Tag Archive for: Architectural Shingle Roof Installation

Firm Warnings From an Experienced Massachusetts Roofing Contractor

When choosing a roofing company in Massachusetts it is unbelievably important to do your due diligence. Roofing companies are notorious for shortcuts and various “cost saving” corners they will cut to save money on their bottom line.

Roofers Personal Warranties Are Useless

I would recommend always hiring a roofing contractor that has a warranty backed by the manufacturer.  I firmly believe that companies who do not have warranties backed by the manufacturer provide a useless warranty.  If I had a dollar for every roofing company that has gone out of business in Massachusetts in the last ten years, I would be a rich man. If a company goes out of business, what good is their warranty?  If a manufacturer is willing to stand behind the installer, you can be sure that they are laying down your roof properly.

Shortcut Artists are CriminalsSAMSUNG DIGITAL CAMERA

I feel that a roofing company taking short cuts on your roof is no better than a criminal.  This is because they are promising you one thing, knowing full well that you will not typically see what is under the shingles and will cut corners to save a buck.

Roof Layovers Are a Bad Idea

One common shortcut that happens every day in Massachusetts is a layover of the existing roof.  Layovers do not solve any problems and will usually last a quarter of the time as correctly installed roof.

Skipping the Underlayment

Another common shortcut with roofers in Massachusetts is not placing underlayment on the roof decking.  To go along with this theme is roofers that will skimp out on underlayment or use cheaper alternatives for underlay.  The underlayment is an essential component of a proper roof system.  The proper underlay adds the extra protection your roof needs between the shingles and roof decking.

Roof Ventilation is Key

Ventilation is also a common shortcut for roofers in Massachusetts.  Some roofers will under ventilate, use incorrect ventilation, or use cheaper ventilating products.  When ventilation is not installed correctly, it can cause your house to generate too much heat and moisture.  This can cause the wood on your roof to buckle and form mold.  Improper ventilation is also a major cause of ice dams on a roof.

Roofing Contractor Recommendations

I recommend asking potential roofers lots of questions; ask for referrals, proof of insurance, and request a full scope of their intended work.  A roof is a very large investment and I would hate to see any customer get3 ripped off by a company taking short cuts.

Andy Egdahl is a Roofing Specialist for United Home Experts.

Comments

This is not good advice! In most cases the manufacturer’s warranty does not conver the leading causes of roof leaks – which happens to be contractor errors.
Rather than basing the decision on a warranty, I would suggest consumers do their part to ensure they are hiring a professional who will do the job correctly to begin with. If the roofer does his job correctly you won’t need any warranty.

Posted @ Tuesday, February 21, 2012 1:32 PM by John
John, thanks for your comment. Let me clarify the first paragraph. There is a big difference between a roofing shingle warranty (which as you noted is virtually useless) and a roofing system warranty. There ARE in fact roofing system warranties that are backed by the manufacturer which include coverage for labor and workmanship (as you noted that’s most important). These warranties are not available to just anyone but are reserved for a select group of contractors who have gone through the necessary training and are enrolled in the necessary programs. Currently we can offer a full coverage roofing warranty that includes shingles, underlayments, flashing, labor, and workmanship.

Posted @ Tuesday, February 21, 2012 2:02 PM by Peter Martino
I do understand what you are saying but I would encourage all homeowners to thoughly read the warranty so they know what they are getting (and not getting). In some cases the manufacturer’s workmanship warranty will not cover costly items like disposal and metal work. Other warranties claim to only the cost of repairing or replaceing the defective shingle – and not any of the much needed system components. If the roofer does his job correctly, there is no need for this warranty – which does represent a cost to the homeowner. It’s my recommendation that rather than selling your customers on the fact that the manufacturer will back you up in the event that you screw up, why don’t you sell them on how you eliminate the risk of something going wrong to begin with.

Posted @ Thursday, February 23, 2012 10:12 AM by John
John, these are all excellent points and we agree 100%. The only problem is that every roofer that a homeowner meets with is telling them how great they are, and you know as well as I–that many roofers are absolute hacks and most go out of business in less than 2 years. Our approach is explain the intricacies of the installation AND back up our promises with a top notch warranty from a top-notch manufacturer.

Posted @ Thursday, February 23, 2012 11:09 AM by Peter Martino
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Signs of A Bad Roofer : Warning From an Expert Massachusetts Roofer

By: Doug Partridge: Doug Partridge has worked in the home improvement industry for  over thirty years in the areas of project design, estimation, project management, sales and sales management.

Part 1: Signs of a Bad Roofer: Financial

  1. The lowest price.  A  sub-standard roof job can be done for ½ to 1/3 ofRoofing Contractor the price of a thorough, properly installed and warranted roofing system.  Corner-cutting is very profitable!
  2. Large deposits.  No more than 1/3 deposit.  The contractor should be willing to be financially upside-down, never the homeowner.  Contractors often disappear completely, take too much time, or demand huge surprise add-ons, if the financial leverage is in their hands, at any point in the process.
  3. Payment by cash only.  Any reputable business will be able to take payment by credit cards and should be able to offer financing through a nationally known financial institution. “Cash only” is often an indication of intent to commit tax fraud and a dying business.
  4. Payments to an individual.  Writing checks or paying cash to an individual is dangerous and an unnecessary risk.  Payments should be made to a business, not to (example: John Smith, dba. Trustworthy Roofers).
  5. Omissions.  A.)  The costs of removing and disposing of extra layers of the existing roof.  B.)  The installed costs of replacing rotted or damaged decking and structure (example; joists). C.)  The costs of any add-on work to be agreed-upon by the customer before the work is performed.
  6. Old  and/or poorly –maintained vehicles.  Any well-run business will have pride in the professional images they portray.  (example:  vehicles, clothing, paperwork and tools).

 

Stay tuned for Doug’s next post Part 2 : Signs of a bad roofer: Professionalism

Many homeowners are interested in finding out how much does a new roof cost. You may also find our free roofing guide helpful.

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