Should you choose a roofer or a general contractor?

One of the most crucial choices you'll have to make is who to employ to fix or replace your roof. A lot of homeowners don't know if they should choose a roofing expert or a general contractor. At first glance, it looks like both pros can do the job. But the differences between them can have a big impact on how much they cost, how good they are, how long they last, what the warranty covers, and how well they operate over time.

Your roof is more than just a part of your home's structure. It keeps your family, your things, and the structure of your property safe from the weather. It keeps rain, wind, snow, UV rays, and excessively hot or cold temperatures from getting inside your home. If you pick the wrong roof, it could leak, get moldy, damage your insulation, and cost you a lot of money to fix later.

You can make a smart, confident choice that will keep your money safe for years to come if you know the difference between a general contractor and a roofing expert.

What a General Contractor Does

When a project needs more than one sort of work, a general contractor (GC) is in charge of building or remodeling it. They are in responsible of drafting plans, setting budgets, getting permits, and making sure that all the plumbers, electricians, framers, and roofers work together.

A general contractor might do the following on roofing jobs:

Do the work on the roof yourself

Get someone else to do the work on the roof

Take charge of the installation as part of a bigger remodeling job.

Make changes to the framing of the structure

General contractors are the best choice for big remodeling jobs. If you're building a new house, adding a second floor, or doing a big renovation that involves a lot of structural and interior work, a general contractor can do it all.

Why You Should Hire a General Contractor

Someone to talk to about the whole issue

Working with people from many different trades

It's easier to manage projects

Made it simple for us to talk to each other

Things a General Contractor Can't Do

They might not be particularly skilled at putting up roofs.

They often hire other people to do the roof work.

Management fees could add to the cost of products.

Not many roof manufacturers have certificates.

A general contractor can assist keep things organized and operating well when roofing is just one aspect of a wider building project.

What a Roofing Expert Does

A professional roofer only works on rooftops. Putting up, fixing, checking, planning ventilation, flashing systems, waterproofing, and figuring out how well things perform are all parts of their profession.

They work with every day:

Shingles made of asphalt

Roofing systems made of metal

Slate and tiles

Membranes for flat roofs

Materials for the base layer

Parts for air flow

Flashing systems

They learn a lot about roofing and get a lot of practice because it's their job.

Why You Should Hire a Professional Roofer

More advanced information about roofs

Installation that the maker has said is okay

Teams that have been taught how to work on roofs

Guarantees for good work

Planning for better waterproofing and air flow

Faster times to finish

Things a Roofing Professional Can't Do

Only does work on roofs

Not suited for big modifications to the structure

When it comes to jobs that only involve roofing, professionals usually know more about the systems and are better at them.

The main differences in what you know and can do

Putting a roof on a house is not easy. They are more than just putting shingles on the roof. To put things in the right place, you need to know how to control moisture, make flashing, spread structural weight, and control drainage patterns.

What roofing professionals know how to do:

Putting the underlayment in the right spot

Putting up a barrier against ice and water

Finding a good balance between ridge and soffit ventilation

Putting flashing around valleys and chimneys

Waterproof membrane systems

Instructions for installation from the maker

What a General Contractor Needs to Know:

Taking care of every area of the building

Putting the structure together

Checking if the budget is correct

Managing several trades

Both kinds of workers are useful, but roofing professionals spend years getting better at their job, which is something that only roofers do.

Things to think about when it comes to cost

A lot of individuals think that a general contractor might charge less. But for jobs that only need roofing, roofing specialists can be cheaper.

Why roofing professionals might charge less

Subcontractors don't charge extra.

Getting stuff directly

Roofing crews with unique skills

Finish the work faster

Not as much work to do

A general contractor usually hires a roofing subcontractor and then adds a management charge to the total cost of the job. That extra expenditure could make the roof worse and raise the total cost.

Certifications from the manufacturer and coverage under the warranty

It's very important to know what the guarantee covers for roofing work.

Most of the time, roofers need:

Installers with a certificate

Approved systems for laying down flooring

Adding the correct kind of air flow

Doing what the maker says to do

Roofers often have certificates from the companies that create the materials, which lets them offer:

Longer product warranties

Better job guarantees

Rules-following papers

General contractors might not have certificates from the producers directly, which could limit the options for warranties.

Things to think about for safety and responsibility

One of the most dangerous jobs in construction is roofing. When you fall, use tools wrong, or are outside in terrible weather, the risk goes up.

Most of the time, experienced roofers accomplish these things:

Follow the safety rules that OSHA has set.

Use systems to safeguard individuals from falling.

Show the group how to stay safe

Get insurance that covers work on roofs.

Safety guidelines make a project safer and less responsible.

When you should hire a general contractor

If you want to hire a general contractor, you might want to

You are putting in a second floor.

The framing of the structure has to be altered.

Putting in a new roof is part of a big remodeling job.

You need to work with a lot of different trades.

The work that insurance pays for to fix the house impacts several parts of it.

In some circumstances, centralized administration makes it easier to get things done.

When to Hire a Roofer

For most common roofing jobs, it's best to hire a pro.

If you need one, you should employ a roofing expert.

You only need to fix the roof.

You are fixing damage that storms or hail did.

You want your roof to survive as long as possible.

You need some stuff

You want the company that made it to give you longer warranties.

You need to improve your ventilation system.

Roofing professionals know how to help roofs last longer.

Long-Term Value Comparison

Depending on the type of material used, a roof that is built correctly can endure anywhere from 20 to 50 years. The lifespan could be shortened in half if the installation is bad.

Choosing a roofing expert can lead to:

Less work to do later

Less likely to leak

It costs less to keep up.

Using energy in a smarter way

You get more money when you sell it.

In most cases, the long-term return on investment is more important than tiny differences in initial costs.

How to Make Choices

To help you make a choice:

If you need help with your roof,

Your only job is to roof.

You want someone who knows how to do the job to do it.

You put protection under warranty first.

You want things to be done faster.

If you want a general contractor,

The roof is part of a big change.

The structure has to be changed.

You like to run projects from one place.

It's important to know what the project is about.

Final Thoughts

Your house's roof keeps everything inside safe. If you hire the correct individual, you will be safe for a long time.

A roofing professional usually knows more about the technical side of things, offers superior guarantee coverage, and does work that lasts longer when it comes to jobs that simply involve roofing. If you want to undertake a lot of work on your home or expand on to it, you might need a general contractor to help you with the whole thing.

You can choose the best option based on your goals, budget, and how difficult the job is.

Choosing the correct professional is the first step to getting a roof that lasts.

Make a smart choice.

Common Questions (FAQs)

Should you choose a roofing contractor instead of a general contractor?

Yes, for jobs that solely include roofing. Roofing experts know more about the technical side of things and can better safeguard your warranties.

Do general contractors engage other people to put roofs on?

Yes, a lot of the time. A lot of general contractors use roofing subcontractors and charge more to keep an eye on them.

Is it cheaper to hire a professional roofer?

Yes, in a lot of circumstances. If roofing specialists don't include a markup for subcontractors, they might be able to charge less.

Who has the best warranty?

Most of the time, roofing professionals have certificates from the companies that provide the materials. This lets them offer longer warranties and guarantees on their work.

Is it possible for a general contractor to really do a good job putting on a roof?

Some people can, but they may not have the right training or experience working on roofs every day.

Who is the best at finishing roofing work quickly?

Roofing contractors often accomplish projects that merely need roofing faster because they have unique tools and people.

Should I receive more than one estimate?

Yes. Before choosing a choice, always read at least three quotes that are printed.

Is it necessary to have roof ventilation?

Yes. Good ventilation keeps moisture from building up, makes roofs last longer, and saves energy.