FAQs

HOW MANY YEARS DO I HAVE LEFT ON MY OLD ROOF?

This is one of our most asked questions! Like many things in life, there are many variables. We’ve seen 5-year-old roofs with bulging and curling shingles due to improper ventilation and installation. At the same time, we’ve seen 30-year-old roofs with no problems at all. It all comes down to the quality of materials, craftsmanship, ventilation, and the weather your roof has endured. To get you the best answer, we offer free 21-point inspections.

HOW SOON CAN YOU START?

Although it would be unrealistic to have a standard answer to this question, it’s one every homeowner naturally wants to know. This is dependent on the material you choose, the season, and our volume. At the moment, most of our roofs are installed within a few weeks. After you sign your proposal, our project concierge will call you to schedule with your installation date, as well as keep you updated throughout your short waiting period.

WHICH SHINGLES DO YOU RECOMMEND?

There are many great shingles on the market, but CertainTeed has had our heart for the past 50 years. We’ve installed many types of shingles from various manufacturers and our hands-on experience with these products is extensive. When we answer this question upon evaluating your roof, we’ll be able to make a recommendation specifically suited to your needs, budget, and home structure.

WHAT ABOUT BUILDING PERMITS?

The two most common questions we get about permits are: (1) Will I need a building permit for a new roof? (2) Who is pulling the permit?  

Whether you need a permit depends on your area, but in our experience, it is required about 80% of the time. If it is indeed necessary, we will take care of pulling the permit for you!

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE PRIOR TO THE ROOFING INSTALLATION?

We make this part as easy as possible for you by requiring very little on your part.

We do recommend that you remove or secure any fragile or irreplaceable items on the walls or ceilings inside your home. During the installation of your roof, there will be some vibration on your walls and ceilings, and we will not be responsible for any damage to unsecured items that are disturbed or fall.

Your roofing installation will begin between 7:00 and 7:30 in the morning on the scheduled day and we ask that you move your vehicles out of the garage and onto the street the night before. This way we will not intrude on your morning routine.

HOW DO YOU PROTECT MY HOME FROM DAMAGE DURING THE ROOFING INSTALLATION?

Protecting your home during a roofing installation is on our list of things we are most proud of and where we make extra effort to outshine the other roofing companies. Every home is different when it comes to setting up for a new roof, so we don’t have a one size fits all answer to this question.

What we can tell you is that our roofers are loaded up for every job with an arsenal of protective materials: 4×8 sheets of wood, protective tarps, and any other materials deemed necessary that we determine during the original inspection of your roof. Extra care is given to the setup before the first crew member ever climbs a ladder to begin your roofing project.

ARE YOU LICENSED AND INSURED?

We are often asked about our license and insurance which shows that many homeowners are both informed and concerned. You should be. Both are very important and you should ask for proof. A legitimate roofing contractor will not be the least bit offended.

This is not just a matter of compliance with Indiana and Illinois law, but your own personal protection.

Indiana does not require a roofing license. State law in Illinois requires that if you’re working on any roof other than your own, you are required to be licensed; both personal and business license are required. Rest assured, our licenses are 104.003943 and 105.001819.

SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT NAILS?

To answer, both yes and no. Are we going to leave your property without meticulous cleanup like some roofing companies would? Absolutely not! Are we going to guarantee we find every last stray nail during the cleanup? That would be unrealistic.

We do, however, utilize both our jobsite protection system and magnets to assure your yard and driveway are free of loose nails.

ARE MY GUTTERS GOING TO BE LEFT CLEAN AFTER THE JOB?

Absolutely! Your gutters are cleaned by hand with every roof replacement.

WHAT IS SYNTHETIC UNDERLAYMENT AND WHY IS IT BETTER THEN FELT PAPER?

Synthetic underlayment is a high tech, high performance layer of material installed prior to the shingles on areas of the roof decking not covered by ice and water shield. The purpose of underlayment is to absorb asphalt from the shingle and provide an extra level of water resistance.

Until more recent years, felt paper was the standard. However, advancements in roofing technology have brought about the synthetic underlayments which consistently outperform and out test traditional felt paper.

WHAT ABOUT VENTILATION?

It may be surprising, but this question is among the most important you could ask about. Proper ventilation has numerous benefits and solves multiple problems. It cuts costs on your heating and cooling bills, extends the life of your roofing, and even protects your health by preventing mold from forming in your attic and invading your air supply.

WHAT IS THE BEST RESIDENTIAL ROOFING SHINGLE?

We highly recommend CertainTeed Northgate Climateflex Shingles. These are SBS modified asphalt shingles with a rubberized compound to make it more flexible and have greater impact resistance. The modified asphalt shingle is able to withstand expansion and contraction during summer and winter months so the shingles don’t crack. These shingles have a Class-4 impact rating, the highest available in the industry. With the hail and debris we tend to get in the Midwest, you need a shingle durable enough to withstand the potential impact.

DO YOU OFFER FINANCING?

Yes we do. We offer financing through Green Sky and Service Finance which both have high approval rates and numerous financing options for customers.

The two most popular options are:

1. 12 month no interest and no payment

2. 9.99% for up to 10 years.

The 12 month no interest, no payment option is good for homeowners who want to pay off the loan quickly and have the means to do so within a year. The 10 year loan is popular for spreading the payments out and still getting a reasonable interest rate.