FAQ’s

Have any questions?

Most Asked Questions by Our Customers

Do you offer free inspections? And how detailed is the estimate you provide?

Yes, we will come out to your property, assess your roof, discuss your options, and then provide a complete written proposal for you to review.

How often your home needs a roof inspection depends on various factors, including roofing materials, age of the roof, current condition, and the climate. While roofing contractors in Alabama often recommend a professional roof inspection at least every two years, something unexpected, such as a severe weather event, may warrant an assessment of the condition of your roof.

Do you have to come to the property to give me a quote?

If you have a leak or know that the roof needs to be replaced, there is only so much information that we can provide without seeing it. The best way for us to give you a detailed and accurate bid, is to come inspect the roof. However, there are some options for providing a simple estimate without coming to the property. These estimates are always a ballpark number. If you decide to move forward with your project, we will need to come to the property to provide you with a revised estimate.

How do I know if I need a new roof?

There are two indicators that a new roof is in your future: signs of damage and age. It’s important to note that not all damage requires an entire roof replacement; however, there are certain cases when it is better to install a new roof rather than repair the damage. A good rule of thumb is if you, as a non-roof professional, can see visible signs of damage, it’s probably time for a roof replacement.

Age is another factor to consider when deciding whether you need a new roof. In Alabama, the heat wears down roofing material faster than in other climates—though some materials, such as metal, will last longer than others. For asphalt shingles, you’ll want to get a roof inspection at 15 years of age to see if it can last another five years. If the inspection determines it won’t last that long, your insurance may not cover roof damage until you get a new roof.

Why Should I Schedule a Roof Inspection?

There are several practical reasons to schedule a professional roof inspection in Alabama. First, your roof may incur damage after a hurricane or severe weather that is common during hurricane season. Second, a roof inspection may reveal potential warranty issues. If you ignore these issues, you could void the warranty and lose coverage.

Third, a roof inspection could prevent your insurer from canceling your policy or raising your insurance rates due to neglect or roof age. Last, inspecting and maintaining your roof can keep your property values from plummeting. You owe it to your family and yourself to ensure that your roof is in exceptional condition to protect your household when you need it most.

What do you review or look at when completing a roof inspection?

A licensed roofing contractor can identify problems that often go unnoticed while providing a comprehensive inspection where they look for the following, but not limited to:

● Cracked or missing shingles, leaks, or areas of sagging
● Roof penetrations, such as chimneys, vents, skylights, and plumbing stacks
● Drainage systems, including gutters and downspouts for clogs, damage, or inadequate capacity.
● Signs of wear, damage, deterioration, such as soft spots, mold, or mildew
● The overall condition of the roofing material (shingles or metal roof)
● Loose or missing roofing components
● Loose, rusted or damaged flashing
● Sagging areas in the ridges or decking
● Cracks in the chimney or a broken chimney cap
● Problems with gutters or downspouts
● Rotting along the fascia board
● Inadequate ventilation

Do you offer different pricing options for materials or payment plans? And do you typically require a deposit upfront to get started? I’m trying to figure out how everything works financially.

With a roof replacement, we will typically require 50% down one contract is signed and the other remaining 50% at the completion of the project.

We currently do not offer financing options, but this is something soon to come.

I was wondering, what’s your current lead time for starting a new roofing project? I’m hoping to get this done before we move in.

The time frame varies with the type of roof project. The permit issuance time frame varies greatly depending on the city and the time of year. For roof replacements we can usually start around 3-4 weeks after the contract is signed.

For roof repairs, we can typically start within 1 week or less. Once the contract is signed, we will do everything we can to stop any water from entering and further damaging your property, at no extra charge.

Will you work on my roof everyday until it is complete?

For the most part, yes. We will never leave your roof open to the elements. If we are unable to continue working on your roof due to weather restrictions, we will make sure that your roof is properly covered to prevent any damage. Sometimes materials will be back ordered and your roof project will have to be placed on hold until materials arrive. But if this is the case, we will stay in good communication with you and ensure that your roof is properly prepared for the wait.

How long does the roof installation take?

Roof installation time can vary, but with good weather and minimal delays, it can take anywhere from a day or two to a little more than a week. Sometimes, when removing old materials to make room for the new roof, unseen damage can be uncovered and may extend installation time.

Our team at Heritage Roofing Solutions will communicate with you throughout the installation process, so you’re aware of progress updates and any delays that may occur. We also make sure the roofing process does not disrupt your day-to-day life—we’ll make sure your family is comfortable and dry during the entire installation process.

Do you handle permits for the roofing job? And is there an extra charge for hauling away the old roofing materials once the job is done?

If you are doing any roof work that meets a minimum square footage requirement, which varies by municipality, you will need a building permit. When you hire Heritage Roofing Solutions, we will apply for the building permit if it is required as well as haul away the old roofing materials once the job is completed.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes we are. We are licensed for roofing and general contracting in the entire state of Alabama. Our License numbers are **, **.

The Roof Replacement Process

The standard roof replacement process will be pretty typical for all homes. Before any work begins, there will be some decisions and inspections to complete, such as assessing for any damage and choosing the material for your new roof. If you want some help deciding on a material, your roofing specialist will be able to speak into what material is best for your location and home. Once these decisions are made, there are only three roof installation steps:

1. Remove the Old Material: We first have to strip your roof of all the old material. In some cases, we may be able to recycle it into your new roof, saving you some money on materials. Your roofing specialist will also be able to get a better idea of any damage or complications once the old material is gone.

One of the most common concerns we hear from customers about roof installation is the mess. Removing the old roof can cause a lot of debris, and no one wants to deal with random nails in their yard or driveway. That’s why our team takes great care in making sure we leave everything nice and tidy when we leave your home for the day—even if the job is not yet done. We provide you with a tarp if need be, and clean up any old materials or stray nails from around your home. With Heritage Roofing Solutions, you can rest assured that we’ll treat your yard and home like our own.

While we can’t eliminate all the disturbances that come with a new roof, our team strives to minimize them as much as we can. Whether that’s helping to reduce the noise for you or making sure that your neighbors aren’t bothered by our work, we help to keep our noise and presence to a minimum. We will also go by the neighboring houses to let them know we will be working on your roof and provide letters if they are not home.

2. Underlay the Roof: Underlayment acts as an additional barrier against the elements for your home. It’s especially important for Alabama homeowners to have a high-quality underlayment to help the rain drain properly. Your roofing specialist can help you decide which underlayment material is best for your home.

3. Install the New Roof: It’s time to get your new roof in place! Whether you decide on shingles or a metal roof, your team will get to work to properly lay each material down. This step can be a bit noisy due to drills and hammering, but once it’s over, you’ll be left with a brand new, stunning roof!

What kind of warranties do you provide on materials and labor? Are there different options for extending the warranty?

The first warranty will be on the workmanship. We will always stand by our work, because we are confident in our expertise and quality of work.We offer a 3 year workmanship warranty.

The second warranty is on the roofing materials themselves, and each roofing material offers a different type of material warranty. For example, asphalt shingles come out of the package with a warranty from the manufacturer. On the other hand, metal roofs come with a warranty on the painted finish that protects the metal panels.

Composite shingles have a limited lifetime warranty that’s prorated after a certain number of years. But when you get to a cedar shake or slate roof, you won’t have a material warranty because they’re naturally made.

Both of these warranties are crucial to protect your roof investment.

How long should a roof last on a house?

Roof life expectancy is going to vary on a variety of factors: climate, material, and maintenance. Overall, the average roof lifespan is 25–50 years; however, due to Alabama’s humid climate and hurricanes, this average goes down to 15–20 years. Having a good roofing partner, like the team at Heritage Roofing Solutions, can help you extend your roof’s life as much as possible.