Looking for recommendations - roofers

[dreamshark]

Off and on over the years I have sworn to get my roof replaced and have received recommendations for reliable roofers. Still haven't gotten the roof replaced, and have lost the list of recommendations. *sigh* There's still time to get it done this year! So I'm asking again for recommendations, along with any tips you might have to offer about the whole process of getting bids on roofs, how much (if any) to pay up front, what to ask the contractors, etc.

Comments

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I wasn't all that impressed with Sela because they 1) accidently shot a nail through the freon line for our air con (not their fault but expensive to fix) and 2) I had leaf-guards on all the gutters when we started but I didn't have when we finished, and 3) they decided they needed to cut a branch off one of our trees and didn't ask us about it first and did a lousy job of tree trimming.

K.

[kalmn.livejournal.com]

iver h carlson did mine this spring. i would hire them again, although i'd make sure i wasn't out of town when they did the work this time!

[magentamn.livejournal.com]

I second the non-recommendation of Sela - they left nails all over the place. Also, if they had been on the ball, they would have told me I needed more insulation under the roof.

Estimates should not cost a cent for something like roofing.

[mizzlaurajean.livejournal.com]

I was also unhappy with Sela. They made a huge mess! Nails everywhere, other stuff all over the yard. And when they decided the roof actually had to be redecked which it sadly turned out it did, they didn't give me the helpfull hint to cover everything up there so there was fine black asphalt dirt and pieces of it all over everything in our attic.

It may be worth it to get a membership to Angie's List. They will send you a monthly booklet with articles and coupons of people that do all various jobs on your home and you can check there ratings by other customers to see what they thought.

Their one roofer listed in my June issue Roofing Specialists 651-238-5767, won a super service award in 2003.

I'll chceck my more recent issue when I get a chance and let you know if anyone else is in there.

Sela

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

Sela did some work for us nearly 20 years ago when we first moved in to Dream Park (replaced garage doors and porch roof). I had exactly the same complaint, even back then. They did the work just fine, but didn't clean ANYTHING up. Left pieces of broken wood and nails all over the place. I thought it was my fault because I hadn't explicitly asked for cleanup in the contract I signed.

From the comments here, it sounds more like a problem with that company in particular.

[jbru.livejournal.com]

Unlike others, I had nothing but a pleasant experience with Sela. They did the work quickly, cleaned up and (unlike some smaller roofers our neighbors have used) didn't canvas the neighborhood looking for other business. The estimate was free, they clearly stated what they would do and the total was due on completion.

Things I asked: Would they replace any rotting wood under the shingles? (Yes, for a pre-set hourly rate.) Would they also do my soffit and fascia? (Yes, under a separate contract.) Would they do my gutters? (Yes, again a separate deal.) Would they protect my plantings? (They would put down tarps and such, but couldn't guarantee no damage to the plants. Things got a little smooshed, but no real harm done.)

Washek

[lsanderson.livejournal.com]

I used Washek Construction Company. They were the only ones that actually listened to what I asked. They did a fine job as far as I can tell.

(763) 478-4544

Re: Washek

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

Yours was one of the ones I was waiting for! I remember having this discussion with you before, and you had been so emphatic about what you liked and didn't like in the roofers you talked to.

Also, the biggest problem with the old roof was ice dams, and I seem to recall that was one of your issues as well. Thanks for responding.

Re: Washek

[lsanderson.livejournal.com]

I added a layer of insulation on top of the roof. I'd already insulated the house up to about 1989 - 90 technology, and most of the roofers insisted that I just needed more underlayment... I've not had ice dams since, of course, we ain't had much snow neither.

[sraun]

We used Greyhawk Builders for both our roof and the glassblock windows in our basement. We were very happy with them!

[pameladean]

We used Ken's Roofing for the Minnehaha house, and while that is some time ago now, the people to whom we have recommended Ken's Roofing have all been happy with it.

I can't remember who we used for this house -- it was the year of the huge thunderstorms and all the roofers were booked up for 18 months in advance except the really huge ones. It's the same one Juan and Elise used. The roof is fine, but they were rather careless with the garden and the gutters have leaked since then. I guess I'd recommend them if the ones you really want are booked up. I can look them up in the files. (This would take much longer than typing this comment, but I'll be glad to do it.)

P.