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No matter what your reason for reroofing â€"â€" whether it‘s to replace a roof that‘s damaged or leaking, or to enhance the home‘s look and increase its resale appeal â€" there are several basic questions to conâ€" sider in getting started: * How do I find a reputable roofer? Selecting â€" a qualified roofing contractor requires more than just a scan of the local newspaper or yelâ€" low pages. Though it‘s one of the most imporâ€" tant home investâ€" ments most of us will ever make, replacing a roof is one renovation project few homeâ€" owners are preâ€" pared to deal with. Ready to deal with reâ€"roofing? Your evaluation should be thorâ€" ough and wellâ€" considered, focusâ€" ing on the contracâ€" tor‘s reliability, reputation â€" and experience. Has he been referred by a trusted neighâ€" bor or building materials distribuâ€" tor? How long has he been in busiâ€" ness? Can he proâ€" vide references Such programs provide roofing contractors with information on from _ previous jobs? Does he carry comprehenâ€" sive liability and worker‘s compenâ€" sation insurance? ropfing materials and application processes _ not readily available elsewhere. The best of these proâ€" grams _ require annual requalificaâ€" tion, which ensures that the roofer is familiar If the roofer meets these and other basic criteâ€" ria, you then may want to ask about his membership in professional orgaâ€" nizations. or his contractor educa participation in tion _ programs sponsored by roofing manufacâ€" turers. As with any major purchase, selecting roofing shingles requires finding out what‘s available, comparâ€" ing competing brands, and weighing the costs against the feaâ€" tures and benefits with the latest technological and other advances. + How do I select the right roofing product? VIEWS FROM THE WESTRIDGE... Nestled in the Olde Oakville Harbour. A new lifestyle awaits you in the Westridge Townhouses. Set on the Historic West Bank of the Harbour. 7 custom townhouses. Square footages 3,000â€"4,400 approx. | THE ULTIMATE TOWNKHOUSE DEVELOPEMENT From $595.000 CHRISTOPHER G. INVIDIATA REAAMBK «/satzns>"" . sold at preâ€"construction pnces For prvate viewing of our plans & elevations call You‘re probaâ€" bly most familiar with the threeâ€"tab strip shingle, a standard design which is long on performance but short on aesthetâ€" ics. If appearance is a major factor in your reroof decision, you may want to consider the new generaâ€" tion of "designer" most important to you. FALL OCCUPANCY 338â€"90000 Warranty duration for asphalt shinâ€" gles usually ranges from 20 to 40 years. Generally, â€" the shingles â€" shinâ€" gles which offer characteristics such as a textured look, random overlays for depth, and unique color blends. Product warâ€" ranties also are higherâ€"grade, designer shingles come with warâ€" ranties of 30 years Equally as important as warâ€" ranty duration is the _ protection offered by the manufacturer in the first few years following shingle application. That‘s because, say contractors, this is when probâ€" So look for manufacturers‘ warranties that cover labor, as well as materials during the first three to five years following shingle application, and carefully examine the warranty proâ€" visions concerning proration, transâ€" ferability and venâ€" lems caused by defect are most likely to occur. + How do I evaluate the conâ€" tract? Once you‘ve selected a roofer and roofing prodâ€" uct, it‘s time to put your name on the dotted line. But before committing to the work, you‘ll want to make sure that the contract includes certain basics, such as tilation compliance with local ordinances, agreedâ€"upon prodâ€" uct choices, reaâ€" sonable project start and stop dates, and manuâ€" facturer‘s and conâ€" tractor‘s _ warâ€" ranties. With an investâ€" ment as important as your home, choosing to reroof requires informed, wellâ€"thoughtâ€"out decisionâ€"making.