So why do I need an expert review? Why not just ask friends and neighbors for their recommendation of a roofing contractor?

Recently I was called to check out a leak on a slate roof. This roof area in question had been recently replaced and was still leaking. As I was inspecting the roof, I noticed that a roof section near the the first had also been replaced recently. Both areas had been poorly done and it was obvious that there would be more problems and leaking in the future. When talking to the homeowner, I learned that the first section of roof had been replaced the previous fall and began to leak that winter. After the homeowner was unable to contact the original roofing contractor to repair the work, she called another roofer for help in the spring. The second roofer indicated that the roof section near the first was to blame for the leak, and was paid to replace the that section of roof. Both roof sections were out of sight of the homeowner.

Both roofing contractors were recommended by a popular home improvement referral, members only, organization.

Friends and neighbors are a good place to start when looking for a roofing contractor. But, if they are not experts and well versed in the roofing installation, they will not know the details that will make for a truly dependable roof versus the warning signs of a poorly done job that will result in years of trouble and expense.