Dave Lopez of Advanced Roofing Services, Inc. considers himself more than just an estimator and a business owner. “I’m a roofer first and foremost, and I talk to my customers at a level they understand and appreciate. That’s an extraordinary comfort to someone facing the possibility of a roof repair.”

Advanced Roofing Services provides re-roofing, waterproofing, roof repair and maintenance, and gutter services for homeowners, management companies, general contractors, and homeowner associations throughout the Greater Bay Area. It also installs and repairs skylights and solar tubes, and offers roofing inspections for real estate agents. All the company’s re-roofing and gutter replacement projects carry a five-year workmanship warranty. Mr. Lopez is present on every jobsite, monitoring the work throughout and approving it upon completion.

Advanced Roofing Services places a high premium on honesty and integrity. Mr. Lopez says he goes to great lengths to forestall replacing a roof by extending its life through repair. He says it’s not uncommon for him to squeeze five additional years of life from a roof when its owners had been advised that replacement was their sole option.

The company prides itself on working quickly, often completing jobs in a single day. Mr. Lopez says his workers never linger on a property beyond what the job calls for, and clients’ properties are always left absolutely clean and tidy. Similarly, the company’s shop is very well-maintained, and its trucks are washed every few days.

Advanced Roofing Services “answers questions plainly and honestly,” says Mr. Lopez. It provides all the information customers need to make informed decisions. If the company doesn’t have the answers, they research them. “We give as much information to our customers as we possibly can.”

You should take the same cautious approach for roofing projects large and small. Dave Lopez, owner of Advanced Roofing Services, Inc., warns against choosing a contractor based on price alone. Roofers are routinely called upon to fix jobs done poorly by others—usually because homeowners reflexively choose the lowest bid without considering other factors. “They’ll get roofing that was installed upside down, for example,” says Mr. Lopez. “Cheaper repairs sometimes cost a lot more in the long run.”

Mr. Lopez also notes that different roofers and estimators have different perspectives on how reroofing or repairs should be done. Therefore, two estimates for the same repair might not actually entail the same type of work. If you get multiple bids—and Mr. Lopez recommends you do—ask questions about the precise nature of the work to confirm the bids are comparable.

Mr. Lopez cautions against foam roofs, even those installed as recently as a year ago. Similar problems have arisen with composition shingles and other flat roofing products. For longevity, Mr. Lopez recommends tar and gravel roof systems.

Different roofs deteriorate at different rates. If you see any of the following signs, it’s time to consider replacement:

• Leaks in numerous places
• Continuous leaks, even with repairs
• Problems return soon after repairs
• Repairs don’t fix the problem

If you decide to undergo a replacement, there are a few things you should do before the installation process begins. Since hammering can cause vibrations inside your home, remove loose items from your walls and shelves. You should also make sure your driveway and surrounding area is clear so the workers have space to move materials directly to your roof.

Q: What kind of warranties do you offer?

A: We offer a five-year workmanship warranty.

Q: Do you do gutter cleaning? Can I get an estimate?

A: We do clean gutters, but we don’t provide an estimate. They generally take about an hour to clean.

Q: Can you do an estimate over the phone?

A: Not without seeing the roof. There are so many variables: What’s your roof pitch? How many square feet is it? Does that include the overhang? What do you want the gutter to look like?

Q: Do tile roofs last forever?

A: Not always. Tiles do crack and break; they need to be maintained, checked and sealed as needed. Once that underlayer of tile is exposed, the membrane starts deteriorating, which can cause water intrusion. If you want a tile roof to last a lifetime, you must maintain it.

Q: Do you offer maintenance?

A: Yes. Every few years, you should schedule some distant cleaning and roof system checking and sealing. If you have a lot of trees in your area, make sure your gutters and roof are clear of debris.