Welcome to the Elite Custom Contracting FAQ page. Here you will find answers to some of the more common questions that we get from time to time. We hope that you find this page useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
How do I choose the right contractor?
First and foremost go with your gut feeling. Depending on the size of the project you could potentially be spending a lot of time with your contractor so you want to make sure you’re comfortable with them. Be sure the contractor explains things to you; since your home is a large investment (personally and monetarily) you should know how and why things are being done the way they are. You should ask questions and plenty of them; take the time to write them down so when the contractor comes out to meet with you, they will be handy.
How many references should I ask for?
The contractor should offer at least 3-4 references, however you can ask for as many as you feel you need to insure they are reputable. Elite Custom Contracting encourages you to ask for references as well as check with your local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce. Both of these are great ways to insure the reputation of your contractor.
Should I actually contact these references?
Absolutely, you want to know how the overall experience was for the customers and if they would use that contractor again. Question the timeliness, daily cleanliness of the job site and employees, availability of the contractor on a daily basis and most importantly the quality of the work! It’s also good to ask if there were any problem after the job was completed, how responsive was the contractor on getting back to them.
What else can I do to ensure the contractor is reputable?
While references are typically the best indicators of a reputable contractor, there are several other places you can verify this information. Always check the local Better Business Bureau to be certain they are in good standing, Board of Contractors to make sure they’re licensed and always ask for proof of insurance.
What is the importance of having an insured Contractor?
It is essential to make sure the contractor has insurance. Let’s say you hire a contractor without insurance because the cost is a little less. If anything happens to that contractor or the employees while working on your project you would be liable for the damages. Most likely if the contractor does NOT have insurance they also don’t have the money to correct any mistakes. If the contractor is insured that will give you the peace of mind that should anything go wrong it’s that contractor’s responsibility to correct the mistake.
If I have storm damage to my roof or some other part of my house, what should I do?
Always contact your insurance company first to report the damage. Typically an adjuster will come out to assess the damages and see if simple repairs can be done or if there is a need for more extensive work. Don’t worry, because your insurance will pay for these damages in either case based on your coverage. Elite Custom Contracting suggests you have your contractor meet with the adjuster so they can assess the damages together. Insurance companies sometimes might feel that “minor” repairs are all that is needed but having your contractor there will help to insure that the assessment is in your best interest. At Elite Custom Contracting we gladly meet with your insurance adjuster and work with them directly so your home can be repaired as quickly as possible and fixed in a timely manner.
What if I can’t reach my insurance company and my home is exposed?
Most insurance companies recommend that if your home is exposed and you are unable to reach them you should call someone immediately for a temporary repair to prevent further damage. If you are unsure of what to do please give our office a call and we can help you determine the best course of action.
What are “Handy Man Services?”
Handy man services are those little fix up projects that seem to pop up in the most inconvenient time or the “Honey Do” list. They are repairs such as, child proofing your home, putting up new shelves or installing closet organizers, maybe it’s repairing that rotting railing or replacing a couple of boards on your deck. It’s anything that you feel needs to be done but either are not sure how to do or just don’t have the time.
Do I need a new roof?
There are multiple factors when determining if you need a new roof. Most common shingles (asphalt) have a 20 - 30 year life. Sometimes when you change the siding or add an addition you want to change the shingles for esthetics. The other time is if there has been a natural disaster (wind/hail storms, hurricane, etc) and shingles have been removed thank you to “Mother Nature”.
What will the shingles look like if they need to be replaced?
Sometimes shingles will curl and/or buckle giving your roof a “wavy” look and sometimes you will see missing granules on the shingles. These are signs they should be replaced. Also if you try bending a shingle and it breaks then typically it’s time to have them replaced.
Will my roof leak if there are missing shingles?
Depending on where they’re located you could potentially have a leaking roof at some point. Best advice is to get them replaced as soon as you can to prevent this from happening.
What materials are needed to replace my roof?
There are several products that will work together to ensure the maximum life of your roof: Shingles, roof felt, ice and water shield, roof vents and flashing.
Why do I need “ice and water shield”?
Ice and water shield is a code requirement but it also gives you an additional moisture barrier when the roof is exposed to snow and ice buildup. The first 3 feet up from the roof edge needs the ice and water shield as well as the valleys; it’s unnecessary to cover the entire roof.
Will the entire roof have to be torn off?
Sometimes, yes. It’s possible you don’t have to if there is only one layer of shingles on the roof, however it’s highly recommended you still tear it off. The reason for this is there could always be damage under that original layer of shingles, particularly to the sheathing, and you will never know unless you start from scratch. This way anything under the shingles can be repaired if need be.
First and foremost go with your gut feeling. Depending on the size of the project you could potentially be spending a lot of time with your contractor so you want to make sure you’re comfortable with them. Be sure the contractor explains things to you; since your home is a large investment (personally and monetarily) you should know how and why things are being done the way they are. You should ask questions and plenty of them; take the time to write them down so when the contractor comes out to meet with you, they will be handy.
How many references should I ask for?
The contractor should offer at least 3-4 references, however you can ask for as many as you feel you need to insure they are reputable. Elite Custom Contracting encourages you to ask for references as well as check with your local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce. Both of these are great ways to insure the reputation of your contractor.
Should I actually contact these references?
Absolutely, you want to know how the overall experience was for the customers and if they would use that contractor again. Question the timeliness, daily cleanliness of the job site and employees, availability of the contractor on a daily basis and most importantly the quality of the work! It’s also good to ask if there were any problem after the job was completed, how responsive was the contractor on getting back to them.
What else can I do to ensure the contractor is reputable?
While references are typically the best indicators of a reputable contractor, there are several other places you can verify this information. Always check the local Better Business Bureau to be certain they are in good standing, Board of Contractors to make sure they’re licensed and always ask for proof of insurance.
What is the importance of having an insured Contractor?
It is essential to make sure the contractor has insurance. Let’s say you hire a contractor without insurance because the cost is a little less. If anything happens to that contractor or the employees while working on your project you would be liable for the damages. Most likely if the contractor does NOT have insurance they also don’t have the money to correct any mistakes. If the contractor is insured that will give you the peace of mind that should anything go wrong it’s that contractor’s responsibility to correct the mistake.
If I have storm damage to my roof or some other part of my house, what should I do?
Always contact your insurance company first to report the damage. Typically an adjuster will come out to assess the damages and see if simple repairs can be done or if there is a need for more extensive work. Don’t worry, because your insurance will pay for these damages in either case based on your coverage. Elite Custom Contracting suggests you have your contractor meet with the adjuster so they can assess the damages together. Insurance companies sometimes might feel that “minor” repairs are all that is needed but having your contractor there will help to insure that the assessment is in your best interest. At Elite Custom Contracting we gladly meet with your insurance adjuster and work with them directly so your home can be repaired as quickly as possible and fixed in a timely manner.
What if I can’t reach my insurance company and my home is exposed?
Most insurance companies recommend that if your home is exposed and you are unable to reach them you should call someone immediately for a temporary repair to prevent further damage. If you are unsure of what to do please give our office a call and we can help you determine the best course of action.
What are “Handy Man Services?”
Handy man services are those little fix up projects that seem to pop up in the most inconvenient time or the “Honey Do” list. They are repairs such as, child proofing your home, putting up new shelves or installing closet organizers, maybe it’s repairing that rotting railing or replacing a couple of boards on your deck. It’s anything that you feel needs to be done but either are not sure how to do or just don’t have the time.
Do I need a new roof?
There are multiple factors when determining if you need a new roof. Most common shingles (asphalt) have a 20 - 30 year life. Sometimes when you change the siding or add an addition you want to change the shingles for esthetics. The other time is if there has been a natural disaster (wind/hail storms, hurricane, etc) and shingles have been removed thank you to “Mother Nature”.
What will the shingles look like if they need to be replaced?
Sometimes shingles will curl and/or buckle giving your roof a “wavy” look and sometimes you will see missing granules on the shingles. These are signs they should be replaced. Also if you try bending a shingle and it breaks then typically it’s time to have them replaced.
Will my roof leak if there are missing shingles?
Depending on where they’re located you could potentially have a leaking roof at some point. Best advice is to get them replaced as soon as you can to prevent this from happening.
What materials are needed to replace my roof?
There are several products that will work together to ensure the maximum life of your roof: Shingles, roof felt, ice and water shield, roof vents and flashing.
Why do I need “ice and water shield”?
Ice and water shield is a code requirement but it also gives you an additional moisture barrier when the roof is exposed to snow and ice buildup. The first 3 feet up from the roof edge needs the ice and water shield as well as the valleys; it’s unnecessary to cover the entire roof.
Will the entire roof have to be torn off?
Sometimes, yes. It’s possible you don’t have to if there is only one layer of shingles on the roof, however it’s highly recommended you still tear it off. The reason for this is there could always be damage under that original layer of shingles, particularly to the sheathing, and you will never know unless you start from scratch. This way anything under the shingles can be repaired if need be.
Call Elite Custom Contracting today! (540)752-9675
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Elite Custom Contracting, 9 Hall Lane - Fredericksburg, VA 22406