roofing — Page 2

Curb Appeal

July 13, 2016 by Kyle Lyons Leave a Comment

We all know the basics of curb appeal, your flowers, trees trimmed etc. What about home improvements? What are a few options you have that can be friendly to your budget and also benefit you and your home in the long run.

If you are planning on staying in your home for a lifetime, or getting ready to put it on the market, here are a few options for the look and feel of home.

curb appeal

Curb Appeal and the Benefits

First of all for those of you that do not know what i mean on curb appeal, the “Merriam-Webster” dictionary says it best.

So what are the benefits of curb appeal?

First of all, not only does the home command more value if placed on the market but can behold faster than those without good curb appeal.

Homes with curb appeal on average command thousands of dollars more than those without. Basic things even on a budget can improve your homes look. Paint, washing siding/gutters, general lawn maintenance etc. So what about big projects? what are some ideas or concerns if you do plan on selling your home?

New vinyl or cedar siding, if your old is just to worn out and oxidized.
Professional landscapers (they know how to handle their type of work best, i have no idea what flower or bush will look good with my front door)
New roof or a roof cleaning.

out of those three a roof and siding will provide two things.

a huge investment
a huge return on investment

Every potential buyer wants to know that the roof is a huge expense and they of course want to buy a house and not have to worry about it. If you haven’t looked into getting your roof replaced and you’re going to be selling your home, you may want to reconsider.

Budget Friendly Curb Appeal

So how can you make your home look better on a budget?

Paint your doors and shutters, on most homes this can be done for less than a $100
Install fancy new house numbers. (Just spend the money for the fancy ones). Under $100
Upgrade or install outdoor lighting, if you do this yourself then you can keep the cost low
Weed your flower bed and mulch, depending on the size of your flower beds this can be a cheap but painstaking process ( I recommend buying your mulch in bulk instead of bags, much more mulch for a much smaller price.)
Buy some outdoor bleach and spray the house down ( follow the manufactures directions). make the siding and gutters shine like they are brand new! Under $100

Customer Service

June 5, 2016 by Kyle Lyons Leave a Comment

What is customer service to a company and what is it to a customer? This are questions that can make or break a roofing company. So what is world class customer service, We as Lyons Roofing use the term so what can you expect with it and how can other companies give it to you as a consumer?

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A Company’s Stance on World Class Customer Service

Yes, I know it sounds cliche. So why does Lyons Roofing say it, why does any company say it? For a company to provide the best in service they must adapt to multiple customer profiles and each profile has a different tolerance level information needs and expectations of a company. For a company to give the best in customer service they need to arm their representative with the content and education to better prepare them for the varying customer profiles.

The best service fulfills the promise of a companies advertising and is unique to each company. Additionally, interactions should be extremely consistent, answer all of a customers questions to your utmost ability and make sure the customer knows and your company shows them how valuable their time is.

One other thing, as a sales rep, if you don’t know the answer don’t lie, it all comes out in the end!

A Customers Stance on World Class Customer Service

So what kind of service does a customer want, what does a customer deserve? You would think all of the above mentioned items are all that a customer expects, consistency, honesty, knowledgeable etc. but is that it? No, but what else is there you ask?

Disclaimer: these are my opinions, please correct me if I am wrong and i gladly accept feedback, if i have missed something!

A customer wants to feel valued, they want to feel like they are your one and only customer and that nobody else should come before them. I couldn’t agree more with them either (You know the “golden rule“). Yes, it is hard to keep a bunch of different people happy all at once but man is it important.

So what else does a customer want? Options (you heard me) but i will say it again and louder this time OPTIONS!! So what do I mean by that? I mean give them affordable options with your products, if the area you do your most work doesn’t have the means to go to the top of the line or even the middle with a certain shingle then prepare and show a customer something they can afford. The other main option people need to have is payment options, not everyone can afford a new roof. I mean if you look at the state of the economy, 62% of americans have less than $1,000 in their savings account. Can that buy you a new roof? Heck no! So, a customer needs options, financing, credit cards, cash whatever(I don’t think i would accept bitcoin, but i have been wrong before). Help us your customers (yes, i was a customer once) help themselves.

Moral of the Story

The moral of this story, help a customer protect their greatest investment. But also help a customer feel like they are number one, they are the only one in your eyes, be honest, on time, professional and most of all give them what they want, don’t fight over something silly, it only makes you as a company look worse.

Roofing Contractor or DIY?

May 19, 2016 by Kyle Lyons Leave a Comment

Roofing can be a risky and tedious task. No matter what your roof looks like from the ground , it’s probably steeper than you think! there’s no railing, and it can be pretty high off the ground! So when something goes wrong, whether you’ve got a leak, a few shingles blew off in the last storm, or your roof needs serious repairs, it’s hard to know if you should buckle up and do it yourself, or call a professional.

Here’s a few pros and cons to DIY vs hiring a professional contractor.

Do It Yourself:

Pros – If it’s a simple repair, like applying some sealant over a small roof leak or replacing a shingle or two, fixing it yourself might be a good alternative to hiring a contractor. If you built your own home or recently replaced your roof, you might already have leftover shingles, so you save on product costs, and you’ll also save the cost of hiring a contractor.
Cons – No matter what job you’re doing, walking around on the roof can be dangerous. Roofing contractors spend almost every day up on the roof, so they know how to safely navigate the dangers, and have a high level of experience with every sort of issue. Additionally, if you aren’t exactly sure what to do, you risk making a small problem a lot bigger. What was just a small leak before could become a major structural issue if it’s not properly addressed.

Hiring a professional roofing contractor:

Pros – Number one: you don’t have to get up on the roof. That saves a lot, just in peace of mind! Also, when you hire a professional contractor, you know the job is more than likely going to be done right, and done fast. A roofing contractor is also able to tell you if there are any other issues going on with your roof that you may need to know about. Many professionals offer a quote or consultation so you know exactly what’s happening with your roof, why it needs to be fixed, and how much it will cost. If you have a professional repair your roof, you’ll know the problem was taken care of properly and permanently. BONUS:If you’re replacing your entire roof, hiring a professional usually means there is a manufacturers warranty available if installed by a certified professional. This can save you a lot of headaches in the future.
Cons – If it’s a simple task, it might cost more to have a professional do it than to just fix it yourself. The added cost won’t always outweigh the benefits. There’s also the hassle of making sure you can get a professional out to your home when it’s convenient for you, both when they do the inspection, and later when they come back to finish the repairs. Finally, if you have a repair you need done right away, you might have to wait to get a trusted professional to do it. Depending on the time of the year, some roofers may be booked for weeks.

In the end, you have to decide if you know what you’re doing, if it’s safe, and if you’ll actually save money. If you have an issue with your roof, just give Lyons Roofing Company a call at 812-294-3595 or schedule your free no obligation quote online today.

Roof inspections

May 13, 2016 by Kyle Lyons Leave a Comment

Inspect your roof annually to assess the health of your home.

Performing regular maintenance can help extend the life of your roof, but the untrained eye cannot identify every problem.In fact, most roofing contractors recommend a comprehensive roof inspection and regular maintenance by a trained professional.

Why roof inspections matter

Experienced roofing professionals are trained to do a complete assessment of your entire roofing system from roof vent to downspout. Some roofing companies offer free inspections, especially after a major storm. However, some roofers can charge $200 or more to inspect your roof. The cost to inspect a roof depends on its size, pitch, type of material and may include some minor roof repairs. Lyons Roofing recommends getting a roof inspection at least annually.

Wind and hail storms that can damage your roof happen more frequently than people think.

For the DIY Homeowner:

Areas to check during a roof inspection

Homeowners who take proper precautions to prevent falls and know what to look for can do their own roof inspection. If you’re game to try, here’s what you should do.

Buy a fall protection equipment kit, sold at most home improvement stores. Any good roof inspection requires getting on the roof, you’ll feel more secure walking around and making repairs when you are firmly attached to the structure. A fall protection kit will include a roof anchor, safety harness, rope and lanyard. In most cases a kit will contain all of the safety gear you will need to work and move freely on a roof.

Check the integrity of the shingles, all flashing around roof pipes, chimneys and vents. Look for missing material or gaps that allow water to get below the shingles or between seams.

Examine the soundness the draining system, which includes gutters and downspouts. They should be attached properly, sloping at a right angle and free of debris.

Walk the roof area and check the condition and age of the roofing materials. Look for missing, broken or warn shingles with missing granules. Check for soft spots in the roof surface as you walk on it. Soft spots signal rotting wood beneath your shingles.

Do an interior inspection. Go to the top floor of your home and look for leaks or water stains on the ceiling. Go to the attic and look for wet spots and rotting wood under the roof’s surface.

Examine the soffit for any holes, cracks and damage that may be caused by animals or wear and tear.

Look for any signs of rotting wood on the fascia. Rotting fascia won’t provide the support your gutters need.

If you feel unsafe at any time, trust your judgment and call a local roofing contractor to complete your roof inspection.

During your roof inspection you are bound to run into something you may not understand or know for sure if it is normal wear or something to be of more concern. In this case reach out to your local roofing contractor for a further inspection.

Additionally, you can email pictures and a description of your concern to Lyons Roofing and we will be more than happy to answer any questions to the best of our ability remotely.

CALL TODAY

Louisville: (502) 689-0338
Indiana: (812) 294-3595

Curb Appeal