Contractors, Remodelers & Homeowners

Click the link below for a list of building code officials in your area.

Indiana Building Code Officials

A GOOD contractor will fix defects like these!

Watch the AttiCat video in the article to see why the perfect time to add insulation is when you are replacing your rooofing and siding.

Nesting the GAF English-Cut Timberline from Baltimore over a three-tab roof

Protect your new roof from snow and ice dams

Be sure to exhaust your bathroom fans to the outside!

Your home has been damaged by hail or high winds and your insurance company has agreed to pay for repairs. Here's what to do next...

You'll need to choose a contractor.

Select a contractor who understands Indiana weather. We have hot summers and cold winters, with extreme temperature swings resulting in ice dams, expansion and contraction of materials and severe condensation issues. Be certain that the contractor you choose understands how to inspect the flashings, ice dam protection and attic ventilation systems of your home. New technologies exist and the time to upgrade is while you are replacing the existing roofing and siding.

Check with your local building code officials to find contractors who are licensed to do work in your community. The staff will also explain the local code requirements that they have determined to be important for your area. A complete list of local agencies with phone numbers can be found on our website

Don't be in a hurry to have the work done! If the contractor you choose is booked up for several months, that probably means they're worth waiting for. Find a contractor who will take the time to do the job right. If the work isn't completed until October...so what? Your roofing and siding will be four months younger and you'll end up with a quality job completed to your specifications.

You'll need to select materials.

Many contractors will suggest that you visit one of our showrooms to select your roofing, siding or windows. We have eight branches located throughout Indiana, and they all have informative showrooms, open to the public, with free samples and helpful, experienced sales associates. Locations and hours can be found at ReeseWholesale.com.

Consider insulation and window upgrades
while your home is repaired.

The best time to add insulation to your attic is while the roofing or siding is being replaced. Watch the Reese video "OC AttiCat Insulation" below for an overview of the issues.

If you're thinking of new windows, you'll never have a better opportunity to upgrade than when the siding has been removed.

And don't forget, part of the stimulus package is a 30% tax credit for the cost of materials (up to $5,000) used for approved energy upgrades...all insulation and many styles of windows. Consult with your contractor, add insulation or windows, and get up to a $1,500 tax credit next April 15.

You'll immediately use less energy and save on future heating and cooling bills!!!

Watch this video to see why the perfect time to add
insulation is when you are replacing your roofing or siding.

Please replace your old plastic skylight when you replace your old roof!

It makes no sense to replace bad shingles and decking and then leave a stained, brittle, plastic skylight on your roof.

A new Velux skylight will look better, reduce heat loss, and the tempered glass will stay clear and is impact resistant.

And a properly flashed Velux skylight will remain leak-proof for the life of your new roof.

You'll immediately use less energy and save on future heating and cooling bills!!!

You might be able to save money and upgrade to a designer shingle by roofing over your existing roof.

This is not for everyone. Consult with your contractor, your insurance agent and the local code officials. If you have bad decking, too many layers of roofing, or are concerned about tearing off multiple layers of roofing 20 to 30 years from now, this option is not for you.

But if you have sound decking and smooth, straight, three-tab shingles, you may be able to save the cost of a tear-off and upgrade to a designer shingle for less money than tearing off the old roof and replacing it with the same quality shingle.

NOTE: If you select this option, your shingle choices will be limited to upgrade shingles with the same five inch exposure as your three-tab shingles. The "English Cut" (non-metric) GAF Timberline shingle from Baltimore and the CertainTeed Independence shingle would be excellent choices.

These are tough economic times. We're all trying to conserve cash and make wise spending decisions. You may feel that you can't afford to spend the money to add insulation, repair your ventilation system or replace your windows. Only you can make that decision.

Many of you will receive an insurance settlement that will pay for most or all of your basic repairs. If you spend a few thousand extra dollars to remedy your ventilation, insulate your attic and/or replace your inefficient windows, you may receive tax credits of up to $1,500 and you will almost certainly begin saving on your energy bills immediately. Think of the insurance settlement as a significant discount on a major makeover of your roofing, siding, windows and insulation.

The economy will eventually recover, and the extra money you spend now won't seem so important. But if you wait until later to add insulation or replace your windows, the process will be much less efficient and more expensive.

Dealing with catastrophic damage to your home is stressful and time consuming. No one enjoys it.

But if you take your time and make thoughtful choices, you'll enjoy the final results for many years to come!

View the pdf version of this document here:
"After the HAIL STORM...a Guide for Homeowners" by John Reese