Replace Now or Wait for Spring?

Now that summer is over, you may have started to think about getting your roof replaced. Perhaps you have noticed some animal damage, a few shingles came loose during one of the recent storms or maybe the roof is just starting to look old.

Unfortunately, a lot of your neighbours have started having the same thought so getting your roof replaced before the snow starts to fall is going to be more difficult; particularly as we lose working days due to rain. This doesn’t mean you need to panic though; it just means that you need to consider a few things:

#1 – don’t delay getting quotes. If you want (or need) to get your roof replaced, start calling around to get the quotes now so you can be informed about what is involved and how much it will cost.

#2 – compare apples and apples. Going with the cheapest quote is not a good idea when it comes to such an important component of your home. There are many factors to consider, including what type of shingles are being installed and what kind of warranty you are getting. One important question to ask is how long the company has been in business. Do not be fooled by someone telling you how long they have been in the industry – what is critical is if the company will be around in a few years if you have questions or need help with anything.

#3 – consider your budget. Replacing your roof is not inexpensive so ask if financing options are available that might make the decision easier.

#4 – find out if the company shuts down for the winter. Many roofing companies only operate during good weather so they will have a hard deadline for when they stop installing roofs. At this time of year, it is better to select a company that works all year round, like Chouinard Bros., because not only will they keep scheduling the work but they also know how to continue to install roofs properly in the colder weather.

#5 – can you afford to wait until Spring? There are actually 2 issues to consider here; the first is ‘will your roof last through the winter’? A quality roof inspection completed by a respected company will be able to answer this question.

The second issue has to do with the actual price for replacing your roof. Although most quotes will have a note saying ‘valid for 30 days’, in the past it was fairly standard for companies to hold prices for customers over the winter and just schedule the work for early Spring.

However, COVID has had some wide-reaching impacts on this industry as a whole. Shutdowns by manufacturers and delays in shipping has meant that material costs will be increasing due to shortages over the next 6-9 months and roofing companies will be less likely to hold a contract price beyond 30 days. This means that putting off the decision could have a significant impact on the price as well as availability of the materials used to replace you roof.

Being properly informed is very important when it comes to your home so call us today so we can help you through this process!