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As the largest exterior structure, the roof provides the single most important protective shield for any residential or commercial property; any defect in the roofing system that is not immediately addressed, therefore, can lead to significant problems later on. However, a roof is only as good as its individual components and, more importantly, the quality of its installation – a factor largely that depends on the skill of one’s chosen roofing contractor. In this regard, an Angie’s List article lists several tips for finding the right roofing contractor:

Make sure that your contractor has worker’s compensation and liability insurance. Ask to see the certificates and actually call the insurance carrier to confirm that they are valid.

This keeps all bids on a level playing field, knowing that part of the cost of the roof and the service being provided to you is protected with the security of coverage.

In affluent San Francisco Bay Area communities like Palo Alto and Sunnyvale, most discriminating property owners typically settle for no less than highly reliable maintenance and reroofing services to protect their homes and real estate investments from the elements. In this regard, it is certainly advisable to pick a Palo Alto roofer with a firmly established reputation in the area – such as Shelton Roofing, for instance – rather than settle for a roofer who charges incredibly low rates yet ultimately can’t guarantee good service. As the article points out:

Those that do work on the side or are just working out of a pick-up truck can always do the work cheaper. But in the long run, you get what you pay for. Customers that are sold on price as their sole criteria ultimately end up spending more money to fix problems, and many of these problems would have been covered under a workmanship guarantee by a reputable established roofing company.

Additionally, the article advises consumers to steer clear of so-called storm chasers who pressure homeowners into settling for subpar repairs. It is, therefore, crucial to identify reliable roofers in Sunnyvale who invest in the proper equipment, address customers’ concerns in a timely manner, and are certified to install a wide range of high-quality roofing materials. Such a roofer should be well positioned to provide property owners every assurance of high quality workmanship as well as referrals from extremely satisfied customers.

(From 6 tips for choosing a roofing contractor, Angieslist.com, on September 12, 2013)