Erie Construction Co., Erie Construction Mid West
Tagged: older homes
Invest in your Roof and your Pocketbook will Thank You

If the idea of replacing your traditional asphalt roof every 15 years doesn’t sit well with you, you’re not alone! Many homeowners are sick and tired of asphalt and are investing in a metal roof. After all,  it’s energy efficient, durable and will outlast any asphalt roof on the market!  

Metal roofing is a solid, attractive roofing solution available in multiple colors, textures, and profiles and can save your household up to  40% of its annual energy costs.  Upgrading to a metal roof, means less money out of your wallet, less dependence on energy resources and less general air pollution in your neighborhood and across the nation.  Metal roofing is great for the environment because it can be installed directly onto an existing asphalt roof, reducing landfill waste as well as decades of environmentally-sound, maintenance-free strength and beauty. 

It’s not difficult to understand why metal is fast becoming popular for not only commercial but residential use as well.  It’s durable, fire retardant and almost maintenance-free. Another benefit is that metal reflects heat and blocks its transfer into the attic. Research shows that metal absorbed 34 percent less heat than asphalt shingles. What homeowner wouldn’t want to  drastically save on their energy bills? This is a great feature in both the scorching hot summer months as well as the cold winter months. 

Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry. We  would love to come out and give you a free estimate. Industry insiders predict that in twenty years all newer homes will have a metal roof. Let us come out and show you why metal is now the “go to” material when it comes to residential roofing. 

Make An Investment and Never Worry about your Roof Again!
| March 5, 2013 | 10:00 AM | Metal Roof, Remodeling | No comments

Let’s face it, roofs are pretty boring, and most of the time they just sit and do nothing. You probably don’t notice them. Unless of course you have a problem. A leak. Traditional asphalt roofs have a shelf life of typically 10-15 years. After that, you will either need to replace it or have some extensive repair work done.  Most experts will advise that you just replace the whole thing after so many years have gone by because repairs will really only act like a band aid and temporarily fix the problem.

If the idea of having to replace your roof after just 10-15 years makes you cringe, you should consider a metal roof. While asphalt roofs quickly diminish in value as they age, metal roofs provide the following lasting benefits:

  • Proven performance expectation of 50+ years
  • Beautiful styles to match any home or neighborhood
  • Interlocking panels for maximum wind resistance
  • Fire resistance
  • Energy efficiency by keeping homes cooler
  • Low weight to help preserve structural integrity and life

Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry. We would love to spend an hour with you and show you why many are ditching asphalt and investing in a metal roof. The toughest, most durable material in roofing today.

Choosing *Wise* Home Investments will Make you Money
| February 25, 2013 | 10:00 AM | Advantages of a Metal Roof, Remodeling | No comments

According to a survey conducted by RE/MAX the majority of homeowners would rather remodel than relocate. Most homeowners say their primary reason for renovating is their genuine love for their home, but the desire to enhance future resale value runs a close second. Many homeowners are smart and understand that it is a buyers market out there. That means, great news if you need a house but not so great news if you have one to sell. So, many are opting to “stay put” and make a few home improvement investments.

Let’s talk about a few smart ones that will definitely  increase your resale value and ultimately, help sell your home, one day! First up, kitchens and bathrooms are big! If you have problems in these important rooms, fix them! They are definitely up there when it comes to buyer turn offs. New energy efficient vinyl siding and new windows will also go extremely far with buyers. Plus, you will recoup a great deal of your investment back.

Another area that can really turn buyers off and kill a sale is a bad roof. Whether you are buying or selling a home, a good roof can help you and a bad roof can hurt you.  A great kitchen is important but basics such as the foundation and roof need to also be in tip top shape. If you have loose shingles or other problems you need to make the investment and fix your roof. Keep in mind that while a traditional asphalt roof will last you an average of 10-15 years, a metal roof is probably the last roof you’ll ever need! More and more homeowners are going this route because they like the fact that they won’t have to worry about their roof no matter how crazy the weather is. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and can show you why metal roofing is becoming the new “go to” roof for homeowners and business owners!

Make Smart Home Improvements

When done wisely with experienced contractors, home remodeling can add increased value to a home. So, before you start knocking walls down, make sure you do a little research and make sure you are making a smart home investment. Although, in our current real estate market, it is difficult to please every potential buyer, it is possible to please the majority.

A good rule of thumb to follow is that curb appeal, de-cluttering, and fresh paint are a must. Local realtors say that nothing turns off potential buyers more than the “big three.” Problematic and outdated kitchens, bathrooms, and aging roofs.

Another area that needs attention is the master bedroom.  Remodeling a master suite can add on average $120,000 to the price of a home.  A kitchen — $70,000, a bathroom — $32,000, and a basement — $46,000.

Now, let’s talk about your roof. In this market, potential buyers want to move right in, not have to think about getting their roof replaced.  Who wants to move in and have a leaky roof? No one. Realtors say if you do get an offer prepare for it to be significantly lower than your asking price. The reality is that most buyers will just move on to another home (so many on the market) that are move in ready.

If you are in the market for a new roof doing a little research will definitely pay off. For starters, a traditional asphalt roof has a shelf life of about 10-15 years. A metal roof will out last that by three times! Plus, metal withstands any weather condition with ease. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and would love to show you why many are confidently making the switch to metal.

If the House Needs a New Roof: Ask for One!
| January 21, 2013 | 8:26 AM | Advantages of a Metal Roof, Metal Roof | No comments

When buying a new home real estate experts say you shouldn’t let minor aesthetic differences sway you from making an offer.  If appliances or the decorative theme are not up to your expectations, keep in mind that most of these things can be easily modified over time. What is important when viewing the interior of the home is to check for overall structural soundness and try to focus on potential rather than current appearance. A good strategy is to hire a licensed home inspector before you close the deal. The inspector will provide a detailed analysis and cost breakdown on actual required repairs.

Buyers should not get discouraged when their potential dream home requires some old-fashioned manual labor to get it up to their standards. Realtors refer to this as “sweat equity.” Sweat equity is a time investment by the potential buyer to clean, redo and repair the potential property once the purchase is complete. Right now we are in a poor real-estate market which is littered with short sales and foreclosures – many of which are neglected, vacant properties. Also, many purchases are older properties with excellent construction characteristics but needing some “elbow grease.”

So don’t let aesthetics stop you from making an offer on what could be your dream home. However, don’t feel pressured to sign on the dotted line if the inspection shows larger problems. For example,  if the inspection shows that the roof needs to be replaced. If this is the case, ask the homeowner  to put a new roof on or give you a substantial credit towards a new roof. In this market, sellers want to make their deals work because they don’t know when another offer is going to come through. A metal roof is another option that many homeowners are turning to. It lasts three times as long as a traditional roof and is extremely durable during extreme weather conditions. Erie Constructionof Evansville, Indiana is a leader in the industry and can show you some of the reasons metal makes sense for your home and your pocketbook.

 Another great tip to getting the best possible deal is to ask for a 1-2% reduction in commission.  Real estate agents make $0 if your deal doesn’t go through, so they have as much incentive to keep your deal alive as you do! Good luck.