How long does a roof last? Do I need a new roof?
Depending on the type of roof system, roofs can last anywhere from 10 to 100 years. Most homes built after 1950 have asphalt shingle roofs. The average life expectancy for an asphalt shingle roof is approximately 13 years, so if your roof is over 10 years old and looking tired it, may be time for a replacement. Given the potential for costly interior damage, it is better to be a year early than a year late.
The good news is that we can show you a wide range of products that can last significantly longer, provide better value, and in most people’s opinions, add considerably to your home’s curb appeal. Today many manufactures of asphalt shingle roofs offer product with up to 50 year warranties.
How much does a new roof cost?
Every roof is unique, which is why it is impossible to accurately assess a roof without having seen it and discussed expectations with the homeowner on site. Variables that affect the price include, but are not limited to:
Can a new roof be installed during the winter?
Absolutely… with properly trained crews and quality materials, Fick Bros has been installing roofs year round for well over sixty years. Extreme cold and snow can interrupt the schedule just as rain does at other times of the year.
Have you done any roofs on my street?
Chances are we have! Fick Bros have installed over 80,000 roofs all over the Baltimore metropolitan area. Our estimators will be able to show you a street by street list of previous jobs. We can normally find a referral on your street or one not far away.
Can you provide referrals?
Our goal is to have as many raving fans as possible! Our referral numbers are so good you probably won’t believe them, so we’ve got all of the original surveys in our office should you want to inspect them yourself. And now you can go online to GuildQuality and view our record. We have used a independent survey company, GuildQuality, to survey every homeowner to get feedback of their complete experience with us and suggest improvements.
Are your workers trained?
We pride ourselves on the consistency and quality of our work. Despite the lack of regulation in the home improvement industry, we take considerable time and effort to train our employees through internal and external programs. Our in house training center is located at our office/warehouse at 1200 East 25th Street in Baltimore.
The majority of our staff is independently certified by the material manufacturers to install their product, with all of our junior personnel working towards their certification. We are one of the few companies classified as a “Select Shingle Roofer”, which puts us in the top 1% of all roofers in North America!
If something does manage to slip through all of our checks, we make it a priority to resolve the issue as soon as we are aware of it.
Do you sub-contract your work?
No! Never! We tried this approach many years ago, but found that quality suffered dramatically. Sub-contractors are paid a flat rate or a “per square” rate to complete a project. This methodology places the emphasis on speed rather than quality. Some contractors actually promote that fact that they have in-house crews to handle complaints from homeowners for poor workmanship from the sub-contractors. Our employees take whatever time is necessary to do all of the little things right. This ensures your that your project will be done right the 1st time, provides you with a long term investment and a positive construction experience.
Are you insured?
Yes. We are covered by $5,000,000 of liability insurance. We also have complete coverage for Workers Compensation insurance should any worker be injured on the job.
We are going to sell the house in a few years. Should we invest in a new roof?
If you know you need a new roof in the near future, your prospective buyers and their home inspectors will also come to that conclusion. This will obviously affect the resale value.
The benefits of installing a new roof prior to selling include enhanced curb appeal, a transferable warranty (if installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications), peace of mind for the duration of your time in the home, and a higher resale value on the house.
Depending on the type of roof system, roofs can last anywhere from 10 to 100 years. Most homes built after 1950 have asphalt shingle roofs. The average life expectancy for an asphalt shingle roof is approximately 13 years, so if your roof is over 10 years old and looking tired it, may be time for a replacement. Given the potential for costly interior damage, it is better to be a year early than a year late.
The good news is that we can show you a wide range of products that can last significantly longer, provide better value, and in most people’s opinions, add considerably to your home’s curb appeal. Today many manufactures of asphalt shingle roofs offer product with up to 50 year warranties.
How much does a new roof cost?
Every roof is unique, which is why it is impossible to accurately assess a roof without having seen it and discussed expectations with the homeowner on site. Variables that affect the price include, but are not limited to:
- All specifications included. Manufacturers’ warranties require that the roof be installed according to their specifications. Failing to install all specifications will get you a lower price, but can void the warranty, lead to costly repairs, and significantly shorten the lifespan of the new roof. If a contractor omits specifications, either knowingly or through ignorance, why would you trust them on your home?
- Set up & property protection required. This can be a significant part of the job. Thousands of pounds of old roofing need to be safely removed, and then ethically disposed. All reasonable efforts must be considered to protect your property and your neighbors’ property. For example, covering decks or patios with plywood, protecting your shrubs and landscaping with tarps, covering hydro lines and scaffolding as required. Worker safety is also a primary consideration during these decisions.
- Square footage. More square footage requires more materials and more labor.
- Quality of Roofing Product. Better roofing products may cost more up front, but provide better value, a longer life and more appealing aesthetics.
- Slope of the roof. Steeper roofs are more difficult, more dangerous and more time consuming to replace.
- Number of roof sections. Straight, wide open spaces are easy to work on and less likely to leak. Corners, valleys, bay windows, dormers, chimneys, catwalks and skylights take significantly more time to complete. The more penetrations through a roof the more prone to leaking and therefore take a higher degree of workmanship to install correctly.
- Flat roofs require more materials than shingle roofs, and are therefore more difficult to remove and replace. Sloping the flat roof slightly for positive drainage is recommended where possible to extend the roof lifespan.
Can a new roof be installed during the winter?
Absolutely… with properly trained crews and quality materials, Fick Bros has been installing roofs year round for well over sixty years. Extreme cold and snow can interrupt the schedule just as rain does at other times of the year.
Have you done any roofs on my street?
Chances are we have! Fick Bros have installed over 80,000 roofs all over the Baltimore metropolitan area. Our estimators will be able to show you a street by street list of previous jobs. We can normally find a referral on your street or one not far away.
Can you provide referrals?
Our goal is to have as many raving fans as possible! Our referral numbers are so good you probably won’t believe them, so we’ve got all of the original surveys in our office should you want to inspect them yourself. And now you can go online to GuildQuality and view our record. We have used a independent survey company, GuildQuality, to survey every homeowner to get feedback of their complete experience with us and suggest improvements.
Are your workers trained?
We pride ourselves on the consistency and quality of our work. Despite the lack of regulation in the home improvement industry, we take considerable time and effort to train our employees through internal and external programs. Our in house training center is located at our office/warehouse at 1200 East 25th Street in Baltimore.
The majority of our staff is independently certified by the material manufacturers to install their product, with all of our junior personnel working towards their certification. We are one of the few companies classified as a “Select Shingle Roofer”, which puts us in the top 1% of all roofers in North America!
If something does manage to slip through all of our checks, we make it a priority to resolve the issue as soon as we are aware of it.
Do you sub-contract your work?
No! Never! We tried this approach many years ago, but found that quality suffered dramatically. Sub-contractors are paid a flat rate or a “per square” rate to complete a project. This methodology places the emphasis on speed rather than quality. Some contractors actually promote that fact that they have in-house crews to handle complaints from homeowners for poor workmanship from the sub-contractors. Our employees take whatever time is necessary to do all of the little things right. This ensures your that your project will be done right the 1st time, provides you with a long term investment and a positive construction experience.
Are you insured?
Yes. We are covered by $5,000,000 of liability insurance. We also have complete coverage for Workers Compensation insurance should any worker be injured on the job.
We are going to sell the house in a few years. Should we invest in a new roof?
If you know you need a new roof in the near future, your prospective buyers and their home inspectors will also come to that conclusion. This will obviously affect the resale value.
The benefits of installing a new roof prior to selling include enhanced curb appeal, a transferable warranty (if installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications), peace of mind for the duration of your time in the home, and a higher resale value on the house.
