Looking to replace your roof? It’s fair to say the idea can be overwhelming as a whole. However, if you break it down into manageable steps, you could soon be on your way to having a beautiful new roof protecting your property. In this post, we’ll look at four simple steps you’ll need to take to replace your roof.
1. Deciding what you want
First things first, you’ll need to decide what kind of roof you want. Is it pitched or flat? If it’s flat, do you want GRP or a simple bituminous covering? If it’s pitched, what kind of tiles would best suit your style and budget?
These questions might not be something you’re sure about, so it’s best to do your research online or by speaking to your local roofing company.
2. Checking permission
Once you know what you want, the next step is to check the relevant permissions for your property. First of all, is your property a listed building or located in a conservation area? If so, there will be lots of restrictions in terms of what you can change and the materials you can use.
To check if your property is in a conservation area, get in touch with your local council – which you can find through Gov.uk. You can find out if your property is listed by simply searching the National Heritage List for England.
On top of that, you’ll need to consider planning permission. For the vast majority of roof replacements, this won’t be an issue. However, you may need planning permission if you want to:
- Alter the existing roof plane by 150 millimetres or more
- Make any alteration higher than the highest part of the existing roof
- Install any dormers
3. Comparing contractors
After that, it’s time to compare roofing contractors. You may already have a company in mind if they have provided good advice for your plans so far. Even so, it’s worth getting a few quotes to see how each company would price things up and if there’s anything included in some quotes that others miss out – such as warranties or guarantees.
Be wary of significantly cheap quotes as these may involve cutting corners or using cheap materials. That could cost you more in the long run as your new roof needs repairing or even replacing.
4. Installation
Finally, installation. For a standard domestic roof, this will take between one and three days. Of course, this depends on the size of the job and any other complexities such as access (it can take longer if scaffolding is needed) or weather conditions.
Most reputable roofing companies will be able to give you a time estimate for the job when they quote for it. They should also be able to work around your schedule as much as possible.
Expert roofers in Pontefract
If you’re considering a roof replacement, DPR Roofing is on hand to help every step of the way. Whether you’re choosing between materials, applying for planning permission or just want a no-obligation quote, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Pontefract roofers on 01977 220016.