Selecting the right Roofing Contractor in Manahawkin NJ

Looking for a roofing contractor or new roof installation in Manahawkin, NJ.

Looking for a roofing contractor or new roof installation in Manahawkin, NJ.

So, you need a new roof in Manahawkin, NJ.  Where do you start?  How do you know which roofing contractor is right for you and your job?  There are many things to consider when selecting any contractor including licensing, ratings, price, and location. 

First and foremost, the contractor that you hire for any job should be licensed in the state/municipality that the job is being performed.  This lets you know that they are registered in the correct area allowing them to pull any necessary permits for the job.  Often along with licensing comes insurance.  Only select roofing contractors that are bonded and insured.  This protects you as the homeowner from unnecessary lawsuits due to injury and accidents as well as giving you a certain amount of protection regarding the job.  If you choose to use an unlicensed contractor for your new roof, you may find little to no recourse if there is a problem with the job.

What’s one of the top influences when choosing anything nowadays?  Ratings!  Everyone wants to know what other people have to say and their experiences so that you can hopefully avoid selecting the wrong contractor for your roof repair.  Check multiple listings to make sure you have the full picture and are reading honest reviews.  Checking reviews on places like the Better Business Bureau should give you a complete, authentic look at how people feel about the work they have had done.  Check the contractors own page for testimonials, ask neighbors for their references, and make note of work being done in the area and find out who they are using for their roof repair or new roof installation. 

That leads to the next big point.  Choose a roofing contractor that is local to you.  Selecting a contractor that is out of the area just does not make any sense.  You want the company you select to be familiar with the area, know the specific weather requirements of your location, have knowledge of area stores in case additional supplies are needed, and be close to the job.  Local roofing contractors have reduced commuting time, increased available work time, which all leads to a faster new roof installation.  When you select a local roofing contractor, you have better accessibility to them and them to you so that you can be more confident in the work performed.  An out-of-town contractor may not be as concerned with the quality of the job because once they are done, they probably won’t be able to get back to your area to fix any problems or assess anything you are unhappy with.

What about the cost of a new roof in Manahawkin?

Cost is of course an important factor when selecting a roofing contractor in Manahawkin.  Speak to a few contractors and ask them for estimates.  Most places will not charge you for the estimate so take advantage.  By obtaining a few different estimates, you’ll get a better feel if one or another may be charging too much.  You may not necessarily want the cheapest bid because you want a contractor who uses quality products and knows that their work is worth something.  Make sure you find out what roofing products they use and become familiar with the quality of different selections so you know what you are paying for. 

Take all of these things into consideration and you should be able to confidently select the right roofing contractor for you!

3 Major Issues That Can Ruin Your Driveway

Your driveway is an important part of your home. Not only does it feature prominently in your landscaping and how your home looks – a paver driveway in Sayreville looks much different than a concrete driveway in South River, for example – but it also provides a safe place to park your vehicles and is essentially the gateway or entrance to your property. 

That’s why it’s important to take good care of it. You don’t want your South River or Spotswood NJ sealcoating to deteriorate quickly or your paving in Sayreville to begin to erode before its time. 

While some degree of aging is inevitable, you can help put it off by keeping your eyes open for these three major issues that can cause big damage to driveways throughout New Jersey: 

Replace Cracked or Damaged Pavers

Over time, it’s not unlikely that some of the pavers or brickwork used to create your driveway will begin to crack. The bets contractors with the best material on the planet cannot stand up to the ravages of Mother Nature! That’s no reason to roll over and let it happen, though. You should protect your South River paver driveway. Every few months, scan your driveway for cracked stonework and replace as needed. If you don’t, though cracks can lead to water seepage, potholes, and more rapid damage to the driveway. Address them quickly to help your driveway last for many years to come. 

Watch For Trees and Shrubs Near Your Driveway

Landscaping can make or break your home as far as aesthetics go – few things make a house shine more than some great landscaping – but be wary. Trees and shrubs that are too close to your driveway can cause cracks, damage, erosion, and cause leveling issues. Even an asphalt driveway in Sayreville is susceptible to this sort of damage. If it’s possible to remove trees and shrubs that are near your driveway, do so. Otherwise, have a landscaper carefully trim the roots away. This will prevent them from encroaching underneath and causing damage. That’s good, because the danger of tree roots is often invisible until it’s too late. 

Watch Out For Water and Runoff

The biggest enemy of your driveway is also one of the most plentiful things out there: water. Water causes wear, erosion, and other issues that can decrease the lifespan of your driveway and age it faster than you’d like. To manage this, ensure the landscaping around your driveway allows water to properly drain from it. Also, have any downspouts from your home’s gutters drain into the yard rather than onto the driveway. This will help prevent potholes, cracks, erosion, and other issues that could cut years off your driveway’s lifespan.

From driveways in Sayreville or South River to every other part of the state, save yourself money in the long term by addressing these major issues before they become a big problem for you. Most of them can be spotted pretty early, if you have a keen eye, and once they are addressed they should be something you won’t have to worry about for a long time. You’ll be glad you did!

 

Beach Haven West Custom Home Builder Builds High Quality Homes

Residents looking for a custom home builder in Beach Haven West, Manahawkin, Long Beach Island or other shore community know that you don’t want to choose just anyone. Not when you’re aiming to build your dream home.

But having your dream home built on waterfront property is not a task to trust to just any builder. There are special considerations to keep in mind, which is why contractors like Knauth Builders LLC and others recommend you take a close look at who you’re hiring before signing any paperwork. That’s because a Beach Haven West home remodeler, Cape May builder, or other contractor should ideally have experience in making the most of the waterfront living lifestyle.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when having a custom waterfront home constructed:

Pay Special Attention To The Windows

In most homes, the windows go in fairly traditional, fairly predictable places. Same window style around the home, evenly spaced all around. So easy a child could pick out the spots where windows will go.

This is not the preferred approach when constructing a waterfront home. Those water views are important. A good home builder working on waterfront property knows that most windows should be situated to face the water, with larger bay windows used whenever possible. This provides the homeowner one of the great benefits of waterfront living: those amazing views! Even if you’re on a lagoon, looking out your window and seeing the water has a big impact on your quality of life.

Use Higher Quality Lumber

Most waterfront home building involves using 2 x 4” lumber for the wall framing. That’s perfectly adequate, as most houses are built that way, but for a quality modern house choose a builder that uses 2 x 6” lumber instead.

For example, Knauth Builders LLC, a custom home builder in Beach Haven West, used2 x 6” lumber because it makes house frames more sturdy – important when you live on the water – and provides more in-wall room for insulation, wiring, and so on. This can be the difference between a house that can withstand the elements and be modernized, and a run of the mill home.

Don’t Forget A Dock & Water Amenities

When building custom homes for boaters, it’s absolutely vital to factor in the costs, materials, time and labor for dock and water amenity construction. This is why the property owner wants a home there in the first place! Not every home remodeler in Manahawkin and other communities is equipped to do this sort of work. In fact, few are. At the very least, you want a contractor that has worked with marine contractors before in order to create a waterfront home that takes full advantage of its location on the water.

Living on the water is a rare joy. With easy access to fishing and boating, relaxing views, and more, it’s no surprise that many want a home on the water. That’s why we caution people to ensure they do it right the first time. Work with an experienced waterfront home builder and you’ll be happy for many years to come!