For a better experience with your roof replacement, here are five key questions to ask your residential roofing company in Essex County.
1. How long after a roofing consultation does work begin?
Preparations for a roof replacement are usually straightforward enough that work can begin as soon as a roofer’s schedule allows. If emergency work is required, the contractor must be willing to make your project a priority. Look for a local, well-established roofing contractor who has the capacity to promptly work you into their schedule.
For roof replacements, the crew must be scheduled and the roofing supplies must arrive. The contractor needs to arrange for the delivery of a debris container, ideally a day or two before the work begins. This is particularly important when the old roofing must be completely torn off down to the roof deck.
2. Does a new roof save money on energy?
Yes. It is possible for energy savings to offset some of the cost of a new roof. First, your existing roof may have been installed before more stringent codes went into effect. Your new roof system may need to include additional insulation. A new roof installed to code may reduce your heating bills in the winter and your cooling costs in the summer.
Second, special shingles with highly reflective granules return relatively more UV light into space rather than absorbing it as heat. One example is the Timberline Cool Series from GAF.
Third, a new roof will typically have better air seals around common roof penetrations likes vents, pipes and chimneys. Over many years of weather extremes, rubber seals, flashing and caulk may deteriorate. Finally, it is often possible to improve roof ventilation during the installation. Consider upgrades to ridge vents, soffit vents and other ventilation devices. Baffles can be used to improve attic ventilation.
3. Can I put solar panels on the roof in the future?
If you think you may want to invest in rooftop solar at some point, it is reassuring to know that modern residential roofs can be designed to accommodate solar panels in the future.
You may find it interesting to know that New Jersey is a now a leading solar energy state. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), New Jersey now has a total of more than 2.4 GW of installed solar capacity at more than 90,000 locations.
Rooftop solar panels have come a long way in a short time. Prices have come way down, and new designs integrate better into residential roof systems. For example, DecoTech solar panels from GAF feature an elegant, low-profile look that reinvents residential solar.
4. Will a new roof add value to my home?
An investment in a new roof increases the value of your home. A roof installed by a factory-certified residential roofing company in Essex County tends to retain a decent share of its original cost.
Fortunately, there is research that gives you a clear idea of just how much a new roof might increase your home’s value. Every year, Remodeling magazine publishes its Cost vs. Value Report, which compiles cost data for 21 common remodeling projects in almost 150 U.S. markets.
The report reveals that an average of 68.4 percent of thecost of a midrange roofing replacement is recouped at resale. For purposes of compiling the data, New Jersey is considered part of the “South Atlantic” region. In that region, the amount recouped is, 69.2 percent, even higher than the national average. The data suggest that, on average, homeowners stand to recoup about $690 of every $1000 they invest in a new roof when they sell. Even if you retain ownership, increased property values may have a positive impact on future mortgage refinancing.
5. Will a new roof raise my taxes?
The fact that a new roof increases the value of a home also raises the possibility of an updated tax assessment and increased property taxes. For tax purposes, however, a roof repair is typically considered ongoing maintenance. Only a full roof replacement is considered a capital improvement that may trigger a property tax increase at some point.
Also, as TurboTax states, “You add the cost of capital improvements to your tax basis in the house.” A major home improvement like a new roof typically affects the “adjusted cost basis” of the original price. Should you sell your home for a profit, this adjusted figure reduces the profit, which reduces any capital gains taxes due on that profit.
Finally, any questions regarding home improvements and taxes should be directed to your professional tax advisor or tax attorney.
Contact CRS Today
When you need an experienced, reputable residential roofing company in Essex County, look to the experts at CRS. Since 1977, we’ve developed a reputation for completing successful roofing projects of all kinds, including roof replacements, repairs and emergency service.
When it comes to the roof protecting your home and its occupants, your peace-of-mind is a priority. Please contact us to learn more!
