What to ask my competition
There are 100's of things to ask but I have narrowed it down a little for you. Take a look and print it if you like.
1. Is the owner going to be on site?
Don't tell me a crew leader.......he doesn't have the same interest in your home as you do. Having the owner on site is huge in this business.......this means the company really cares about doing a good job for his customers.
2. What is the difference between hand nailing and air guns?
Well, again long ago hand nailing was the thing to do. Over the years technology has helped a man that would swing a 16oz. hammer all day to have his wrist get swollen at the end of the day. Coil nail guns are the state of the art way to roof. The gun never gets tired, the people are not as tired and can do their job better. A lot of companies will tell you hand nailing is better because there is an expense to keeping up with all the guns, compressors, etc. Some companies don't want to invest in their company and take care of their people. If hand nailing is better......why do shingle manufactures advertise these guns? why do 90% of most successful companies use them? Swinging a hammer is old school and for a company that does not want to invest in the future.
3. Is there going to be a mess?
Sure there is, we are talking about one of the most costly projects that gets done to a home. My answer is this.....I try to leave the property in better shape than it was before we started. Most of the time....it is.
4. How many days will it take?
I can make it last as long as you want. The truth is....most normal homes (ranch style, 2 story walk able) are done in 1 day. I bring the man power to get it done because of the crazy weather we have here. We take no short cuts and use the same high grade material everyone else does. A long time ago roofers took a week to do a 3000 sq ft home. They would show up late, leave early and go drink and get high. I am here to tell you......it still happens. My company gets there at daylight and we don't stop until we are done......if it is one of those roofs that takes 2 or 3 days.......then we do it all over again the next day.
5. Will there be nails all over the place?
I know the efforts my company makes to get nails up off the ground. We roll magnets, we put tarps around where we are working, we do visual inspections when we finish. No company will guarantee 100% nail clean up......if they do......get it in writing. I can guarantee this.....you will not find a nail in your driveway or on a walkway when I leave......this I know. You might find 1 in the shrubs later on or in the mulch bed.
6. Will there be a big truck in my way?
I will bring whatever it takes to get the job done. When I leave, it goes with me. I have seen dumpsters in yards for weeks at a time......poor customer. I usually bring my dump trailer because most houses will fit in it. I have 2 dump trucks if needed but only if needed.
These are some basic questions to think about. There are many things to consider, I just try to be honest.