Journeyman Roofers

A roofing contractor in my area posted this wild text and it bears review. Although similar in name,

IT IS NOT ME!!!

No other Roofing Contractor in Northern California inspects more roofs, solves more roof leak problems, repairs more roofs, or issues roof certification on more homes than ROOF DOCTORS. Roof repairs on your home are professionally performed by our license-quality repairmen who must exceed our rigorous roof-repair-quality standards before they are allowed to work on your roof. ROOF DOCTORS never uses any untrained, inexperienced, or unsupervised laborers, nor any apprentice or journeyman roofers to work on the roof of your home which is the common practice among other roofing companies.

And we should be thankful that it is a common practice. As far back as I can remember, my Dad and my Uncles all spoke of journeymen card holders with the deepest respect. As I grew up, I learned that it was actually easier to become a licensed contractor than a journeyman tradesman.  At any rate, being a contractor and operations manager, whenever I was lucky enough to run across an actual journeyman roofer I hired them instantly because they are so rare and valuable.

But don’t take my word for it.

Journeyman Status Part 2 or: "I have a bridge for sale?"

 PART TWO:

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

In modern apprenticeship systems, a journeyman is a man who has a tradesman certificate that required completion of an apprenticeship. In many countries this is the highest formal rank (that of master having been eliminated) and allows them to perform all the tasks of the trade within the area where they are certified, to supervise apprentices and to become self-employed.

In the United States, employment in the building trades, such as an electrician or plumber or carpenter, usually requires that a person holds a state or local (city or county) license as a journeyman or master. The journeyman license certifies that the craftsman has met the requirements of time in the field (usually a minimum of 8000 hours) and time in an approved classroom setting (usually 700 hours). A journeyman has the responsibility of supervising workers of lesser experience and training them, in addition to having the qualifications (knowledge and skills) to work unsupervised himself. A journeyman is commonly expected to have a wide range of experience, covering most fields of his trade. For example, a non journeyman worker of some 20 or 30 years experience may have most or all of his experience in only residential, commercial or industrial applications. A journeyman however, has a broad field of experience in residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

And so for these reasons, I do not comprehend the pride the above individual seems to take in not working with any journeyman people.

The only plausible explanation would have to be that he does not know what the term means.

While we are on the topic terminology,  what precisely is a “license-quality repairman”?  If this is not a made up classification, It would be really astonishing. As a matter of fact, I will bet $500.00 right now that this person could not show credentials for 5 journeyman roofers in his employ let alone countless "license quality repairmen."

 And where do all of these people come from? This would mean that this company has gained access to an endless supply of people that could have a contractor’s license if they wanted but would rather work for someone else. An amazing accomplishment that no other roofing company anywhere has ever been  able to attain.

And in addition, please send me a copy of the "rigorous repair standards" manual, handbook or guide, by which all of your licensed quality repairmen are so strictly bound since by definition there must be one otherwise they are not standards. And how could so many rigorous standards possibly be enforced without one when after all: "No other Roofing Contractor in Northern California inspects more roofs, solves more roof leak problems, or repairs more roofs."

That sure seems like a lot to swallow from a three sentence paragraph. What do you think?

Uh Oh, the grammar police are out again! No, and not the physical address police either as was so eloquently put in a reply to me when I mentioned all of the vacant properties they are advertising as their business locations.

I am just pointing out that words have meaning and when the meaning is not in alignment with reality..... you tell me.

VISIT ROOF DOCTOR

Are Sole Proprietors Incompetent?

I recently saw this writing on a publication and could not resist a comment.

First there is this:
"The business has always been built on a foundation of honesty and integrity.
We have no need to insult our competitors"

Then proceeds to insult the majority of the contractors in the state of California with the following:

LIMITATIONS OF SOLE PROPRIOTER ROOFING COMPANIES

The limitations of some sole-proprietor Roofing Companies are: answers their own phones; does what little marketing they can; criticizes their competitors who they know nothing about; has to perform their own inspections because they don't have anyone else in their company competent enough to do them; performs their own roof repair estimates; prepares their own paper work; buys their own roofing supplies; oversees any office staff; directs their roof repair crews or roof replacement crews; completes their own repairs; hires workers with little or no experience; has to be onsite to manage every job because they can't leave their inexperienced workers unsupervised for fear they will make mistakes; deals with customer complaints and relations; follows up on leaky roofs that they had repaired; comes to rely upon the roof inspection fee, which they charge up to $100 or more for, as their primary source of income since they perform very few actual roof repairs; and, the list goes on and on.

These roofers do not have the financial resources to hire competent workers to whom they can delegate responsibility or leave unsupervised. Therefore, it isn't any wonder that when it gets just a little bit busy, that these roofing companies are: unable to answer their phones; will never return phone messages; will return a phone call days or weeks later; they don't show up when they had promised; they can't take on any more work because they are scheduled out for weeks in advance; and, when they do show up, they charge up to $100 or more for roof reports that contain expensive or unneeded repairs, or they call for an immediate roof replacement. These types of companies do such a low business volume, have such inexperienced workers, and are so understaffed that they become overwhelmed when there is even a slight increase in business demand. As a result, they become unreliable and are unable to properly assist their customers that are in need of immediate service.

Are you serious? If you are a sole proprietor you cant afford competent help?
Do you actually believe this? Better yet, do you actually think anyone else does?.
Second when did it become a negative to :

Do you own inspections

Oversee your office staff

Direct your crew

Manage your jobs

Deal with customer complaints and relations

And, if you do not do any of these things yourself...what do you do?


And while all of us lowly sole proprioterships in California may not possess the honesty or integrity or the vast corporate recources that you do, as for my company, we do manage to have our own name on the door at both of our shops and list our home address as well. We are not listing any vacant properties, other peoples offices or mail box stores as our big time corporate offices.

VISIT ROOF DOCTOR

Who To Call For Roofing Related Issues In Citrus Heights

Some Homeowners when looking for help with their roofing related issues are just rolling the dice when looking for  a roofing quote.  I recently performed and inspection and estimate for some dry rot replacement on a pretty nice home. The Homeowner told me she had a bid for $250.00 and was using that quote for comparisons.

Our cost was over $250.00  She had recently had some other dry rot work done (and not happy with) by the same people.

Now I understand money is tight, but we have to perform up to certain standards for both ethical and legal reasons and cannot use whatever materials they might happen to have available at Home Depot that day (I love Home Depot but sometimes they do not carry the appropriate materials for the job!) as I know many do.

If you want quality you can depend on call Ron Williams Roof Doctor at 800 409 4910.

Composition Shingle Roofing in 2011

Hi, It's Ron at Ron Williams Roof Doctor.

In my opinion, properly configured the composition shingle roof is by far the best value on the current roofing materials market.

Composition shingles have come a long way. Now fiberglass reinforced, and laminated with multiple layers, composition shingles are available in a multitude of colors and styles. When coupled with the right combination of attic insulation and attic ventilation the composition shingle roof cannot be beat for shedding the weather, durability, longevity and therefore value.

At Ron Williams Roof Doctor we strive to achieve the highest levels of quality and customer service. 

Our in house sheet metal shop assures you will get the finest flashing products as well.

Call 800-409-4910  

Thanks

Do You Have Loose Trim Tiles On Your Roof?

Something we run across on a fairly regular basis is loose trim or rake tiles at the gable areas on tile roofs. This not only can leave the structure exposed to weather damage but also creates a potentially dangerous condition. These tile weigh approximately 10 lbs. each, and when falling from a roof will almost certainly cause substantial damage to whatever they happen to strike when they land. This is a case where a tile roof repair is needed.


The condition is usually created by a fundamental design flaw in which the barge rafter is set approximately two inches too low, causing the nails that are supposed to secure the trim tiles to barely catch the top of the barge rafter, or miss it completely.


The result is usually missing and broken tiles, dry rot at the roof edge, and sometimes damaged property.


At Ron Williams Roof Doctor we have a permanent solution to this condition, so if you have loose trim tiles give us a call or visit http://www.roofdoctor1.com and order a roof inspection or get a free estimate for a tile roof repair.

Tile Roofing and Repairs - So Misunderstood.

By: Ron Williams / Roof Doctor

Tile Roofing Maintenance and Tile Roof Repair, Part 2

I would like to address the myth and popular contention that on a tile roof, it is the felt or underlayment that protects your home from moisture and not the actual tile. The underlayment is one or two layers of #30 asphalt saturated felt that is applied directly over the wood roof sheathing and then the roof tiles are installed over it.

I have personally repaired thousands of tile roofs and at least 90% of them were leaking because of a failed valley flashing or tile. Once water gets under the tile the roof is going to leak, the felt is actually more of a vapor barrier than a waterproofing and there are thousands of nail penetrations in the felt as well as unsealed corners etc.

I have literally hundreds of photos of tile roof leaks caused 100% by either debris build up, failing flashings or tile with debris build up the major cause.

So with debris build up being the most prevalent cause of leaks to tile roofs, let's take a look at what actually happens.

First debris accumulates in a valley, chimney, or pipe flashing. Since the part of the flashing that carries the water is under the tile, like a dam the debris diverts water over the flashing that is under the tile and onto the felt.
We done hundreds of successful tile roof repairs.

VISIT ROOF DOCTOR

Are The Tiles Loose On Your Roof?

Something we run across on a fairly regular basis is loose trim or rake tiles at the gable areas on tile roofs. This not only can leave the structure exposed to weather damage but also creates a potentially dangerous condition. These tile weigh approximately 10 lbs. each, and when falling from a roof will almost certainly cause substantial damage to whatever they happen to strike when they land.

This condition is usually created by a fundamental design flaw in which the barge rafter is set approximately two inches too low, causing the nails that are supposed to secure the trim tiles to barely catch the top of the barge rafter, or miss it completely.

The result is usually missing and broken tiles, dry rot at the roof edge, and sometimes damaged property.

At Ron Williams Roof Doctor we have a permanent solution to this condition, so if you have loose trim tiles give us a call or visit http://www.roofdoctor1.com

Roof Maintenance Program for Public Facilities

Roof maintenance and repair(s) on public facilities can be a daunting task. Not to worry, Ron Williams Roof Doctor is here for you. We offer personal and friendly service and we have the solutions for most roof maintenance issues. The combination of our in house sheet metal shop and Ron's unique roofing experience makes us the perfect solution for your roofing maintenance needs.

Its Hard To Get Good Help (I guess?)

It's Hard to Get Good Help
I recently responded to request from  a customer who was complaining about some horrendous behavior by another contractor. In this particular case there are several legal issues pending.
To describe just one of the issues that the customer is having us look at, the contractor had replaced damaged shingles on the roof. Now even most homeowners know that the proper procedure is to pull the nails from the shingle above, remove the shingle below and slip a new one in then re nail. This contractor pulled out the old shingle without pulling any nails, cut the new ones short and shoved them in then drove nails right through the face of the new shingles leaving the nails and nail holes exposed and left the customers roof like that.
According to this local self proclaimed big time corporate roofing contractor, this work was done by one of his "field workers" who is "professional, qualified and experienced."

 Coincidently, several of his customers have received such terrible roof inspections that they called us for a second opinion. 
Actually, on 2 of them his highly trained, trustworthy professional inspectors inspected the wrong properties, so all of the information was wrong. One of the customers called us, and one called him to tell him that after first missing the original and second appointments, when they did show up they inspected the wrong house. When contacted by the customer he promptly scheduled a re-inspection for the following day then failed to show up again.
When he finally did issue a second report (the customer never could figure out when he actually came either time) he incorrectly identified the number of layers of roofing for the second time. (But hey, at least he is doing LOTS of them!) Since this determination is child's play for even an apprentice level roofer, I think I might tone down the bragging about the workers.
And secondly, how can you even make a single mistake with so little information on the report?
This same contractor publicly states that it doesn't matter how long you have had a contractor's license, but that what's most important is how many jobs and inspections you can do right now. (And now I believe
that he actually thinks that!)
Then goes on to suggest that if you have had your roof inspected by someone else, you should call him for a second opinion!
Wow.
VISIT ROOF DOCTOR

Are You Looking for A Free Roof Inspection?

I realize that free "roof inspections" have their place and do serve a purpose. Say if you are selling a home and just want someone to say everything is ok to get the deal done. But really that's about it.


If you actually want to know what's happening with your roof, a free "inspection" is not what you want and I'll tell you why.

A.
At least 80% of the time, a free roof "inspection" will be performed by someone who has absolutely no credentials other than the fact that their boss is calling them an inspector. (I guess my cats are inspectors too then.)

B.
In 40 years of roofing work I have yet to see two identical roofs, but since I started checking about 6 months ago, I have seen several perfectly identical free roof "inspection reports". They are vague, uninformative and in my opinion, worth what was paid.

At Ron Williams Roof Doctor, we are a roofing and roof repair company who offers roof inspection and certification services, primarily because of Ron's problem solving background.

When we are hired to do an inspection, our focus is to provide all pertinent information regarding the roof, regardless of certification conditions. If you don't want the information, you don't want us.

When we arrive at a site, we have been paid for the inspection and don't need to sell anything beyond that.

Our inspection is not solely for the purpose of our certification evaluation, as is stated on other "reports".

Our inspection is for the purpose of giving the customer all available information pertaining to the roof and may be used for any purpose.
If you want to know all about your roof, you can't beat an inspection report done by Ron Williams Roof Doctor.

If you don't really want to know, but still need an "inspection" then the free route may be for you.