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What to Expect During Your Roof Installation

5th August 2024

What to Expect During Your Roof Installation

5th August 2024

In this article

    In the article we will explore the essential aspects of roofing installations and bring to light what homeowners can expect to experience during this process. A properly installed roof is not just a structural must for your home but it is vital to ensure your safety and the longevity of your home. As a homeowner, understanding the ins and outs of roofing installation is important, from choosing the right roofing materials to navigating the finer details of the process.

    Here at GM Roofing, we pride ourselves as experts in our field of roofing installations. We have years of experience and a commitment to excellence, our team at GM Roofing bring expertise to every installation we complete. We understand the importance of a reliable roof in protecting your investment, we offer guarantees on all of our work to ensure you are happy and your home is protected after completing the installation. 

    This article will guide you through the process of a roofing installation and help you to make informed decisions about your home.

    Key Takeaways

    The Key takeaways of this article are that there is a process and different stages that you go through when choosing GM Roofing for your roofing installation. 

    Some key points to note from this article include:

    • Understanding the importance of choosing the right roofing contractor involves looking at previous work and experience to know that you are making the right choice for you.
    • Knowing the roofing materials that are on offer and what kind of material you can choose for your home.
    • How you can best prepare your home and the people that live there to reduce the disturbance a roofing installation may cause due to noise and additional people being on the property.
    • Understanding the whole process of a roofing installation here at GM Roofing and what you can expect in detail from the first point of contact to appointment arrangements, installation and also aftercare.

    Overview of the steps involved in roof installation.

    Choosing the right contractor for your roofing installation is a decision that can significantly impact the longevity, durability and overall performance of your roof. An experienced and reliable contractor ensures that the installation process is executed with high precision, high quality materials and most importantly that your roof adheres to the industry standards. This not only ensures that you walk away with a sturdy roof but it also helps to guarantee the overall safety of your home. 

    In the roofing industry, experience matters. That’s where GM Roofing comes up on top. With over 16 years of operation and combined experience of over 2 decades, we stand out as industry leaders and seasoned professionals in our industry. Our long-standing presence in the local roofing industry reflects our commitment to delivering outstanding service and most importantly to us, customer satisfaction.

    When choosing your roofing contractor you should consider all aspects of the installation from surveying, customer service and the quality of the finished installation. When you choose GM Roofing as your roofing contractor, you’re not just getting your roofing installation but you’re getting the excellent customer service and the journey as a whole that we offer as a trust-worthy and experienced company.

    Choosing Roofing Materials

    There are different roofing types that we offer here at GM Roofing. They include:

    EPDM Rubber

    EPDM rubber is the go-to material for flat roofs. EPDM rubber is tough, weatherproof and handles UV rays well. It is low maintenance and stands well against the elements.

    Tiled Roofing

    Tiled roofing brings a sense of timeless charm to your home. There is a vast array of options you can choose from with different style and colour options. The tiles are durable and weather resistant, more than capable of handling harsh weather conditions. However tiled roofing is heavy, your roof’s structure needs to be strong enough to support them and withstand the weight.

    Remedial Roofing Repairs

    Remedial repairs consist of the same material currently on the roof. This may be the EPDM rubber, tiled roofing, slates or any other roofing material/s that are currently on your roof. The material for this roofing requirement doesn’t necessarily change however it does improve your roof and will get it back to performing how it should.

    Fascias, Soffits & Guttering

    There are a couple of options for different materials when it comes to FSG work. These include:

    • UPVC: upvc as a material for FSG work is the most common and what you will find on the majority of homes in the UK. UPVC is a great material choice as it is low maintenance, durable and is resistant to weathering, meaning it won't corrode away or rot at all. The only small downside to this material is that it may fade in colour overtime due to UV exposure.
    • Aluminium - aluminium FSG isn’t as common in the UK but it does still occur. The upside of aluminium FSG materials is that it is lightweight, rust resistant and highly durable. However the potential downsides of aluminium materials for FSG work is that it can dent easily & it can also be an expensive material.
    • Composite - some of the advantages of composite materials for FSg work are that composite is made up of a combination of materials that gives a balance of durability and aesthetics, combining the best aspects of each material to create a great one. However the downside of composite materials for FSG work is that it can be significantly more expensive than the other materials listed here. It is also not as common as the other materials mentioned here therefore it could be harder to get hold of.

    Roofing Replacements

    Roofing replacements can become any material that you desire (within reason of course) to completely revamp your roof and get it back on track performance and aesthetic wise. Re-roofs are chosen and also suggested when your current roof isn't performing as it should and is not able to be repaired. There are many material options available when you decide to replace your roofing. These include: EPDM Rubber, Clay tiles, Slate tiles and more. Take a look at our blog post here: https://www.etc.team/guides-tips/comparing-roofing-materials to find out all about the different roofing materials that are out there and to learn what their advantages and disadvantages are.

    Preparing Your Home and Surroundings

    Preparing your home and its surroundings for your roofing installation is important to make sure the process runs smoothly and minimises any possible disruptions. 

    You can start by looking at your front/back garden, you can do this by trimming any overhanging branches, relocating any plant pots or items in the area to a safe place. This helps to prevent accidental damage and gives the roofer plenty of space to work. 

    Driveways and parking are important too. Make sure you clear your area and move vehicles away from the zone. Not only does this protect your car from potential debris but also allows the roofers to work with enough space.

    Going back inside your home, make sure your belongings are out of the way from potential damage. Loft areas and upper floors may experience vibrations and you can cover your furniture to shield from any potential dust or debris. You can also ask the roofing team that attends your installation if there is anything else they recommend for you to do to prepare for them to begin working.

    What to Do with Pets and Children

    Keeping pets and children safe

    When it comes to pets, you can make sure there is a quiet place in your home that they can go to and inform the roofing team about your pets presence. You can consider taking them out during intense work days. Create a distraction indoors for the children, explain to them what is happening and prepare them so they don’t get confused and/or overwhelmed when the work starts.

    Importance of communication with family

    Communication is key. Share the project timeline with members of the family and highlight when things are going to happen. Emphasise safety measures and rules to make sure everyone is safe. Having a well-informed family will ensure that the process is smoother and stress free installation experience.

    Communicating with Your Roofing Contractor

    Here are some of the key questions you should think about asking your contractor. When you choose GM Roofing one of our surveyors or our customer care team will be more than happy to speak to you and answer any questions regarding your installation that you may have. 

    Some questions you could consider asking us include:

    1. How long have you been in the business? Are you licensed and insured?
    2. Can I see some of your previous work? (SPOILER ALERT! You can! Check out our Facebook page)
    3. What is the estimated timeline for the project?
    4. What kind of materials will be used? What guarantees do you offer and for how long?
    5. How will the site be cleaned and handled?

    Having clear communication with the company is very important, not only to you but to us as well. Without a dedicated customer care team your phone calls, emails or messages will never go unanswered and we will answer any question you have. Why is clear communication important though? Well…

    1. It aligns expectations: it opens a dialogue to help both parties understand what the project expectations, timelines and potential challenges may be.
    2. Addresses concerns: communication allows you to express any concerns you may have.
    3. Ensures safety: clear instructions and communication about safety measures guarantees the safety of both you & your family as well as the roofing team.
    4.  Promotes flexibility: transparent communication channels means that adjustments for unexpected issues arise during the process.

    The Roof Installation Steps

    The process of the roofing installation here at GM Roofing is smooth and follows a process to ensure everything is done properly and to a high standard. Our process is as follows:

    1. Initial communication: you will initially get in contact with us when you have a problem or when you want to have roofing work done on your home. Our customer care department will take your details and then get back in contact with you to arrange a suitable appointment time for yourselves for one of our surveyors to visit your home and talk through the work with you and take first (rough) measurements.
    2. Quoting: our surveyor will then come back to our office and work through the requirements and contact our suppliers to get costings for the materials and they will then work with our quoting department to produce you with a quote.
    3. Acceptance: after you have received your quote and decided to accept it, our customer care department will be in contact with you to collect a deposit payment (we require a 30% deposit payment after acceptance of a quote to secure installation dates).
    4. Dates: once your deposit has been received, your works will then go to our operations department who will schedule your second survey dates and installation dates into our teams schedules. Once dates have been scheduled our customer care department will be back in touch with you to confirm the dates for second survey and installation and if any changes need to be made to the dates this step of the process will repeat to find suitable dates for you. This is also the stage of the process where any other appointments need to be made for the installation to run smoothly, for example any scaffolding that needs to be put up.
    5. Second Survey: one of our specialist surveyors will then come to your property to measure up everything accurately for the materials and installation and answer any questions you may have for the installation and if any changes need to be made they can be done so here.
    6. Installation: the next stage of the process is the installation. Here the lads will arrive on time and on schedule to the previously arranged dates you have received. The team/s will then carry out the work to a high standard and ensure the site is left clean and tidy, exactly how they found it.
    7. Quality Check: one of our surveyors will then return to the property after the team/s have finished your installation to ensure they have completed it to a high standard and to ensure you are happy with the installation.
    8. Payment: after the installation has been completed and quality checked our customer care department will then be in contact with you to collect the remaining balance of the payment.
    9. Guarantees: after payment has been made and you are happy and satisfied with your installation our customer care team will then raise guarantees for your installation. Should you have a problem with the installation your guarantee ensures that we will come back out to your home and fix the issue free of charge if it is within the guarantee period.

    Duration and Timing of Roof Installation 

    Typical durations

    Roofing installation durations can vary for a number of different factors, including how many people are on the job, how big the job is, how complicated the job is and more.

    • EPDM Rubber Roofing: for flat roofs using EPDM rubber, installation can typically take anywhere from 3 to 7 days depending on the size and complexity of the job as well as how many people are scheduled onto the job.
    • Tiled Roofing: installing tiled roofs usually spans from around 2-3 weeks. The time depends on factors such as the type of tiles, the size of the roof and any additional features that may be added or that may come up.
    • Remedial Repairs: minor roofing repairs can often be completed within a day or two however it can be longer depending on the complexity and size of the job as well as how many people are on the installation as well.
    • Fascias, Soffits and Guttering: installing or replacing these components generally takes between 1-3 days depending on the extent of the work however this can change due to manpower, job complexity and job size.

    Best time for roofing installation?

    The ideal time to have roofing work done on your home is during moderate weather conditions. This is typically late spring, summer or early autumn time. Avoiding extreme temperatures and adverse weather conditions like heavy rain, frost and snow is important. This kind of weather can end up pushing your installation back as they cant be completed safely in these conditions. Late spring and early autumn provide us with the perfect balance of mild weather. This reduces the risk of material issues and environmental issues and are optimal working conditions for our roofing teams.

    Post-Installation: Inspections and Clean-up

    So what do I do now? This is a question you might be asking after the installation is complete. So here are some things you can do once your roofing installation is complete:

    1. Final inspections: conduct a walkthrough with our surveyor to inspect the completed work.
    2. Communicate : if there is anything that needs attention during a final inspection communicate it promptly to one of our team so they can make any necessary adjustments.
    3. Post-installation care: follow any post-installation instructions our team gives you to ensure your roof keeps performing as it should without any issues.

    What is the importance of final inspections?

    1. Quality Assurance: conducting a final inspection makes sure that your roofing inspection meets your expectations of your quality standards.
    2. Clean-up: properly cleaning up is important. Our roofing teams should remove any debris, nails or other materials left behind after they have completed the installation. Our roofing teams leave the site clean and as they found it because this makes sure that your home is safe.

    Why Choose ETC for Your Roof Installation

    By choosing GM Roofing you will have a hassle free journey, where our expertise meets unmatched customer care. With over 16 years of service and well over 2 decades of experience, we stand as seasoned experts in our industry.

    Here at GM Roofing we pride ourselves on understanding the roofing industry inside out, employing skilled professionals and ensuring seamless outcomes for every customer. You can trust us to not only meet but exceed your expectations.

    Choose GM Roofing for a roofing experience that combines skill and expertise with customer service and satisfaction.

    Conclusion

    To round off our article, a professional roof installation is important for the safety and longevity of your home. GM Roofing, having over 16 years in the roofing industry, comes out as the reliable choice for a smooth and hassle free installation. Our professional roofers, commitment to quality and customer satisfaction highlight our reputation. Trust in us here at GM Roofing for your roofing installation.

    Your peace of mind is our priority, making sure your investment stands the test of time with expertise that you can rely on. Choose GM Roofing for excellence.

    FAQs

    What kind of guarantee does GM Roofing offer for EPDM rubber roofing?

    GM Roofing offers an extensive 20-year guarantee encompassing all completed work. Whether you face quality concerns, general inquiries, or wish to discuss your installation, our approachable customer care team remains available for assistance, even post-guarantee expiry. With adequate maintenance, EPDM roofs can provide extended coverage, exceeding 50 years. The fully adhered EPDM roofing system, once installed, showcases exceptional flexibility and versatility in its applications.

    Is planning permission required for property re-roofing?

    It is unlikely that obtaining planning permission is necessary for property re-roofing or the installation of windows and skylights. Our surveyor will provide assistance and guidance during your survey to address any related queries or concerns.

    How is product quality guaranteed?

    Our suppliers adhere to ISO standards 9001 and 14001, promoting ongoing enhancement in operations, processes, and procedures. This guarantees that our customers consistently receive products of the utmost quality.

    How much does a survey cost?

    GM Roofing provides a free, no-obligation survey and quotation service. Our customer care team will schedule a meeting with one of our company directors who will personally visit your home to discuss your needs. They will conduct a survey of the intended work, and based on this, we will furnish you with a detailed quotation—all at no cost to you.

    Discover Top-Quality Roofing Services with GM Roofing

    Ready for a roofing transformation? Visit our services page to learn more about our expert installations, premium materials, and unbeatable customer care. Trust GM Roofing to protect your home with excellence and reliability.