Why You Should Hire a Local Roofing Company in Vancouver

When you’re ready to pull the trigger on a new roofing project for your home, you need to be sure you’ve got an excellent contractor in order to prevent disastrous problems down the road. While you may be tempted to hire a big-name roofing company in another city to try to get a better deal on your project, here are some of the reasons we believe hiring a local roofing contractor is a better decision.

Personalized attention. It’s true: bigger isn’t always better, especially when it comes to large contracting companies. A local roofing company in Vancouver is much more likely to offer you personalized attention and detailed workmanship because they have more time and fewer projects to handle.

Excellent pricing. Because they are generally smaller than big-name contractors, local roofing contractors can negotiate excellent deals on top products with local building suppliers and manufacturers. This means that you get quality materials, many of which can’t be obtained by the average homeowner, at a cheaper price. And because it will cost them less to get to you, small contractors can offer lower quotes for the same services.

Quality completion. While a big out-of-town firm may not worry about the occasional missed deadline or mediocre job, the local contractor is highly concerned with maintaining a good reputation. He knows that doing a job right the first time means word-of-mouth advertising and future business. For the same reason, any warranty issues with your roofing in Vancouver are much more likely to be followed up on in a prompt and thorough manner.

Community spirit. When you hire local service professionals, the money stays in your town to contribute to local people, neighborhoods and infrastructure.

Crown Roofing LTD has proudly served the Richmond area since 1902. We’re still locally owned and operated, and look forward to serving all your roofing needs.

Components of Your British Columbia Roof

Author: Jason Bradley

This week we’re going to take a look at the major components of your British Columbia roof. It’s been our experience that clients who know some basic terminology can better understand their project and what to expect of their Vancouver roofing contractor.

Ridge. The ridge runs along the top of the roof where two sides meet to form an angle. The ridge must be shingled or capped to prevent water leakage into the attic.

Flashing. Flashing protects vulnerable areas of a roof from leakage, such as around chimneys, dormers and skylights, or where there is heavy water runoff. Flashing is made from a number of materials, the most common being galvanized metal.

Underlayment. Rolls of roofing underlayment, most commonly black felt paper, are used on pitched roofs as a secondary layer of protection for the roof. When a building is under construction, the underlayment acts as protection against the elements while shingles are installed. While felt paper is the most commonly used underlayment today, a wise Richmond roofing contractor will opt for synthetic underlayments or self-adhering underlayments to combat excessive moisture.

Sheathing (also known as decking). Made from wood material such as plywood or OSB, sheathing covers the rafters and acts as the base for roof coverings. Only seasoned wood can be used for sheathing, otherwise the result will be a warped, buckled roof base.

Shingles. Used on the majority of homes in North America, shingles are made from an asphalt-saturated base that is then coated with minerals to resist weathering. They come in a wide variety of colors to complement a home’s exterior.

We hope that this information about the basic components of your British Columbia roof will help to ensure your project is done right and for a competitive price. For the most experienced, reliable service in Vancouver, call Crown Residential Roofing at (877) 907-3066.

4 Secrets to Finding the Best Roofing Contractor in Vancouver

Author: Jason Bradley

Wondering what to look for in a roofing company? Here are four guidelines to ensure you hire the right one for you.

#1: Roofing Contractors Must be Insured
Whether you need new roofing, roofing repairs or roofing restoration, it’s essential that any roofing contractor you hire carry insurance. Liability insurance protects your property in the event it is damaged by the contractor or his employees. Any roofing contractor you’re considering must also carry worker’s compensation insurance. This insurance will protect you should one of the workers be injured on your property. Be sure to ask a contractor for proof of insurance before signing a contract or allowing work to begin.

#2: Roofing Contractors Must be Licensed
Any roofing contractor you hire should be licensed. Every Joe Blow will claim to be an expert, but if he doesn’t have a license he could expose you to financial harm. If injury or property damage occurs during a transaction with an unlicensed roofing contractor in Vancouver, the Contractors Board cannot assist you with resolution of a complaint against that contractor. Hiring a licensed roofing contractor also ensures the contractor has met the qualifications required by the government.

#3: Roofing Contractors Should Offer a Guarantee
Most roofing materials include a guarantee, and so should your roofing contractor. Any work done by a roofing contractor, including roofing repairs and roof restoration, should be guaranteed for at least a year. The guarantee MUST be in writing. It should also detail what will be happen in the event the guarantee is not met.

#4: Roofing Contractors Should Sign a Contract
Don’t just take somebody’s word for it! Even the most reliable roofing contractor in Vancouver should sign a contract, detailing everything from project cost and payment schedule to completion date. Another important item to specify is the type and brand of roof materials that will be used. The contract from your roofing contractor may also cover project cleanup, how unexpected occurrences will be handled, and change request policy.

What is the Life Cycle of Your Roof? How to Choose the Right Roofing Contractor for Your Home

Author: Jason Bradley

When making the decision to install a new roof on your home you want to know what roof is of good enough quality to last but is affordable now. A reliable roofing contractor can steer you the right way. They are roofing experts and can help give you the information you need on roofing materials as well as installation costs. And, though most people only really consider the cost at the time of installation, it is critical that you pay attention to the total cost of the roof over the course of its life. This is the way to best determine the life cycle cost of the roof.

Standard British Columbia residential roofing structures will usually have a lifetime of approximately 20-30 years. This is about the length of a standard warranty. If the homeowner chooses premium roof materials, however, the lifespan of the roof is usually longer than the warranty, and the roof maintenance decreases. Other things, in addition to the cost of roof installation and roof materials, need to be considered. Some of these additional costs include roof maintenance such as leak repairs and cleaning, but also should include routine inspection.

When you decide on a residential roofing contractor, they can help guide you when deciding if you’re going to choose standard or premium roof materials. Unless your budget is very restrictive, choosing premium roof materials is the best choice as they more than pay for themselves over time with the energy and maintenance savings.

Choosing premium roofing materials helps improve the life cycle cost of your roof. It has a longer life expectancy, is more energy efficient, and has higher performance standards than standard roof material. There is also a greatly reduced chance of leaking because of the higher quality of the materials. This will reduce the maintenance costs as well as reducing the risk of damage to the interior of your home and to your belongings by avoiding potential leaks.

When you start your research to choose a local area roofing contractor, make sure they have an understanding of roof life cycle costs. This will benefit you in the long run and will save you money over time.

Navigation