Waukesha Roofing Contractor Review, Part 1

I've seen a recent surge in work for both retro and new construction roof replacement and/or installation and I thought it beneficial that a review of roofing contractors in the Waukesha metro area is warranted and needed.  
To date I have been unable to find any meaningful information in the Waukesha metro area when it comes down to what to look for or expect from a local roofing contractor.


First I will start my review by noting my qualifications to author an article on roofing contractors and their credibility. 
I have been in the home improvement and construction trades for approximately 20 years, and I currently work for a reputable roofing contractor in Waukesha, Wisconsin. I am a certified GAF/Elk installer, and I perform all roof installations with the priority being workmanship and quality.  It is my policy that all customers deserve the best I have to offer.  On to the criteria.

CHOOSING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR

When choosing a roofing contractor there are several essential things to look for to ensure that you are both protected for the work, any liability that may arise during the process of the roof removal and installation, as well as the character and credibility of any given roofing contractor you may be considering:

• Liability Insurance

Be certain that the contractor has a liability insurance policy of a minimum of 1 million dollars.  Anything less put you at risk of liability from any accident that may happen.

• Workman's Compensation

Be certain that the contractor has workman's compensation coverage for all of their employees.  Again, this will protect you from any liability due to any accident that may happen.

• Business Affiliations

Business affiliations and memberships are important links to the community and serve to show reliability and trustworthiness of a roofing contractor.  Generally, if a contractor is a member of several local and/or national associations they are likely to be trusted and accountable for their services.  Some of the more popular affiliations might include:

1. Metropolitan Builders Association
2. National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)
3. National Roofing Contractors Association 
4. Midwest Roofing Contractors Association
5. Wisconsin Roofing Contractors Association 
6. Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin 
7. Angie's List

 

Don't be afraid to ask the roofing contractor if they are a member of any affiliations and if so, which one's they are members of.  Further, you should ask if they have any negative reports filed with the Better Business Bureau.  The Better Business Bureau maintains a database of complaints filed against every business and you can determine whether the particular contractor your interested in has any complaints against them by searching the "Check Out a Business or Charity".

Roof Warranty

Having a warranty to cover the work performed on your roof is second to none, and any credible roofing contractor will offer a warranty.  However, not all warranties offer the best protection for the consumer, and there are some things you should know about the different kinds of warranties that are offered.  Moreover, what many people do not know is that the contractor must fulfill certain elements mandated by the manufacturer in order for the manufacturer to honor the warranty.  As such, if the contractor fails to install the roof in accordance to the manufacturer's specifications, the manufacturer warranty is void and you could be left with little or no recourse whatsoever should there be manufacturer defects in the material.  That is why it is so important to be certain that the contractor offers meaningful warranty coverage for their workmanship. Aside from the manufacturer's product warranty, generally there are two variations of warranties that roofing contractors offer: Prorated and Non-Prorated.     

• Prorated Warranty 

A pro-rated warranty is normally for a longer period of time but it does not cover the full cost of either repair or replacement. Instead the pro-rated warranty just covers a portion of the repair costs and does not replace at all. It covers a smaller percentage as the product gets older.   

• Non-Prorated Warranty

The non pro-rated warranty, on the other hand, is considered to be the most valuable form of a warranty. Although it is for a smaller duration it is still considered more valuable. Non Pro-rated warranty means that the manufacturer and/or seller will replace or repair the item at no cost to the buyer in case of some problem with the product. Clearly the best option to have is non-prorated warranty coverage for your new roof.  With the roof being the most expensive upgrade investment a homeowner can make, having anything but a full coverage [non-prorated] warranty would be unpractical and foolish.

Roof Installation and Workmanship

There are 2 primary essentials to the workmanship and longevity of any roof, new or old: a.) The shingles are fastened properly and sufficiently; and  b.) The metal flashings are sound and properly installed.  I will address these essentials separately to adequately address each one.

• Fasteners

Fastening shingles properly and sufficiently has everything to do with how long your roof is going to last, as well as the validity of the manufacturer warranty.  Needless to say, if the shingles are not fastened at the minimum requirements of the manufacturer, the warranty is void and the shingles are not going to perform as required.
One of the most common application errors that I frequently come across are both the lack of fasteners, and fasteners being placed too high on the shingle.  With the exception of 3-tab shingles, there should be a minimum of Five (5) fasteners per shingle, and the fasteners should be in the laminated nailing seam as shown in the illustration below.

  
I have seen as little as Four fasteners per shingle, and the fasteners were Two inches above the nailing seam.  Believe it or not a majority of Waukesha area roofing contractors only use 4-5 nails per shingle?


Be certain that your roofing contractor utilizes a minimum of Five, preferably Six, nails per shingle.

• Metal Flashings

There are numerous metal flashing on your house.  There's the gutter apron, D-edge, soil stack, roof-to-wall, and chimney flashings, just to name a few.
Probably the most essential metal flashing which is most often the source for leaks is the chimney flashing.  Be certain that your chimney flashing is sound, and if replaced that the roofing contractor utilizes painted metal -- NOT aluminum.  Although aluminum is not subject to rust, it cannot withstand the expansion and contraction, as well as the movement of the chimney on your home because it is too weak.
Make sure all of the metal flashings are sound or replaced as part of the roofing project.


* Please move on to part 2 of this Waukesha Roofing Contractor Review for the conclusion of my review.