ROOFING EXPERTS

ROOF REPLACEMENT & REPAIRS

HIRE THE ROOFING PROFESSIONALS! CERTIFIED INSTALLER

We specialize with all types of roofs:

Flat Roofs, Cedar Shakes, Rubber Roofs, Chimney Repairs, Metal Roofs, Tear Offs, Replacements, Skylights, TPO Systems, EPDM Rubber, Hot Tar

Our crew has repaired and re-roofed for Embassies, Churches, Retirement Centers, Apartments and homes, Row houses, Condos, Medical centers and Strip malls plus so much more. We stand behind our work with a 12-30 year manufacturer warranty!

We also have a great crew for kitchen and bathroom remodeling. New floors installed, new drywall or tiles. Also, basement and attic finishing..extending your living space.  Need a new deck or deck railings?
Call Raymond Johnson to schedule a free estimate at (202) 494-3138

free roofing estimate

CHOOSING THE RIGHT ROOFING CONTRACTOR

Certainteed suggest that you evaluate your roofer as carefully as you would a doctor or a lawyer. It is certain that you will want a roofing contractor who employs capable applicators to install the shingles. It is also clear that you will need to look closely at the proposal offered, the products selected, and the price/value relationship of the entire package. But what criteria can you use to decide if the contractor is a true professional who will stand behind his work? While there is not a single, clear-cut answer, there are a number of indicators that you can look when going through the evaluation process.


INTERVIEW THE CONTRACTOR

You cannot choose a professional roofer by looking at an estimate and comparing prices. Allow yourself an hour, more or less, to sit down with each contractor. You may be speaking with a salesperson or even the owner. Both of you need time to ask questions and explore the possibilities. You will be surprised at how many options you have.
Good contractors take pride in their work, and also the salesperson representing the company. The salesperson should show pride and enthusiasm in discussing other jobs. The salesperson should be knowledgeable about other jobs (which shows his amount of involvement in the actual work)


QUESTIONS TO ASK

1. WHAT IS THE FULL NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE ROOFING COMPANY?

Getting the complete address of the roofing company can be an important factor in determining a company’s time in business. If a post office box is given, as for a full street address as well.
Try to hire a roofing contractor that has an office nearby. The likelihood of quicker service is greater if the roofing company is based near your home.


2. DOES THE ROOFING COMPANY CARRY INSURANCE?

A roofing contractor should carry comprehensive liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance to protect you in the event of a roofing accident. This can be verified by asking to see the contractor’s certificates of insurance (worker’s compensation and general liability). If the contractor can’t show them, he’s probably not insured.
Roofing contractors may also carry other kinds of insurance including health, life, and auto insurance. Bland assurances of insurance coverage may refer to these. Don’t be confused. Ask for proof of general liability and workers’ compensation coverage.


3. IS THE ROOFING COMPANY A LICENSED CONTRACTOR?

When you pose this question, you are, in effect, asking if the roofing contractor is licensed by your state and/or city.
Not all states require roofing contractors to be licensed. If your state does license contractors, then they might have to pass a written examination in their specialty. A number of cities also require professional licensing. Check with your local licensing authority for details.
A roofing contractor may also answer this question by telling you he has a business license. However, a business license is a tax requirement only and is not directly relevant to the roofing contractor’s competence.

4. HOW LONG HAS THE ROOFING COMPANY BEEN IN BUSINESS?

Needless to say, longer is usually better than shorter. Under three years may signal an unstable business.
On the other hand, everybody has to start sometime. References will be helpful to double-check any business, and are especially important when dealing with a new business. A newer business may have a great future, but it is only reasonable to be more careful when considering its referrals. The failure rate of small businesses in the first three years is very high.


5. WILL THE ROOFING COMPANY PROVIDE REFERRALS OR REFERENCES FROM PREVIOUS JOBS?

Ask for 10 (yes, 10) job-site locations in your area that you can visit.
Ask for photos of completed work, if available. Keep in mind, however, that many roofers will not have photos.
Request a list of names and phone numbers of recent customers. However, realize that the roofer can legitimately refuse to give a long list–many customers may not want their names released.

6. WHAT IS THE ROOFING COMPANY'S WORKMANSHIP WARRANTY?

Typically, contractor workmanship warranties are for one year or more. Longer warranties are not more valuable than shorter warranties. The length of the warranty is less important than the intent and ability of the roofer to stand behind his warranty.
The roofer will warrant his workmanship. The manufacturer, on the other hand, warranties the roofing material against defects in manufacturing. Thus, two warranties will cover the shingle system. Understand them both. Ask for a copy of the manufacturer’s warranty pertaining to the specific shingle products you are considering.
Usually, most problems of either workmanship or material show up very quickly. Therefore, the near-term warranty given by the roofing contractor or manufacturer is more important than the warranty coverage during the later years of the warranty. Even if problems of workmanship arise after the workmanship warranty has lapsed, a reliable roofing contractor usually will want to stand behind his work!


HOMEOWNERS

Getting a Roofing Contractor to WANT your job

Many homeowners have been mystified by the seeming lack of interest and response from contractors when they receive a call for a job. Here’s how you can get a roofer to respond to your call:

  • When you call a roofer, tell him you are shopping around, but are only interviewing three contractors, not 10.
  • Call contractors in the general vicinity. Roofers prefer to work close to home, just like everyone else.
  • Tell the contractor you call that you are not looking for the lowest bid, but rather the best value. And ask for a Good-Better-Best proposal.
  • If you have seen work by a contractor in your neighborhood and you liked it, or if someone referred a contractor to you, call him. And when you do call, mention how you received the contractor’s name.
  • By following these tips you can help a roofer to determine that you are a good prospect and worth his effort.

For your free estimate or bid inquiry please fill out our contact form you will be contacted within 48 hours.
Thank you, Raymond Johnson