In recent years, Nashville has seen a boom in popularity not just for bachelorette parties but also for families and homeowners. Nashville was noted as one of the “fastest growing areas in the country” in 2024, and only a year prior did Murfreesboro and Franklin see an uptick in population daily! With so many relocating to Nashville, it’s easy to see why new construction neighborhoods pop up from county to county. And with new neighborhoods, comes new home builds and new roofs.
Whether you are new to the Nashville area and purchasing a new home, or moving across town into a new home, there are questions you should ask about your new construction’s roof to make sure you have all your bases covered. With the help of the experts and roofers at Austermiller Roofing, we want to provide you with some of these top questions you, as a buyer, can ask before or during the construction process of your future home.
The 5 Top Questions to Ask About Your New Construction Roof
When you hire a builder to construct your new home, typically they are the ones that will decide who your roofer is. To make sure that you, your builder, and roofer are on the same page, you will want to inquire about the following questions:
1. Is My Roofing Contractor Insured, Licensed, and Bonded?
Prior to signing a building contract with a builder, you want to make sure their roofing subcontractor is credible and legitimate. Not only will this protect you as the buyer, but also protects the builder and roofer. Check to make sure your roofer has general liability insurance (GLI), which covers any possible injury to the roofer, client, or property. In addition, a roofer with GLI means that the roofing business is also protected from financial loss if damage is done to property or client(s).
Beyond being insured, verify that your roofer is licensed for the state they are operating in as a contractor. You can verify this by asking for their credentials or by visiting Tennessee’s Department of Commerce & Insurance website, a database that can look up the active or inactive licensed roofing companies in the state.
For another level of protection, ask if your roofer is bonded, which is essentially a contract that promises to protect you from financial loss if the company fails to deliver on the agreed-upon work.
If your roofer can not provide a copy of their general liability insurance, and they are inactive on the state’s website, then take this as a red flag and connect with another company.
2. What’s Required by Building Codes for My Area?
Before you begin the process of installing your roof onto your new build, you will want to ensure that your builder is aware of the building codes for your specific county. Building codes vary from county to county, and their details can be found at the state’s website for clarity and accuracy.
If the builder you are considering has built houses in a variety of counties, it can be easy for these requirements to get confusing. However, it is the responsibility of your hired builder and roofer to know your code, and these codes can encompass factors like:
- Approved roofing materials like shingles
- Proper requirements for a roof’s slope and pitch
- Flashing installation
- Underlayment requirements
- OSHA requirements during construction
So, be sure to inquire that your roofer is up to speed on your local building codes, and feel free to check out the codes yourself at the Department of Commerce and Insurance website.
3. What Warranties are Provided With Your Company?
If you have gotten a green flag with your questions thus far, you will then want to see what warranties are provided by the builder. Most builders offer 1 -2 year warranties and may be offered through warranties through third-party manufacturers, such as GAF, or the roofing company themselves. At Austermiller, you can register your roof easily through our website! Warranties like these can help to cover things like roofing materials, installation, and more. Typically, you will have to register your roof through a third-party manufacturer, used by the roofing company, to ensure your warranty is locked in. Roof warranties are a huge asset to have as a homeowner since most of these warranties protect your roof in the event of something like defective materials, potentially saving you money and a headache!
4. What Do I Need to Inform My Home Owner Insurance Company of?
To make sure you have the right home coverage through your insurance provider, you will first want to gather as much information from your roofer as possible regarding the following:
- Type of roofing material used
- Cost of the new roof
- Roof features or details like its shape or slop
- Weather-related risk(s) for the area
Sharing these updates with your insurance company is helpful as it can impact your premium and determine if you qualify for any discounts.
Further, make sure you have the right type of insurance and coverage for a new home for as long as possible.
You may also want to look into the pros and cons of an actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost value (RCV) homeowners insurance policy, as both help to cover the cost of replacing or repairing a damaged roof. Your roofer can provide their perspective on this topic and can offer their opinion on which option sounds more valuable to you!
5. What is the Best Shingle Rating for Nashville Roof?
Finally, ask your builder what they think the best shingle rating is for your roof in light of Nashville’s weather. Installing your roof with the right material and shingles can help you save money in the long run by protecting your roof and home from severe weather that can be common to Music City.
Usually, roofers resort to class 3 or class 4 shingles as they both offer:
- Strong durability
- Hail resistance
- Extended lifespan
With a skilled, and knowledgeable roofer, they will be able to determine which shingle material and rating is right for your home.
Homeowners Association (HOA) Considerations
Most neighborhoods are included in a homeowners association also known as an HOA. These associations serve as a way to manage neighborhoods through fees, guidelines, and criteria the neighborhood homes must meet. When you are installing a new roof in a neighborhood, check in with the HOA to ensure your roof and property are meeting their considerations and requirements. For example, some HOAs require specific roofing materials, colors, and styles for the sake of uniformity and cohesiveness in the neighborhood.
What to Keep in Mind as a First-time Homeowner
As a first-time homeowner, it’s normal to feel excited and overwhelmed at the same time. There are many moving pieces that are happening, from moving in and unpacking, to finding new furniture and connecting with your homeowner’s insurance company.
A new home can present its own challenges as you get to know the house, such as a leak, a lifted or missing shingle following a storm, or cracked tile. It’s in these moments when it can come in handy to have a trusted roofer to have in your contacts. In the same way, you have your doctor’s office number saved in your phone, you should also have the number of a trusted home improvement professional saved in your phone such as Austermiller Roofing.
Have Your Roofing Questions Answered with Austermiller Roofing
You can have all of your roofing questions answered by the team at Austermiller Roofing in Nashville, Tennessee. Our team is here to meet any and all of your roofing needs by starting off with a FREE roofing estimate. Austermiller has you covered with an adept team of licensed roofers all knowledgeable and familiar with local building codes to set you and your home up for success. Call us today to schedule your free roofing consultation, we look forward to creating your dream home in Nashville, TN!