Contractors News, Tips and Information: Six Resolutions For a Better Construction Business in the New Year

Contractors News, Tips and Information: Six Resolutions For a Better Construction Business in the New Year

Winter weather and your charlotte roofing system

Well we are a few days from Christmas and the weather has been very moderate even spring like for this time of year in north Carolina. Winter is at hand and we have a few months of potential snow, ice storms and below freezing temperatures, one of the most important things to do before the harsh weather sets in is to make sure that your home's exterior is protected. This includes checking your roofing system by having an annual inspection done to make sure all pipe boots are sealed, all flashing is leak free and there are no loose or missing shingles on the roof or nail pops. There are a number of other items we check on as well.

Your charlotte roofing system protects everything you hold valuable in your home and a properly installed and maintained roof can provide decades of protection to your home.

Room 2 Roof offers a Free Roof Inspection and Low cost Roof maintenance prices if you haven't had your roof checked out today go online and submit a free inspection request at room2roof.com or call 704 549-9393

Salisbury NC Roofing - Hail Damage from 11/16/11

Salisbury North Carolina was hit with 1" to 1.50" Hail this evening and North of Salisbury NC including Spencer and East Spencer all the way up to High Rock Lake had experienced up to 1.75" Hail and Storm damage from Winds downing trees in some areas. Granite quarry and parts of Rockwell had experienced heavy winds, downed trees and sever lightning

Our company Room 2 Roof has our team in the salisbury nc area to assist customers with Storm Damage claims and Emergency repairs to prevent further damages. We are a local Salisbury NC roofing Company with locations in Kannapolis NC and Charlotte NC.

Call us at Room 2 Roof for a Free Roof Inspection in Salisbury NC, Spencer NC, Granite quarry, Rockwell, Davidson County NC, Lexington NC, High rock lake and any other surrounding areas. We are local, We are Licensed, Bonded, Insured and Certified by Certainteed as a Shingle Master Roofing Company and GAF as a Weatherstopper roofing company. We have an A rating with the BBB and Angie's list, you can call 704 549-9393 for a Free Roof Inspection and be sure to press 3 for emergency repairs 24/7.

4 Renovations that will Devalue your Home

Here is a Terrific Article from U.S. News it

4 Renovations That Will Devalue Your Home





Most homeowners think that all renovations or home improvement project ideas will increase the value of their property. After all, who wouldn't love a super-deluxe kitchen, or a bathroom fancy enough to be in a five-star spa? Sure, we'd all love that. But the problem is that most people don't want to pay extra for someone else's pet project when it comes to buying a home.

Homeowners should of course invest in renovations that are going to make them happy and improve quality of life. It is "home" after all! But if you're going to be putting your home on the market any time soon or are in the business of flipping houses, certain upgrades could end up doing you more harm than good.

[In pictures: 10 Ways to Improve Your Finances in 2011.]

If you think you might be selling your home sooner than later, here are four improvements to avoid:

1. Over-the-Top Kitchen Renovations: You may love gourmet cooking, so a $30,000 kitchen upgrade might be just to your liking. But this could be a turnoff for potential buyers who aren't crazy about cooking. To them, the restaurant-sized stainless-steel stove, kitchen island and fridge just seem excessive, and they're not going to want to pay for them. Instead, they'll pass on your home and end up buying one with a regular kitchen.

Take a look at some kitchen remodeling ideas on a budget. You can still enjoy an upgraded kitchen without going overboard and compromising the value of your home. In fact, remodeling a kitchen for less than $1,000 is definitely a possibility.

2. Over-the-Top Bathroom Renovations: That ultra-deep jacuzzi tub and custom Kohler 360-degree shower you just installed might make your mornings a blast. But to budget or eco-minded buyers, all that water use is going to be a serious drawback. As with your kitchen, keep your bathroom remodeling ideas modest if you think you'll be putting your home on the market any time soon.

3. A Pool or Hot Tub: Yes, a pool addition can add significant value to your home (11 percent on average in the Southwest, but only 6 percent in the Midwest where the swimming season is much shorter). If it's above-ground, though, then knock 2 percent of your home's purchase price, since they're less appealing than in-ground pools. The problem is that pools are polarizing. There are constant swimming pool costs ($1,500 on average per year) and they require a lot of maintenance.

They're also a liability, especially for families with young children, and could affect your homeowners insurance coverage. Pools will limit how many people want to buy your home, so keep that in mind before you have one installed (or consider buying a home with an existing pool).

[Visit the U.S. News My Money blog for the best money advice from around the web.]

4. Overly Specialized Rooms: So, you just tore down the garage (which you never used) and built a four-season sunroom which resembles an English manor conservatory. You're thrilled, but your potential buyers are going to be rolling their eyes. Where are they going to park the car and store the lawn mower and all their kids' sport equipment? Installing nontraditional customized rooms (like indoor basketball courts or a basement music studio) is great if you're going to be in your home for awhile. But potential buyers are likely to see this as a waste of space, and a project (and expense) they'll have to deal with if they buy your home.

Final Word: We all want to live in a home that reflects our tastes and interests, and our homes should be exactly how we want them to be. Just keep in mind that if you plan to sell your home in the near future, those upgrades and expensive renovations might end up devaluing the home you're trying to sell for top dollar.

Heather Levin contributes to the personal finance blog, MoneyCrashers.com, and writes about green living ideas and tips for saving money on The Greenest Dollar.

Hail damage in Kannapolis NC, Landis NC & China Grove NC

On the evening of Friday May 27, 2011 another hailstorm popped up in parts of Rowan and Cabarrus counties in NC. I was performing a roof inspection for a customer and about 5 minutes into the inspection it got real dark then the thunder began and with in two minutes the hail stones were pounding me in the head which of course made me get the hell off the roof...lol. It lasted about 5 to 7 minutes tops and most hail varied from pea sized up to golf ball sized hail and I even saw a few pieces that looked like tiny sheets of ice with rough edges.

I was in kannapolis nc about 1 mile from the North carolina research campus near mooresville rd (route 3). I live not far from that area myself and when I arrived home my yard was littered with sticks and leaves because I have massive oaks that surround my property. The next morning I drove around neighborhoods in Kannapolis, Landis NC and China Grove to see where the hardest hit areas were and talked to local residents. The damage appeared minimal in most areas but there were a few neighborhoods where folks cars had gotten dinged up pretty bad and their roofs were pretty battered, especially the 20 and 25 year shingles that were a bit older.

We have already patched a few leaks over the weekend and have done quite a few roof inspections for local residents in rowan county nc to assess their roof damage. If you happen to live in cabarrus or rowan county and would like us to come out please call us at 704 549-9393 or submit a request for a free roof inspection at http://www.room2roof.com or http://www.charlotteroofingcontractor.net . We are a local roofing and remodeling company not a storm chaser and work with your insurance adjuster to ensure that all of the damage to your home is covered under the claim. We have many incentives including up to $500 off a new roof or free shingle and roofing system upgrades.

 We are a BBB Accredited Roofer and Remodeling contractor with locations in charlotte nc and kannapolis nc. We also have an A rating on Angie's list and provide insurance information and several recent references on our first visit as well as pictures and addresses of past jobs for you to see

R2R - Roofing and Remodeling: charlotte nc university area hail damage | roofing...

R2R - Roofing and Remodeling: charlotte nc university area hail damage | roofing...: "We are currently assisting homeowners repair their homes in the University area of Charlotte NC who have experienced the wrath of our latest..."

charlotte nc university area hail damage | roofing | siding | gutters | windows | drywall repair & painting

We are currently assisting homeowners repair their homes in the University area of Charlotte NC who have experienced the wrath of our latest hail storm here on 5/11/11 in Charlotte North carolina with roofing, siding, gutters, windows and interior restoration.

Room 2 Roof is fully licensed, bonded and insured with 2 million in commercial liability with workman's compensation covering all of our employees. If you're talking to a roofing contractor in charlotte nc right now please make sure that they present this documentation to you before you sign anything and make sure that your roofing contractor is from the charlotte metro area because there are many storm chasers in town here that will put the lowest quality roof on your home and skip town to the next hail damaged area leaving you high and dry if you ever have an issue with their workmanship.

Room 2 Roof is the #1 Storm damage restoration team here in the Charlotte metro area and are a local roofing and remodeling company with over 23 years experience. Room 2 Roof is accredited with the BBB and has an A rating with no complaints since we've started our company in 2005, we have an A rating on Angie's list, 5 Star reviews on google, yahoo, judy's book, yellowpages.com, superpages.com and many other local websites.

Room 2 Roof has a team of certified roofers and roof inspectors on staff and we are a Certainteed Shingle Master company as well as a GAF Weather Stopper certified contractor which means that all of our employees have passed the necessary roofing certifications and are qualified specialists that are ready to assist you. We are also Master craftsman certified with Certainteed in Vinyl siding and Fiber cement siding a credit which very few contractors obtain. We are also one of the only roofers in nc that installs a complete roofing system and not just shingles and felt paper like most roof repair contractors in charlotte nc

We are offering a Free Upgrade to Lifetime Architectural designer shingles from Certainteed or GAF and up to $500 off your roof replacement from the hail storm damage done to your home. We understand that times are tight and we are here to help you by installing a better roofing system than you started with and assisting you with your insurance claim from start to finish to make sure that all of your damages are covered. We also have an excellent referral program that pays customers $150. for every referral that turns into a roofing, siding, window or gutter job for us.

We also offer a 10 year workmanship warranty on our installation, this is in addition the lifetime shingle warranty we present you from the roofing shingle manufacturer.

If you are in the University area of Charlotte and in need of hail damage repairs to your home contact us at 704 549-9393 or visit our websites at http://www.room2roof.com or http://www.charlotteroofingcontractor.net and find out why we are the top rated roofing company in the charlotte nc metro area.

Recent Charlotte NC | Fort Mill SC Hail Storms and the Storm Chasing Swine

hail damage in fort mill sc

For many local residents in fort mill sc, charlotte nc, rock hill sc, gastonia nc and surrounding areas it was a complete disaster. Many homes and vehicles suffered severe damage from baseball size hail that was spit from the sky saturday April 9, 2011 throughout the greater charlotte area. I've inspected over 70 homes this week and have seen broken windows, decimated patio furniture, siding that looked like someone went ballistic with a 12 gauge and roofs that had shingles sucked off by mother nature with impacts from hail that looked pock marks from the street below. Yes folks it was ugly and fort mill residents who got it the worst are still furious, and after this week I believe the rage will only increase for many.

One thing that really bothered me more than all of this damage, was the damage being done to unsuspecting homeowners seeking assistance and emergency repairs before it decides to rain again. Yes, the Storm chasers have landed by the squadrons with fancy wrapped vehicles sporting plates from states like georgia, ohio, virginia, colorado, texas, oklahoma and more all with a local charlotte nc or sc area number on the side. You see these teams of so called "Storm damage specialists" have been spewing B.S. like a 13 year old school boy trying to convince his buddies he's not a virgin anymore.

I heard things like "Yes maam that is correct your roof will be totally free, just sign here" or "We have been in the area for over 20 years now" all with a Virginia plate and a name like Carolina Roofing Company. I have inspected roofs and in the middle of talking to a customer a storm chaser walks up and interrupts trying to gain the homeowners attention, I gave him the look of doom so hard he ran back to his truck and peeled off. Imagine, the disrespect, the blatant lies (which by the way are illegal when I hear them saying they will pay their deductible) and the oversaturation of inexperienced roofing inspectors/sales reps out to cash in on the misery of local residents.

This brings up the whole reason I am writing this article: As a local customer in need of roofing, siding, possible window replacement and automobile repairs needing to be done do you want to hire some "slick willie" that strolls into town by convoy a day after disaster strikes leeching the community of their insurance claims checks, performing shoddy work and then leaving you like the teenage boy who told you he loved you back in high school just to put another notch on his belt? I should Hope not!!!

You Deserve better!.....Hire local reputable roofers in the charlotte nc, gastonia nc and fort mill areas who will be here next year and can provide a full workmanship warranty just in case a problem arises.
You will want to do a BBB check on the roofing contractor to make sure they have a good rating and also that they have not had any unanswered or unresolved complaints from customers in the charlotte nc area because this clearly shows that their concern for the customer is nada, not to mention unresolved issues say that they just want your money which usually means theyre willing to cut corners on materials and labor for installation hiring inexperienced roofing crews for a pawltry sum. Also check their insurance and workman's comp to see if they have it, if not you may be responsible for any problems that arise.

Alot of folks are also under the misconception that if a company does more than roofing that they are a "jack of all trades, master of none" and this is simply not the case. As a matter of fact Roofing is one of the easiest jobs to install in the construction field if you forget the dangers of working two or three stories up on a steep pitch. I have been installing roofs with my dad since I was about 12 years old and went to school for 4 years covering everything structural and non structural in the construction industry. My advice is to find a good well rounded knowledgable roofing and remodeling contractor that is willing to educate you on the process. You see, many roofers dont care or wont take the time help customers understand what a "complete roofing system" entails and all their options when it comes to replacing their roof.

Storm chasers usually focus on those insurance checks and skim over the details of a roofing system because they are not using all the proper quality components required to comprise a complete roofing system because they know it will cut their profits down, and bad local roofers will either not know or not care either. I always thought a roofer or remodeler is only as good as the products they use to complete the install. I've always started by tearing off the old roof, installing ice & water shield | leak barrier in the valleys, around pipes, chimneys, rakes and eaves and areas where the siding meets the roof such as a garage roof elevation. I then install drip edge around the perimeter of the home, after that, fiberglass or synthetic underlayment which blows aways felt paper by a long shot though slightly more money, it will make your roof lay flatter, be more water resistant and tear proof when the roofing crew is walking on it.

We always install "starter strip shingles" which have a seal strip right near the edge of the roof and will keep the shingles around the perimeter from wind lift during high winds, we replace all flashings starting with the chimney and build crickets where needed to diver water properly around chimneys. We install Lead boots and coat with High temperature accessory paint so you will never have a dry rotted boot cause a leak again.

We install our Roofing shingles with 6 nails to increase the wind rating up to 130 mph. We check all soffit vents to make sure there is unrestricted Air flow into the attic then we will install a high quality ridge vent like GAF cobra 3 to properly vent the attic from heat and moisture build up. We top it all off with Hip and Ridge shingles or  "caps" as old timers used to call them which are specifically designed to form around a ridge or hip on the roof and have a nailing strip which will keep them from tearing off easily. We also use sealants like Sonneborn NP1 to caulk all flashings and nail heads on the end of ridge shingles.

It is vital to  Hire a Local Roofing company in the greater charlotte area, do your homework and hire a competent contractor that uses a "roofing system" not just "shingles and paper" and make sure you're hiring a contractor that actually performed the work himself at one point in time and is not just some opportunist who never held a hammer. If you should have any questions on this Article call us here at Room 2 Roof at 704 549-9393, email us at sales@room2roof.com or visit us at http://www.room2roof.com for a fast reply. There is only one way things should be done and that is the Right Way!!!!! We are the best in town let us prove it to you!

our company Room 2 Roof services all of charlotte, concord, kannapolis, statesville, salisbury, china grove, huntersville, mooresville, davidson, cornelius, denver, dallas, gastonia, belmont, tega cay, fort mill, rock hill and all surrounding areas.

Its Spring Again - The Exterior of your Home is calling you

For many homeowners in North carolina spring time means more time spent outdoors doing the things we love such as cookouts, fishing, camping and sports.  While we have been yearning to enjoy these activities once again and get out of the house into the fresh air let us not forget to keep up with Exterior Home Maintenance.
Here are a few things to check for on your North carolina home courtesy of Room 2 Roof.

1.) A Roof Inspection should be the first order of business, to make sure your roof is ready for the lovely rainstorms we have here that help us sleep so well at night. A few Nail pops, loose, curled or broken shingles can definitely keep you awake, especially if your roof develops a leak. Ventilation needs to be checked as well to make sure your nc home's attic doesn't become a furnace with sweltering heat that will raise your cooling costs all summer. Attic fans should be checked to see if they're operating, ridge vents should be checked to make sure any Strong winds didn't lift or damage them over the winter and soffit vents should be checked to make sure they're not blocked with insulation. We have had several hail and wind storms over the past few years which caused catastrophic damage to many roofs in the charlotte area which is all the more reason to inspect your roof. If you do not know what to look for or are not able to inspect your roof due to health or safety concerns, Room 2 Roof offers a Free Roof Damage Inspection by one of our qualified professionals.

2.) Gutters should also be cleaned and inspected to make sure they are able to handle the additional flow of water from upcoming storms. Most folks do not realize that clogged and overflowing gutters can cause serious damage to your north carolina home that will cost you big dollars down the road such as Roof decking rot, foundation damage which in turn can cause major interior structural damage from shifting which will stop your windows and doors from shutting correctly, additional crawlspace moisture and mold which can attract termites and fascia & soffit rot, if yours are wood which by the way will also leech water into your home creating drywall damage to ceilings and walls. Room 2 Roof provides a low cost Gutter cleaning service in the charlotte nc area and can replace yours for up to 20% less than our competition. We install extra wide downspouts as standard on every job and have additional products like "leaf relief" to prevent future clogs and debris back up.

3.) Siding should be inspected on your NC home too. If you have vinyl siding make sure there are no pieces that are hanging or came loose because moisture will wreak havoc on your sheathing underneath, also check for holes as these will allow water to enter as well. Wood siding on your home needs to be inspected for any soft, moist or dry rotted areas and should be repaired immediately. Re caulking is usually suffice to seal any exposures along seams and cover nail heads if visible but most homes with failing siding are long over due for repair and Exterior painting.

4.) Exterior painting is necessary at least every 5 - 15 years depending on which methods and products were used and who performed the work. As only Painters know 95% of the job is the prep work before the final Topcoat of paint is applied. There are many products that contractors and homeowners overlook due to cost savings practices or by simply not having the knowledge of the products and methods involved in performing the job correctly. Choose a High Quality Paint or North carolina painting contractor, If you're not sure please call us for Free advice by visiting http://www.room2roof.com

5.) Decks & Fences - So many homeowners in the charlotte nc area have had decks built in the past only to neglect them over the course of a few years leaving them in disrepair. If you own a deck it is vital that you inspect it every season to make sure there are no warped or lifted boards, that all nails or screws are secure as these can really hurt a pet or small child if sticking up. It is also important to have your deck or fence re sealed every few years from the elements. A High quality product with a UV protectant is highly recommended and although water based products have come a long way Oil based is still the way to go in my opinion. This information also applies to Pergolas, Picnic tables, Benches and Gazebos.

6.) Concrete and Brick - Check you sidewalks, driveways, brick or block foundations for cracks. Water freezes in between cracks in the winter such as your driveway making the gap bigger each year. This is extremely vital for brick foundations where mortar has been broken loose compromising the strength of the foundation. These damages usually happen over an extended period of time so when you notice any serious damages it is usually something overlooked years prior. Room 2 Roof has extremely talented mason on board to assist you with these cumbersome repairs which usually require a professional.

7.) Windows & Doors - Check to make sure all windows are opening properly and that all doors are sealed and close properly. You will also want to check your screens for damage or tears as this will allow not only the fresh air in but all the bugs you can handle.

8.) Crawlspace - If you have lived in north carolina for sometime you either have had a home with a crawlspace, have one now or lived in one before. Every one dread the crawlspace which is usually damp and full of bugs but this is only due to neglect such as improper drainage and grading of the property causing excess moisture to enter this all to important space under your charlotte area home. a clean, dry crawlspace means lowered heating and cooling bills, less bugs such as black widows, termites or silverfish and NO MOLD problems under your home. If you neglect the crawlspace your health and finances may suffer because poor upkeep can cost tens of thousands in repairs down the road. If you have problems with your Crawlspace Room 2 Roof has solutions and are here to help and answer your questions.

Why Homes Need Attic Ventilation

Roofing Inspections and when to replace your Charlotte NC Roof

Here is a fantastic video from our friends at State Farm about why a Roof inspection is vital and what to look for if you should do it yourself.  Please keep in mind it can be quite dangerous getting up on the Roof yourself and you should have the proper equipment needed to safely inspect all areas of your Charlotte roof.



Should you have any questions about your Roof please contact our office at 704 549-9393 and we will be happy to assist you in any way possible.