Whether you’re buying a home in Pensacola, FL, or you own one already, having a roof inspection is key for learning the current condition of this all-important building feature. Roof inspections can determine the type and magnitude of roofing damage that’s been sustained during a major storm. When performed annually, these assessments also allow homeowners to identify and resolve minor or still-developing issues early on. However, they’re not foolproof. Roof inspections are only as accurate as the roofers are honest and skilled. Here are several times when getting a second opinion on your roofing inspection is absolutely essential.
Your Need to Establish Trust
It may be that you’ve had unsavory experiences with local roofers in the past. If your roof inspection reveals the need for roof repairs, you might be a bit leery of your inspector’s recommendations. Fortunately, having an outside party confirm the original inspector’s findings will invariably confirm or deny your suspicions. It will also establish the grounds for trust.
When roofs are inspected by two different companies, homeowners also have the opportunity to thoroughly screen two different providers. This way, if total tear-downs or other major renovation projects are required, you’ll have more than one vetted and trusted contractor to choose from.
The Initial Findings Are Ambiguous or Difficult to Understand
Roof inspections serve a variety of purposes. For homeowners, they’re often a mandatory part of remaining compliant with the terms and conditions of roof warranties, home service agreements, and home insurance plans. Many warranty and insurance companies require annual roof inspections to catch and correct minor issues before they spiraled out of control. As a special perk, some insurance policies and warranty contracts even agree to cover the costs of these yearly visits.
Roof inspections give sellers the ability to price their homes accurately, prioritize their presale home improvements, and prepare for important disclosures. They help buyers make informed purchasing decisions, and they make it possible to plan for roof replacements well in advance of the need for them.
Unfortunately, roof inspections can’t accomplish any of these things if they aren’t comprehensive and transparent. Some roofers provide inspection reports that are both ambiguous and rife with industry jargon. If your latest roof inspection doesn’t provide solid insights and details that you can confidently use, it’s wise to schedule a second inspection with a company that streamlines its reports to meet its clients’ needs.
You Want to Explore Your Options for Replacement or Repair Techniques
There’s usually more than one way to fix a roof, and top roofing companies are always willing to help their clients explore their options. After all, this is the only way for homeowners to make truly informed decisions about their properties. It’s also the only way to establish feasible goals and get the greatest possible value for your cash. If you recently received a roof inspection report that highlighted necessary repairs along with a quote for a single repair or replacement technique, you need to seek a second opinion.
In some instances, there’s a good reason why roofers focus on a single solution. In others, refusing to point out and explain alternate solutions could be an indication of price gouging, inexperience, or other less-than-stellar motivations. Not only should roofers and professional roof inspectors take a customer-centric approach to drafting their reports, but they should also focus on the needs, wants, and goals of consumers when making recommendations for service.
With a second opinion, you’ll get more insight into why repairs are needed, why some options will work better than others, or why one single solution is the sole focus of your provider. Hiring another roofer for additional insight also gives you an opportunity to learn more about the different materials that might be used during your project and ask questions about the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Communication With Your First Inspector Was Substandard
Roof inspections save insurance companies and home warranty companies money. However, their greatest value lies in the benefits that they provide to consumers. A report that’s written for your benefit should be presented in language that you can easily understand. More importantly, if you have questions about your report, you should feel comfortable asking them. If you had a hard time communicating with your roofer and still have lots to ask, consider scheduling a second inspection with a company that maintains honesty, communication, and transparency among its top values.
Known Roofing Issues Were Overlooked
Apart from poor communication and poorly crafted reports, there’s the possibility that the initial inspector didn’t really know what they were doing. A lot of general contractors who offer roof inspections don’t specialize in this process and aren’t capable of performing their work thoroughly or accurately. One sure sign that you’ve hired an underqualified party is having known roofing issues get overlooked. For instance, you might know that there’s torn flashing at a specific section of your roof or a compromised seal around one of your skylights. Your roof may have soft, springy areas that you’ve traversed before or evidence of shingle granule loss and UV damage on one side. If these or other known issues aren’t identified and detailed in your report, then you definitely need a second and better-qualified party to inspect your roof again.
Your Report Identifies the Need for Major or Complex Repairs
If you have a longstanding and solid relationship with a reputable roofing company, you may be able to accept a single roofing report and all its recommendations without pause for concern. However, if you’ve recently purchased a home in a new area and have yet to find and build relationships with local service providers, recommendations for major and complex repairs could make you uneasy. Paying a relatively modest amount of cash for a second opinion is more than worthwhile if it will give you peace of mind. This is all the more true if the work your roof needs isn’t covered by your home insurance policy or home service agreement.
It’s important to note that many home insurance and home warranty companies also require second opinions for large and costly jobs. Much like consumers, these companies work hard to limit their spending on roof repair and replacement projects whenever possible. Scheduling a second opinion could be key to keeping the claims process moving forward.
Your Roof Failed Its Initial Inspection
When roofs are inspected on behalf of prospective buyers who intend to use third-party funding, they have a pass-or-fail status. A failed roof inspection means that the sale cannot go through until major repairs or replacements have been made. The good news is that you can always request a second opinion to prevent your transaction from grinding to a halt. Your roof might pass its second inspection, or your inspector might reduce the requirements for replacement or repairs.
There Are Special Considerations
No two roofs are exactly alike. Some roof replacements are built directly on top of old roofing systems. Some roofs sit atop historic properties that cannot be remodeled or repaired without first meeting very specific requirements. There are also roofs with considerable substrate damage that travels down into the rough framing of buildings. If there are any special considerations or requirements for your roofing project, it’s prudent to get a second opinion.
We proudly serve residents of Pensacola, FL and the surrounding communities. We offer metal roofing, TPO roofing, EPDM roofing, and flat roofs. We also provide roof inspection, maintenance, replacement, and repair services. To schedule an appointment, get in touch with our team at Quality Roofing now.
The post Do You Need a Second Opinion on Your Roof Inspection? appeared first on Quality Roofing Solutions.