Licensed Roofing Contractor

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Shingles and flat roofs (torched-down rubber rolls) I have done more residential roofs than anything else. In the states of Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, California, and Texas. It is most always shingles or flat though.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Make sure you can see some references, See if the contractor is honest, and above all that he has pictures or a portfolio to show you....at the least a website. A man with no proof, is a man who may have none. "The proof is in the pudding" as grandpa used to say.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Roofing is strenuous, dangerous work, but quite rewarding. It is a trade that takes everything you have. There are no trade secrets except this, you can only fall once...so don't fall. I have a system of safety precautions, as jurisdicted by prudence and OSHA, that has made me an accident free businessman all my life.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Are you licensed and have you been sued.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. What size the roof is (square footage) and if there is any rotted plywood /sheathing that needs to be replaced. What pitch is the roof (slope), and what is it covering below? Is the foundation solid, and what is the address and best time to estimate the roof.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. We go the extra mile, and are perfectionists. We take care and have pride in quality..integrity it is called. A person should take pride in their work, or not do it at all.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. That the roofs will long outlast me, and that future generations can see something left long ago. I enjoy the fact that I can do something of importance, beauty, and permanence.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. How long have you been roofing? Over 21 years. And I have been in the building trades since age 13. Old school roofers have always taken their sons to learn the trade as apprentice. I did this as a boy, a young man, and now as an adult.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. I suppose that would be doing the roof at a nudist colony in California...and no I did not roof naked. There is always a new adventure in roofing, because I meet new people every day on their turf..in their homes, businesses, or properties.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. That I do the work myself...not send slackers or untrained men. I think it is important that people get the best if they are charged for the best. I can't play golf while trusting a worker to do, or know how to do, or be willing to do, what is right. I have to assure this myself...personally.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. My grandfather was a roofer for fifty years...his before him...all the way back 8 generations. I chose it primarily because of this, but have continued in it as a man because I enjoy the outdoors, the air, the traveling, the people. It is a rewarding job, and pays decent.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. I am proud of them all. If I had to choose one, then I would say The 29 Palms Fire Department, in 29 palms, Ca. on Lear Avenue. I did this roof all by myself in 5 days with no help at all. What a grand task, but even the Chief commended me when done. He did not think one man could do such a thing in so short a time, and do it well. I showed him.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I use the technology as it is offered and as the years go by, of course things change, better materials are invented...and so forth. So, in a nutshell, CONSTANTLY! I have certifications in numerous things such as Asbestos removal, Home Improvements Certifications, Inspection, and so on.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. I have seen some pretty awesome technologies with roof coatings used by NASA on the space shuttles paint job, and am particularly fond of the Rubber roof technologies I have seen. Some "Green" technologies where gardens and such are atop buildings, are also quite inventive and practical.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. Metal roof, removed all rafters and replaced, applied corrugated steel and moldings. 1 day. Start to finish. My wife helped me, and my father in law helped me. After all it was my father in laws workshop.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. Price is determined by man hours of labor, materials, delivery fees, permits, safety equipment, set up fees, overhead (such as liability insurance), and so forth. Each job is different.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Go to school and learn engineering, drafting, and the Uniform Building Codes.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Do you like bacon cheeseburgers? ABSOLUTELY :) Especially if they come with a Dr. Pepper, and some crispy curly fries.