“Insurance rates have been rising,” says Tony Diaz, owner of Century Roof and Solar in Hayward, “and many contractors are ‘going bare,’ operating with no insurance at all. California requires home improvement contractors to disclose if they have general liability insurance.
“But general liability insurance doesn’t actually cover much,” he continues. “It only covers third-party bodily injury and accidental property damage, not the work the contractor performs.” Mr. Diaz recommends customers review the contractor’s insurance policy before signing a contract and make sure they carry proper coverage.
Mr. Diaz also advises customers to be aware of manufacturers’ warranties. Most warranties only provide coverage if a roof is installed exactly to specification. The contractor should be able to walk you through the intricacies of the fine print and assure you they have the expertise to install the product properly.
When installing solar panels, Mr. Diaz advises hiring a solar installer who’s also a roofing contractor, or at least well-versed in waterproofing. Solar installation requires many roof penetrations, and if these aren’t properly sealed, property damage can result. If the solar installer isn’t a roofing contractor, Mr. Diaz recommends you hire a roofing contractor to assess the life remaining in the roof, so the work doesn’t have to be repeated in a few years.
“We’ve seen a whole cycle of improperly installed solar hot water collectors from the 1980s,” says Mr. Diaz. “Installation by people without any roofing experience has caused a lot of damage, expense and headaches for consumers. And we’re seeing this again with the new, solar-electric systems.”
A roof exists to provide protection to your home and possessions. When choosing a roofing contractor, it’s important to assess the insurance, warranties and expertise of the contractor, so the roof acts as it should and doesn’t cause damage.
