Orange County

There’s no doubt about it, laying a new shingle roof over an old roof is a cheaper option. It requires much less labor from your Orange County roofing contractors. And sometimes, this really is the best option. However, it’s important to consider whether roofing over your existing roof is a good option, or if you should have the contractors tear off your roof to replace it completely.

Know the local codes

One reason you’ll need to hire a licensed contractor to update or replace your roof is that they’ll be familiar with the local building codes. These codes govern whether or not you even can roof over your existing roof.

Each local area has different rules, but the bottom line is that your roof can only weigh so much. If you’re already approaching the limit according to local building codes, you may not be able to add another layer to your roof. Your professional roofer will be able to calculate the weight of your current and additional roofing materials to determine whether or not your roof is a candidate for having a new layer.

If you’re in the market for a new roof or roof repair, it’s important to put time and effort into vetting potential Orange County roofing contractors. Luckily, this is easier than ever with the power of the internet. Today, there are plenty of online resources you can use to check out potential roofers’ credentials and customer reviews. Here are just seven resources you can use today to check out potential roofing companies for your next project:

1.California Contractor State License Board

At a minimum, any roofing contractor you hire should have a license from the California Contractor State License Board (CSLB). You’ll need to look for the company’s license number on its website or marketing materials, and be sure that the contractor can complete the work that you need to have done. Ideally, your Orange County roofing company will be able to handle any sort of roofing project, just in case any additional issues pop up during your project’s process.

2.Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau is the best place to go for potential negative reviews of roofers and other contractors. While customers technically can leave good feedback with the BBB, they’re most likely to leave negative feedback. But you should still check out the roofer’s history to see if they’ve had any complaints in the past few years. Also, you can see if a business is accredited with the BBB and what sort of overall rating they have.

3.National Roofing Contractor Association

This third-party association, and others like it, certify members’ knowledge of current industry standards and practices. They also ensure that contractors cooperate with local safety guidelines. Membership in one of these associations isn’t mandatory when looking for a great Orange County roofing contractor. But it can show that your contractor is serious about staying up-to-date on the latest trends and practices.

4.Manufacturer’s Certifications

In order to install certain materials, roofers actually need to be certified by the manufacturer. Otherwise, you risk paying an arm and a leg for high-quality materials, but missing out on your warranty. This is because contractors must be certified by the manufacturer in order to install materials under a warranty. If you have a particular manufacturer or material in mind for your roofing project, you should definitely be sure that your contractor has the appropriate certifications in place.

5.Government Certifications

Some contractors get involved in optional government programs, such as recycling programs that allow them to safely recycle certain used roofing materials. Contractors could also participate in programs for lead remediation and other similar programs. Most of the time, contractors will show off these certifications on their marketing materials, but you may want to verify them independently wherever possible.

6.Social Media

Looking for real reviews by customers of your potential roofer? Look at social media. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn can be a great place to find review from individuals who have dealt directly with the company in question. Plus, you can always ask friends on these networks if they’ve dealt with local contractors for their own roofing problems. You might be surprised at how much advice you can get from other locals.

7.Third-Party Review Websites

Can’t find the feedback you’re looking for on social media? Check out third-party review websites like Angie’s List. These websites are great because they may actually vet the reviewers to ensure that they’ve actually dealt with the company in question. Other websites are open to anyone, but most reviews will be reasonable and from real customers.

Aside from these seven resources, be sure that you also talk directly to the contractor in question. You should always get in-person estimates for your job. This is a great option because it doesn’t just give you a total price for your project, but also a feel for how the contractor communicates and values customers.

Working through resources like these does take time. But it’s worth your while when it results in a great contractor that works well for your particular project. Take your time when considering these and other indicators of a contractors’ qualifications. And be sure to look at multiple contractors when looking for someone to fulfill your roofing needs.

If you have any questions, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established Orange County roofer in Tustin and surrounding areas, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every residential roofing need and situation. Wherever and whenever you need roofing services in OC, you definitely can count on Luke Roofing.

When it comes to the exterior of your home, some problems can be let go for a while. Maybe your home needs a good cleaning, but you want to wait until next summer. No problem. But when it comes to your roof, there are plenty of issues you definitely don’t want to wait on fixing.

Remember, your roof protects the rest of your home. So when there’s damage to your roof, you’re putting your entire home at risk. No, roofing repairs aren’t necessarily the things you want to spend money on. But without a solid roof in excellent shape, you stand to lose much more in your home.

No homeowner likes to hear that they need a new roof. Roofs, after all, are expensive. So it can be tempting to skimp on roofing costs. A little here. A little there. What can it hurt?

So you use less expensive materials, or hire a contractor at a cut rate. What difference does that really make, in the long run? This is especially tempting if you’re not planning to stay in the home for more than a few years anyway. You’ll never see the return on investment for a more expensive roof, or so you think.

But when it comes to roofing, it’s one of the biggest and most important investments that you’ll make in your home. After all, a roof is what protects and covers the rest of your home, which makes it a pretty important part of the whole.

Most of the time, homeowners think of their home’s roof as nothing more than a utility. It’s just something that has to be replaced once in a while to be functional. But depending on your roofline, your roof could account for nearly half of what people see when they walk or drive past your home. That’s some serious real estate for the eyes, and you want to be sure that it looks great!

Luckily, adding curb appeal with a new roof isn’t that difficult, especially with all of the options on the market today. Here are a few ideas for updating your roof to create more curb appeal:

You look up in the spring and notice that the shingles on your roof are looking a little curled-under or wavy. That’s not good! If your shingles look like that, or if you’re missing lots of clay tiles, it may be time to replace your roof.

This is a project no homeowner looks forward to. But tackling your roof replacement sooner rather than later may actually save you money. If you can replace the roofing material before the underlying plywood is damaged, you’ll save a ton!

The actual cost of replacing your roof will depend on a number of factors. And only a qualified contractor can tell you exactly how much your roof replacement project will cost. The best Orange County roofing company will be up front with a quote, and will detail exactly what goes into that final cost.

Tile roofs are some of the most popular options in Orange County, California - and for good reason! They’re long-lasting and incredibly energy-efficient in hotter climates. Plus, they’re a classic look with the area’s typical Spanish-inspired architecture. (But they also look great with more traditional types of architecture.)

Orange County roofing companies install many of these types of roofs each year. And the best roofing company will walk you through all your available options when it comes to a tile roof. While you’ve got many choices to make when it comes to your new tile roof - from style to color - the first and most basic choice is which type of tile you’ll use.

Tile roofs come in two basic options: concrete and clay. So what’s the difference between the two? Here’s an outline of the basic differences between these two types of tile roofs:

Cost

First, let’s look at the bottom line. Typically, clay tiles are more expensive than concrete. The average cost per square (100 square feet) for clay tiles is $700-$1,000. The average cost per square for concrete tiles is typically $400-$900 per square.

Of course, when comparing costs, it’s important to ask the Orange County roofing companies you’re vetting about the total costs of each type of roof. Also, ask which brands and types of tile they offer in each option. The goal should be to get an idea of overall costs - including installation - and not just costs for the raw materials.

The best roofers in Orange County know a thing or two about clay tile roofs. After all, they’re some of the most popular roofs around this area. They fit right in to the Spanish-inspired feel of many Orange County homes. But clay tile roofs can work well with many other home styles, too, and they have tons of advantages.

Getting ready to replace your tile roof, or thinking of a switch to tile from another type of roofing material? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions the best roofers in Orange County are asked regularly:

1. Isn’t tile expensive?

Yes and no.

The answer to this question is yes because, on the front end, tile roofs are more expensive than their asphalt counterparts. Typically, concrete tiles cost about three times more than high-quality asphalt shingles, and clay tiles cost a bit more than that. This type of roofing is much less expensive than the increasingly-popular slate, however.

3 Telltale Signs that Your Roof Needs Replaced

Has it been a while since the roof on your home has been replaced? Do you think it’s time to replace your shingle or tile roof in Orange County? Here are 3 signs to look for that will let you know if your roof needs to be replaced:

1. Signs of water damage or leaking

If you don’t have an attic - or if you use your attic as living space - this one will be obvious. You’ll suddenly feel a drip or see water coming down the ceiling or into the walls. But if your only in your attic twice a year to take down and then put away your holiday decorations, you might need to check out that attic.