The time worn phrase “You get what you pay for” is only partially true. Many people do not get what they pay for when they purchase a roof. They assume it's a good job. A majority of homeowners who buy a new roof will not recommend their roofer! Unfortunately the bar for roofing is set quite low around here and everywhere. According to the CCB, the roofing and concrete trades have the highest rate of complaints. Duplicitous and larcenous bandits and con artists both male & female abound.  There is no shortage of wannabes & predators - bank it. We see an incredibly large amount of egregious prevarication going on. Most roofers have not bothered to read the Oregon Residential Specialty Code, chapter 9 'Roof Assemblies' and many are probably not aware that there even IS a code. One constant we have noticed is the amazing transformation of customer service from good to not so good once the contract has been signed. Just because someone is licensed, bonded and insured does not automatically mean they are a legitimate, experienced, qualified, quality oriented professional roofer. It's just as likely they are just another hack. Obtaining a CCB license isn't that difficult. They even gave one to me! Recently a West Coast, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana/Alaska rep for a major roofing manufacturer told me, "The roofing industry has been destroyed". He was dead serious. Considering the amount of shoddy and sometimes fraudulent work, poor communication, and terrible customer service that I see on a regular basis I'd have to mostly agree. Integrity, character and credibility are in short supply. People are not willing to take responsibility for their actions. It's always someone else's fault.

ORC has inspected far too many brand new roofs that needed extensive repairs or full replacement. Frequently when roofers are informed of my findings they become defensive and accuse ORC of being too "technical, picky, fussy." No, there is a code and there are shingle manufacturers installation instructions. It would be beneficial if these folks would take the time to read them. In reality I am simply doing my job. People ask for an inspection so I give them an accurate, honest opinion. I'm not out to get anyone. I'm not vindictive. I offer people the benefit of my 42 years of experience. There are very few 'Independents' that do residential in our entire region and ORC is the only one-man operation. ORC is the only company that does what we do, the way we do it, and for the price we charge. I've checked. ORC is the only 'independent' that does residential roof certifications (See Blog article).

Many people say "I had no idea there was a service / company like yours." I base my findings on manufacturers installation specifications, industry standards, and applicable Code(s). Period. Many roofers are too used to a blank check and a perpetual get out of jail free card. They don't appreciate the scrutiny. It's amazing how many roofers and their enablers are willing to defend, condone, and justify shoddy work. If a homeowner is paying many thousands of dollars for a new roof I don't think it's asking too much to have it done correctly.

About the Roofing Industry:

Ours is an industry with a deservedly tarnished image. It is the contractor's obligation, responsibility, and requirement to install roof coverings to shingle manufacturers' and/or Oregon Residential Specialty Code specifications. All trades of course have their renegades, but according to the Oregon Construction Contractors Board ('CCB', formerly the 'Builder's Board'), roofing companies & concrete companies have the highest rates of complaints, lawsuits, conflicts, and other issues out of all construction trades.

Be wary regarding shingle manufacturer's material warranties. 'Lifetime' means as long as you are in the structure and the warranty is transferable once under certain conditions meaning as long as the paperwork is done correctly. Statistically, people move every 7 years so shingle manufacturers are only on the hook for 14 years - so - some manufacturers put out a thin lightweight shingle with minimal asphalt which in reality may last 20 years. Manufacturers can spend hundreds of million$ in annual shipping costs so the lighter the shingle the more that can be shipped. Follow the money. A '50 year warranty' looks good on paper but some '50 year' shingles will only last half that and certain manufacturers know it. I have seen paper thin shingles that have a 50 year warranty. They will not last 50 years. They bank on you moving or not transfering the paperwork properly when the structure is sold.

I have found many new roofs so poorly done that they needed repairs or full replacement. Many folks unfortunately go with the cheapest bid which occasionally works out but not very often. The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. Roofing is highly competitive and is one of the more 'cutthroat' trades. Twenty bids bring twenty prices. Plenty of quality / customer oriented roofing contractors do business in our area, and I regularly recommend them. **I receive no finders fee or kickback from anyone I recommend.** Unfortunately, many contractors simply do not make the grade, yet they do a lot of work and to look at their websites you would get the impression they were all #1. The huge amount of terrible customer reviews all over the internet is mind boggling. There are some real predators out there with bad intentions so buyer beware!

Simply put, a lot of people in the roofing business have absolutely no business being in the roofing business. Marginally skilled or poorly trained installers are all too common. Employee turnover is high at many roofing companies. The use of subcontractors being paid piece-work is frequent. Legitimate quality control is the exception rather than the rule. Corners are often and regularly cut. Fundamental mistakes are made with regularity either because the roofers / installers don't know or don't care. I see it all the time. Improper nailing is widespread and all too frequent. Inferior components are frequently used. Many times what is on the contract doesn't match up with what is on the roof. Integrity, professionalism, and product quality, unfortunately, are not always present regardless of price paid.

What About Permits?

All commercial roofing projects in Oregon as well as any building that generates income requires a permit. Residential roofing projects in many locales do not require a permit. Some cities do require a permit. In Washington the rules are different so be aware. Often, a permit is not pulled even when one is required. A contractor risks a steep financial penalty by failing to pull required permits. However, the chances are slim to none of being caught due to local government budget constraints. Local building inspectors do not go out on "patrol", so failing to obtain a permit is a common occurrence.

Doing the Job Right.

It is the contractor's requirement, responsibility, and obligation to install roof coverings to manufacturers specifications and/or the Oregon Residential Specialty Code. Having been a roofer for a long time I am fully aware that the tolerances for roofing are not the same as tolerances for building a grand piano or a Rolls Royce. I get it. Some variation or 'wiggle room' is to be expected. Problem is, they do way too much wiggling. The install is more important than the brand of shingle used. Considering the cost of a new roof we believe the property owner is not out of line to expect that the job be done correctly. Just because a permit is sometimes not required doesn't give the contractor the green light to cut corners and perform shoddy work. Do the job correctly the first time, what a concept! Even if a permit is required all the local inspector will do is look at the roof from the ground. They won't even bring a ladder with them. Some jobs I've seen were so bad that in my opinion the workmanship is fraudulent, and in some cases borders on criminal behavior. Isn't fraud a crime ? A lot of these guys just have bad habits - were never trained properly. Just slap it on. Close enough. Nobody will ever know. Race to the next job. Who cares.

We want your roofing job to be done correctly. Almost four decades of hands-on roofing experience have enabled Oregon Roof Consulting and Inspection's owner Joe Sardotz to develop a checklist for installing pitched roofs and also flat roof systems. When implemented, these checklists produce a significant upgrade in a roof's waterproofing abilities as well as its overall appearance, far exceeding the quality and integrity of most installed roofs. Joe's checklists will transform the typical mediocre roof installation into a high performer. Guaranteed. See Joe's Blog article for details.

What Else Should You Know?

Material manufacturers set forth exact guidelines for installing all roofing materials. If a roof is not installed to manufacturer's specifications, part of your material warranty could very well become void. The manufacturers warrant their shingles and blowoff provided the roofing is fastened to their specifications which are very precise. The installation is warranted by the contractor. While in the retail roofing sector of the industry I sold many new roofs to owners whose roofing job was so poorly done replacement was required. The homeowner's' install was so bad that it was cheaper (and better) to rip it off, throw it in the drop box, and start over. This will not happen to you if I am involved. I will make certain that you get what you pay for and do not become another statistic. We will present specs to the bidders to include in their proposal. I believe in owner advocacy and I will make contractor integrity, professionalism, and quality of product for the owner the top priority.

My Mission:
To assist property owners prior, during, and after the new or re-roofing process, I am an impartial third-party home / property owner advocate / watchdog with no affiliation to any contractor or distributor or materials manufacturer whatsoever. I receive no finders fee or 'kickback' from any contractor that I recommend to anyone.

My Commitment:
I am neutral, independent and impartial. My findings and reports are accurate and factual. Sometimes folks do not like what I tell them but they know my findings are sincere and honestly arrived at. I am diligent, thorough, versatile, and easygoing. I don't mince words and am direct and to the point. I look forward to working with you. Please keep in mind that I have no employees and work solely as an owner / operator, so in busy periods it may take some time before I can help but I certainly always try to be as prompt as possible and am available on weekends if need be. I'm not selling anything therefore I can afford to be honest. Objectivity isn't always profitable.

What I Do in a Nutshell:

• Explain the difference in the quality of various roofing materials and components. There is a difference. (See Before and After Photos Here).
• Make certain the contract document is adhered to, that corners are not cut, and that inferior components are not used on your project. You are paying a lot of money for a full time roof so I will make certain that you (get) a full time roofing job.
• Eliminate the nightmare of your hiring unqualified vendors. This happens many times on a daily basis.
• Help you find the right roofing contractor as well as avoid the wrong roofing contractor.
• Develop the correct scope of work, tailored to your specific needs, to present to your chosen vendor.
• Assist in monitoring the project from beginning, to end, to final inspection to ensure the job was done:
  • According to the signed contract and to material manufacturers specifications and;
  • To applicable installation guidelines, rules and requirements.

My degree of involvement is up to you. Unlike huge commercial-oriented consultants with high overhead, my services are affordable and will be nominal compared to what you will spend on your project. Paying a nominal fee that is a fraction of what you will spend for a new roof to assure a quality job is money well spent. Learn more about Oregon Roof Consulting and Inspection services and prices

Background:
Oregon Roof Consulting and Inspection owner Joe Sardotz first worked on a roof in 1973 doing grunt work for his brother's small roofing company. Joe has 43 years of legitimate verifiable roofing experience, including installation, estimating, project managing, and now independent consulting locally, and a career as an Oregon roofing contractor that spanned the better part of three decades. He has done at least 14,000 roofing estimates, for all types of roofing, with millions of dollars in sales. Learn more about Joe Sardotz

Places where we've helped folks:

Portland; Maywood Park; Gresham; Fairview; Troutdale; Corbett; Cascade Locks; Hood River; The Dalles; Odell; Parkdale; Damascas; Boring; Sandy; Rhododendron; Welches; Madras; Bend; Sunriver; Three Rivers; Sisters; Lyons, Linnton; Sauvie Island; Scappoose; Warren; St Helens; Burlington; Columbia City; Rainier; Goble; Woodburn; Silverton; Salem; Sweet Home; Lebanon; Corvallis; Philomath; Alsea; Marcola; Eugene; Springfield; Creswell; Westfir / Oakridge; Ashland; Klamath Falls; Beaverton; Hillsboro; Aloha; Forest Grove; Cornelius; Dayton; Banks; Buxton; Astoria; Lincoln City ( Roads End ); Siletz; Cloverdale; Pacific City; Depoe Bay; Seaside; Gearhart; Warrenton; Oceanside; Tillamook; Rockaway; Manzanita; Cannon Beach; Nehalem; Florence; Coos Bay; Seal Rock; Waldport; Port Orford; Wilsonville; West Linn; Tigard; Tualatin; Lake Oswego; Milwaukie; Clackamas; Oregon City; Canemah; Canby; Aurora; Gladstone; Happy Valley; Beavercreek; Mulino; Molalla; Mt Angel; Colton; Eagle Creek; Estacada; McMinnville; Sherwood; Newberg; Carlton; Lafayette; Vancouver; Brush Praire; Camas; Washougal; Stevenson; White Salmon; La Center; Battleground; Kalama; Kelso; Amboy; Longview; Cathlamet; Ocean Park; Oysterville; Seaview ( Long Beach ); Olympia; Puyallup; Federal Way; Olalla; Kent; Issaquah; Snoqualmie; Seattle; Poulsbo; North Bend; Lynnwood; Okanogan; Port Townsend; Edmonds; San Francisco; Oakland; Napa; Richmond; Alameda; Berkeley; Fremont; Pleasanton; Fresno; Sacramento; Reno; Shasta;...............to be continued........