How to Choose the Best Roofing Contractor to Replace or Repair Your Roof

San Gabriel Valley’s heat, winds and occasional downpours have a way of degrading roofs. Photo by Don Simkovoich

Choosing a roofing contractor who’s skilled enough to install a new roof or repair it requires more than just picking someone off the internet.

Roofing is a trade and craft, especially in cities of the San Gabriel Valley where so many homes represent different eras of architecture.

Here’s what to look for in a roofing contractor.

Knowledge of structures

Roofs look simple and typically don’t receive as much attention as kitchens or bathrooms when it comes to repairs or remodels. If you’re looking to add or enlarge a room in your home then you think about weight-bearing walls and beams.

Building science is part of roofing, too. Some roofing companies will only do more contemporary, suburban-style homes.

Thomas Garvey, owner of Garvey Roofing, has also roofed historic homes in places like Heritage Square off the 110 freeway, Pasadena, Monrovia, San Gabriel, and on homes throughout the region.

Certain roofing materials fit better on some homes than on others. Some types of tile may weigh less than asphalt shingles and solar roofs may not be the most economical or environmentally friendly solution for your home.

Knowledge of roofing systems and materials

A roof isn’t just about putting down decking, underlayment and nailing down either shingles or placing tile. The system must work together to repel heat in the summer and keep in the warmth in the winter.

A roofing system must be properly ventilated to circulate air in the hottest months and keep a home dry during the rains.

Garvey Roofing chooses the best roofing materials that are right to achieve the goal. This includes using underlayment like Therma Sheet to keep the most harmful UV rays from penetrating into the attic.

Knowledge of design

Thomas Garvey once roofed a home for a client who wanted her house to have a roof that looked like her childhood home back east. He used various materials including slate to create a design that achieved what she wanted.

Knowledge of the trade and his customers

Garvey Roofing uses proper techniques for nailing shingles, tile, and creating ventilation. The company also has four roofing licenses including roofing, fireproofing, and general contracting.

See more on the company’s About page.

Thomas Garvey also listens to customers and doesn’t just ask about their budget but wants to know:

Do they plan to move soon or keep living in their home?

Are there designs or special features they like or have seen on other homes?

What concerns do they have?

His plan is to give a customer a “roof for all seasons” so it performs as well in winter as it does in the hottest summer days.

“I also say that when it rains, my phone doesn’t ring,” says Thomas, noting that he doesn’t take shortcuts.