Why DIY or "The Guy Who Knows a Little" Isn't for Roofing

Is your roof in need of repair but you want to save as much money as possible? The solution is NOT to DIY or find an unprofessional to do it. Other than the fact that it costs less to repair a roof correctly the first time, know that it's detrimental if you don’t hire a professional roofer.

Should You Trust Unlicensed Roofers?
When you DIY your roof repairs, replacements, or hire an unlicensed servicer, there is room for many disasters:

• First off, it's illegal to hire an unlicensed roofer in Michigan. So, you can't get any legal assistance with disputes you may have, and you may get in trouble with your local municipality.
• Did you know that two thousand people die yearly from falling off a roof? Chances are, your roof is steeper than it looks. When homeowners tackle a project by themselves, it's common to experience bruises, twisted ankles, bee or wasp stings, and back injuries. Even if someone inexperienced gets hurt, someone may hold you liable.
• Unprofessional roofers could be using cheap or improper materials while doing “more affordable” labor. For example, they might not know nail guns are bad for shingles. On the contrary, professionals buy materials in bulk and take less time completing projects, so they can charge you less.
• You want your roof to look as aesthetically pleasing as possible. If you can't achieve that after spending time and money on the equipment, you're sure to be kicking yourself down the road.
• DIY projects usually take longer than anticipated. And with Michigan’s weather, it’s hard to predict when you’ll get a long enough stretch of good weather for someone unaccustomed to working in the rain and even snow. If the weather is nice enough to work on your roof, you'd likely enjoy your time more spent with loved ones outdoors. For example, you could have a family beach day, a hike, a picnic, or an afternoon on a boat.
• It takes time to develop the skills required to repair leaks and shingles. Furthermore, not all roof damage is apparent. For instance, an unprofessional may feel compelled to layer new shingles over old ones instead of stripping them for further investigation.
  1. That would be a no-go because you need to be able to see whatever leaks are lurking underneath the old shingles, causing further damage to your house that you may not even realize.
  2. Additionally, layering shingles traps heat between them, causing damage to the fresh ones. Layering can shorten your roof's lifespan by 40%!
• Only licensed professionals can guarantee your roof a warranty and insurance.
• As mentioned before, if you entrust someone who can't do a good job, you'll have to pay more money to get your roof fixed, including further damage the unprofessional may have caused.
• Regarding adding problems to your roof, just Google "roofing disasters." You'll find leaks, waterfalls, cracks, and pounding noises from your roof.

So, if you need roofing done in West Michigan, fill out our contact form for a FREE ESTIMATE. We are licensed, experienced, and do not hire out to other subcontractors, three essential qualities in roofing, unless you want to face the consequences we mentioned.

No job is too big or too small for Town Corners Roofing and Exteriors!

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