Roofing is a serious business. The integrity of your home is dependent on a sound roof, and any damage repair or replacements must be done by a competent contractor. First, you must be sure the contractor is familiar with the latest South African National Building Regulations. In plain words, the roof must resist deformation, cracking, or other damage that can compromise its function. Its design and construction must allow it to withstand wind, all weather conditions, and other forces.
SANS Part K dictates that a roof, supported by the walls of a building, must be built according to the rules in SANS 10400. Updates to SANS 10400 Part L Roofs includes sections on roofing tiles, preservative-treated timber, laminated timber, sawn eucalyptus timber, structural timberwork, and thatched roof construction. Basic requirements are in place for roof trusses, which rest on wall plates that span the walls of a house, and for connections, bracing, pole construction, fire resistance, and waterproofing.
Finding a Trustworthy Roofing Contractor
Besides asking them if they know about local and national regulations, a contractor can be found in many ways if you are looking to do home renovations. Referrals are a great way to find a contractor from people in your community who have worked with these contractors in the past. In addition to being familiar with the applicable regulations, they have established relationships with local suppliers and construction crews. Plus, you have proof that they’ve done good work in the past, which raises expectations they can do the same this time.
Top contractors are often designated by manufacturers. Appearing as badges of honor, these manufacturer designations mean the contractor has passed minimum requirements for factory certification. Do some research here, because some manufacturers have stricter requirements than others in the industry.
Also, check to see the contractor has completed a recognized training or safety program. They should possess a license and have a copy of it. An unlicensed contractor should not do roofing work, as your home renovations represent a major investment and you want to be sure the work is done properly. Hidden trouble may not be realized for years, until a major leak or compromise in structural integrity occurs.
The contractor should be willing to inform you about all the options and what they intend to do. Discuss with them the materials that will be used and how each of these can increase not only the quality of your roof, but the resale value of the property. Lastly, search Snupit to locate the most competent local professionals. Our database enables you to post requests, browse quotes, and find contractors whether you live in Cape Town or Johannesburg, Richards Bay, Centurion, Brackenfell, Secunda, Soweto, East London, or any other local community where the professional roofer operates. You can be sure they are familiar with local and national standards and are reputed for providing the best quality service to customers in need of home renovations and roofing improvements.