FAQ

Roofing can be an expensive proposition depending upon what your particular issue may be, so it’s in your best interests to get several bids from different roofing contracting firms. This will give you some idea as to the differences in pricing, and may even help you identify an offer that is really “too good to be true”.

References are one of the best ways to check the validity of what a contracting firm tells you about itself. Never feel like you’re overstepping by asking for references either. A reputable company will have a list of former clients who’re happy to field calls for a reference, so make sure you ask the questions that matter most. Here are a few suggestions:

• Did the contracting firm keep you well informed?
• Were they easy to work with? Were they punctual each day?
• Did they maintain a safe working environment and clean up before leaving the property?
• Are you still satisfied with the work they completed?

In an industry like roofing, trade references are very, very important. These references are the people – the vendors and suppliers – that the roofing company does business with. These references can give you useful insights into the company’s current financial situation, and can save you time and frustration – not to mention cash – spent on a company with bad credit and no way to get the supplies your job requires. Ask about their history, their payment history, and their current credit/balance with suppliers.

Chicago Roofing Solutions recommends that all clients in the market for a new roof installation ask for a pre-construction meeting. This meeting will allow for the implementation of a communication “chain of command” which will guarantee that everything done on your property is clearly explained and notification given in a timely manner for all things related to the work being completed. It will also give you a chance to discuss and agree on other important factors like where equipment is placed, when work will begin, who will be leading the crews, and when the work is expected to be finished.

While there are no guidelines set in stone to answer this question, it’s important to remember, especially if you think you may sell the house at some point, that an FHA mortgage inspection will flag a three-layer roof for noncompliance. This could mean serious difficulty when closing the sale, or, even worse, you could be forced to tear away the old roof and install a new one simply to finalize the sale. That’s an unexpected and considerable expense to be hit with at such an inopportune time.

NO, NO, NO! Never, ever let a roofing contracting firm talk you into using anything less than the highest-quality, most-trusted names in the industry. These products have earned the right to be called the industry’s best, and their manufacturers stand behind them with meaningful warranties. In an industry that often sees companies go under, you’ll be much better off relying on the manufacturer’s warranty than a contracting firm’s own documentation. Of course, there are firms like Chicago Roofing Solutions, with a proven history of standing behind our work, who will honestly and openly discuss the merits of all the products we offer.

Again, this is a question whose answer is completely dependent upon the structure and the materials. Depending upon these factors, a flat roof is comparable to a traditional roof in many ways. Oftentimes, they are actually cheaper than their pitched-roof relatives. Our staff will gladly go over the estimated costs for your project during our consultation phase. Here are a few factors that come into flat roof pricing:

• Roofing Type – full removal, replacement, or re-roofing.
• Amount of penetrations and walls.
• Years of warranty
• Life expectancy.

Nearly all leaks found in flat roofing come from improper installation techniques. When a company overlooks important elements in an effort to save money or time, these elements end up causing serious issues for the property owner – often within a relatively short amount of time. The finishing touches a professional contracting firm applies to your roofing is just as important as the roofing itself. When these steps are taken, water damage and leaks are almost unheard of, but, unfortunately, there are some less-than-honest contractors around, so paying special attention to the finishing stages is of the highest importance as the property owner.

Absolutely, yes. The roofing industry defines standing water as any moisture remaining on a roof 24-48 hours after precipitation has stopped. When water persists after this amount of time has elapsed, it can permanently destroy the roofing material and effectively void your warranty. The addition of drains and tapered insulation in trouble areas can help to minimize this type of problem

This answer is dependent upon the specific product, its manufacturer, and its warranty. In many states, manufacturers will require proof that the owner has maintained a regimen of cleaning and maintenance for the lifetime of the roofing, or at least as long as the warranty specifies in writing. Problems with materials need to be reported to the manufacturer within 60 days to ensure they honor the warranty.

Most structures in the Chicago area have been designed with snow load in mind, but, every so often, a collapse will occur that can be directly attributed to the weight of neglected snow accumulation. In most cases, there is at least one of the following conditions present when a collapse occurs:

• Accumulated water damage over time which compromises a building’s structural integrity.
• Later additions to a structure that cause engineering problems like “high walls” and “traps”.
• Frozen, damaged, or clogged roof drains and/or scuppers.
• Interior structural modifications completed without equal modifications done to roofing.
• Structures built before official building codes were enforced.

When working with a firm like Chicago Roofing Solutions, with an excellent reputation and 20+ years in the industry, you may not need to worry about a lien waiver. Yet, we understand the laws and why a customer may feel more protected with a lien waiver in place. It basically serves as a guarantee that all of the materials and labor for your project have been paid for, and you cannot be held accountable for these costs should your contracting firm neglect them – for whatever reason. A lien waiver in the full amount of the costs for labor and materials is all the protection, from a legal standpoint, a client needs.

We serve all of the following areas – Addison, Alsip, Arlington Heights, Barrington, Bensenville, Berwyn, Bloomingdale, Blue Island, Bolingbrook, Bridgeview, Broadview, Brookfield, Burbank, Burr Ridge, Calumet Park, Carol Stream, Chicago, Chicago Ridge, Cicero, Country Club Hills, Countryside, Crest Hill, Crestwood, Darien, Des Plaines, Dolton, Downers Grove, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Evergreen Park, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Glen Ellyn, Glencoe, Glendale Heights, Glenview, Harvey, Harwood Heights, Hazel Crest, Hickory Hills, Hillside, Hinsdale, Hoffman Estates, Homer Glen, Itasca, Joliet, La Grange, La Grange Highlands, La Grange Park, Lemont, Lincolnwood, Lisle, Lockport, Logan Square, Lombard, Lyons, Markham, McCook, Melrose Park, Midlothian, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Naperville, Niles, Norridge, North Riverside, Northbrook, Northfield, Northlake, Oak Brook, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Oakbrook Terrace, Orland Park, Palatine, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Park Ridge, Pilsen, Prospect Heights, River Forest, River Grove, Riverdale, Riverside, Rolling Meadows, Romeoville, Roselle, Rosemont, Schaumburg, Schiller Park, Skokie, South Barrington, South Holland, Streamwood, Summit Argo, Tinley Park, Villa Park, Warrenville, West Chicago, Westchester, Western Springs, Westmont, Wheaton, Wheeling, Willow Springs, Wilmette, Winfield, Winnetka, Wood Dale, Woodridge, Worth