than” clause required by some jurisdictions. In the event that the contractor failed to start the project on time, this clause would render the contract null and void.
Materials and Services
A roofing contract should list all materials and services included within the scope of the job, in addition to the basic roofing and labor required. If not mentioned in the contract, permit acquisition fees and cleanup and disposal services are topics you should discuss with the contractor. The contract should also include the specific product names and information about manufacturer warranties for those products. https://www.contractscounsel.com/t/us/roofing-contract
Installation Methods
The roofing contract should specify how the different components will be installed. For example, while some shingles can be installed with just four nails, if the homeowner is paying extra for a wind-resistance limited warranty, then it may be necessary to install the shingles using a six-nail installation. This should be specified in the contract.
Payment Schedule
The payment schedule and deposit requirements can vary from one contractor to the next. A homeowner should typically expect to pay some kind of deposit. However, there should never be an expectation that the upfront payment will cover the entire cost of the job. Additionally, the total deposit and payments made while the roofing project is in progress should never equal more than 75% of the job. That said, it is common for an initial deposit to be made when the project is scheduled, a second payment to be made when the materials are delivered to the home, and then a final payment to be made when the work is complete.https://gotinoconstruction.com/category/construction-materials/
