Joseph K. Lamb, Jr., the CEO and Founder of Gulf Western Roofing, grew up with contracting in his blood. His father was the president of a very large building contractor on Florida’s booming east coast, and almost from the start, Joe Lamb was groomed to one day head up his own construction operation. Continue reading “The History of Gulf Western Roofing”
Importance of Attic Ventilation
To ventilate or not to ventilate? That certainly is the question amongst researchers.
Attic ventilation is a heavily debated topic. In the last several decades, building codes have demanded increased attic insulation yet there are still skeptics who say the benefits are overrated. The lack of agreement lies mostly in the fact that climates vary immensely, making it hard to find a solution that fits all areas. Continue reading “Importance of Attic Ventilation”
Understanding Roof Warranties
Understanding Roof Warranties
Just about everything on the market comes with a warranty these days. Limited lifetime warranty, extended warranty, system warranty: what does it all mean? And do we really need a warranty for everything? What we can tell you is that having a roof warranty in place is one of the best things you can do to protect your home from a worst-case scenario. Continue reading “Understanding Roof Warranties”
Avoid Roofing Scams
Every line of business has its scammers. These scammers create horror stories that set a bad name for nearly every other company in that industry. The home improvement industry and roofing in particular are notorious for putting unsuspecting homeowners out of thousands of dollars or leaving the homeowner’s with costly damages. Understanding the signs of a roofing scammer can benefit homeowners and the roofing industry as a whole. Continue reading “Avoid Roofing Scams”
Protect Your Roof From Fire on New Year’s Eve
Much like the Fourth of July, New Years celebrations are commonly celebrated with fireworks. Although fun and pretty to look at, fireworks can be extremely dangerous and can pose hazard for your home and roof. This year, Gulf Western Roofing, a trusted local roofer, is offering the following suggestions to protect your home from damage caused by fireworks:
First and foremost, fireworks CAN set a roof on fire. Certain fireworks still burn once they hit the ground, and roofing materials made of wood are easily combustible. It is still equally possible for a roof to catch on fire even if it is not made of wood. If the roof is already damaged and there are missing shingles, the roof felt paper, which is easily combustible, becomes exposed.
When preparing for your New Year’s celebration, make sure to cut back tree branches. A tree branch that is hanging too low on your roof could quickly start a serious fire that will easily spread to the rest of your home. It is a good idea to remove these limbs anyway in order to avoid damage during a storm. Other debris, such as pine needles and leaves are also flammable, which is why it is good to get into the habit of keeping your gutters clean and free of this dry matter.
And finally, as fun and exciting as it may seem in movies, Gulf Western Roofing suggests that you not attempt to climb on your roof to watch the neighborhood fireworks. For starters, climbing onto your roof is dangerous. It is too easy to slip and fall. Not to mention, when you climb onto your roof you always run the risk of causing damage to the materials.
As always, if you have any concerns about the current state of your roof, call the professionals at Gulf Western Roofing. In addition to being licensed and insured, Gulf Western Roofing is locally owned and operated, doing business for over 17 years. We’ll always tell you the truth about your roof.
Happy New Years from our family to yours!
Top Ten Mistakes in Purchasing a New Roof
A roof that’s installed with modern materials and methods and then properly maintained will give you many years of hassle-free service. However, if you live in an older home or one that has been damaged by storm or neglect, it may be time to consider installing an entirely new roof.
But as with so many other large purchases, buying a new roof can be a costly and frustrating experience- especially if you don’t avoid making some of the missteps as so many other homeowners have. To help you avoid doing that, we’ve compiled this list of the ten most common mistakes made when purchasing a new roof.
- Shopping price only
The price of a new roof will vary depending on the size and location of your home. If you shop around for prices and find that a particular company is well below the average, there may be a reason. In short, cost alone doesn’t determine value; professionalism and quality workmanship should weigh just as heavily in any roof-buying decision.
- Buying from the company that can start the soonest
A company that is too quick to respond may not yet have enough business. There’s nothing wrong with being new to an area, but there may be other reasons the company is idle.
- Falling for any high-pressure tactics
As with any large purchase, buying under pressure is a bad idea. No matter how good the deal if you ’just sign now,’ don’t buy a roof from a company that insists you sign a contract before you’re ready. You should always demand the right to examine the contract at your leisure.
- Signing the contract just because you like the salesperson
Even though you may feel a certain comfort level with a certain salesperson, that shouldn’t drive your roof-buying decision. Remember, sales people are hired for their people skills; most of the time their job is to say to you whatever they need in order to get you to buy.
- Forgetting that a deal seemingly too good to be true probably is
While there are legitimate reasons a roofing contractor might offer steep discounts, be wary of those who are too inexpensive. If you’re offered a super bargain, make sure the contractor is using certified, code-approved, and legally obtained materials. Be sure there’s a warranty offered. Ask about hidden costs such as removal of your existing roof, etc. And be sure to ask about references.
- Purchasing based on warranty alone
The length of a roof warranty should not be the sole criterion for selecting a roofing contractor. The warranty alone does not necessarily provide assurance of satisfactory roof performance.
- Using contractors with no office staff
There’s nothing wrong with using a small mom-and-pop contractor, of course. But roofing properly is a large undertaking, so all other things being equal, a large support staff makes the process that much smoother.
- Mistaking advertising for quality
While it may be impressive that a contractor has put down money for an expensive and slick ad campaign, it’s more important that they can perform the work in a quality and professional manner.
- Hiring a friend to do the work
Unless your friend is a licensed and insured roofing contractor, this is a really bad idea. Even if your friend is known as a ‘handyman,’ has he ever installed a complete roof? Does he know which areas of the roof are prone to leaks? Does he know how to properly vent a roof? And most importantly, does he offer a warranty?
- Doing the work yourself
In spite of the fact that the big-box home improvement centers will try to convince you this is a snap, don’t believe them. On top of the issues we’ve already discussed, there are the obvious safety concerns; ask yourself whether saving a few thousand dollars is worth risking your health or your life. Professional roof contractors are trained in all aspects of installation and safety; even if cutting costs is very important to you, this is the one area in which you should absolutely never skimp.
If your home is ready for a new roof, or even if you suspect it may be, don’t fall victim to these, or any other mistakes. Instead, give one of Gulf Western Roofing’s knowledgeable representatives a call. We’ll always tell you the truth about your roof!
What’d that Roofer Say? Roofing Terminology Defined
Have you ever wondered what a roofer meant by a ‘hip’ or ‘valley’? Are you confused by the difference between a ‘rake’ and a ‘ridge’? Have you always been curious as to what a ‘gable’ is?
As with specialists in most industries, roofing contractors have developed their own lingo over the years for ease of communication. Doctors, artists, lawyers, and even diner workers use words and phrases that are unique to their line of work simply because it makes things go faster. Continue reading “What’d that Roofer Say? Roofing Terminology Defined”
5 Steps to Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor
Making the best choice for your roof maintenance begins with hiring the most qualified roofing contractor. That’s why we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to choosing the most reputable roofing contractor for the job.
Do an Internet Search
These days, the Internet makes it hard for crooks and scammers to get away with treating their customers poorly. Websites like “ripoffreport.com” allow customers to warn others about any rip-offs or scams that may have occurred to them. Also look through any social media or search engine reviews of the company and see if the contractor has a Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating. Being an A+ BBB company means that the business is operating in a trustworthy manner and will put forth the necessary effort to resolve any customer complaints.
Collect References
These days, most companies will include job photos and customer testimonials right on their website. Take the time to review this information to see if this contractor is the right fit for you. If you own a tile roof, yet all the photos on a roofing website present shingle roofs, then chances are this contractor may not specialize in your area. Don’t be afraid to ask the company to present references of their own either. It may be beneficial to call and speak to some of these references before settling on the right roofer.
Ask Around
Talk to your friends, your family, and your neighbors to find out which roofing contractors they trust most. Reading customer testimonials and reviews online can be helpful, but talking to someone that you know and trust about their own personal experience may help you in learning useful information that may not have otherwise been presented to you.
Obtain all Necessary Information
Always make sure that you are hiring a licensed and insured roofing contractor. Roofing is one of the most dangerous jobs. With that in mind, you do not want to be responsible for the medical bills if someone is injured while working on your property. You have every right to ask your roofing contractor for their license and insurance information.
Speak to an Expert
It’s true; we’ve all encountered at least one or two shady salesmen at some point in our lifetime. You know which ones we’re talking about… They hardly take the time to explain anything, they present you with false information, and they’re in all too much of a hurry to take your money and run. Make sure the company you’re dealing with takes the time to explain the process to you, goes over the contract details with you before making you sign, and stays in touch with you throughout the project. Knowing exactly what you’re getting for your money is important.
Always take caution when making big decisions for your home. Being able to trust your roofing contractor will make the process go that much smoother. Gulf Western Roofing prides itself on good customer service. We stand by the fact that we’ll always tell you the truth about your roof. If you’re in need of a Florida roof repair or re-roof, take the time to learn more about Gulf Western Roofing!
Why Should You Consult a Roofer When Moving?
If you’ve ever had to do any roofing repairs or replacements, you know just how costly they can be. When looking for a new home, it is best to include a “quality roof” on your list of must-haves. Otherwise, you should ask the sellers to either replace the current roof before closing, or ask them to drop the price beyond the cost of a new roof.
Oftentimes a roof may look worse than it actually is. It is possible that the roof just needs to be cleaned and is in need of a few quick repairs. However, keep in mind that it is possible for a seemingly simple roofing project to turn into an expensive endeavor.
Unfortunately, the cost of a roofing project is dependent upon the square footage of the roof and the materials used. Therefore, it is almost impossible to determine a general estimate on the cost of a roofing project. If at all possible, the best thing to do before committing to a price with the seller is to collect a few quotes on the roofing work that needs to be done.
First, contact the seller and make sure that it is acceptable to have a local roofer come out to do a roof inspection before you purchase the home. Once the roofer does an inspection, they should be able to help you make your decision as to whether or not you should purchase the home. As always, Gulf Western Roofing will tell you the truth about your roof. You can trust us to give you an honest inspection and work with you to get the job done correctly.
We understand that moving is hard enough, but catching costly issues before closing on a new home would be highly beneficial to you and your family in the long run.
Gulf Western Roofing Providing a Safe and Healthy Workplace
Gulf Western Roofing is committed to conducting routine training to ensure proper compliance and to uphold our mission for providing a safe and healthy work environment. We value all of our employees both on and off the job as we are committed to providing the necessary training for a healthy workplace. This is why, at Gulf Western Roofing, we are dedicated to providing OSHA compliance training. Continue reading “Gulf Western Roofing Providing a Safe and Healthy Workplace”
