Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for roofing companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For JK Pro Roofing, Inc., keeping clients happy comes down to two main factors: clear communication and quality installations. “Our owners, James Kang and Oliver Aguirre, have more than 40 years of combined experience, so they know what it takes to ensure a job well-done,” says Officer Sarah Wang. “They give specific, honest answers to our clients’ questions and explain every step of their work, and that’s why we have so many return customers.”

JK Pro Roofing has been installing, repairing and maintaining roofs for residential and commercial clients in Marin, San Mateo, San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara Counties since 2012. The family-owned and operated company works on all types of roofing systems (including shingle and torch down), and it also has the training and equipment to handle reroofing projects, install skylights and light wells, and more.

Unlike less experienced roofing contractors that use cheap materials and cut corners on installations in an effort to reduce their operating costs, JK Pro Roofing offers its clients a better value by only using top-quality brands and industry-best installation methods. “We stand behind the products that we use and the work that we do,” affirms Ms. Wang. “Other companies may bid lower than us, but it’s always because they use inferior materials that we would never recommend. You really get what you pay for when it comes to roofing, so we make sure everything we do is built to last.”

To further differentiate itself from its competition, JK Pro Roofing offers a complete visual explanation of the “before, during and after” phases of its clients’ projects. “We understand that most of our clients don’t know much about roofing, so we take detailed photos of the final products and show them video footage of how we installed their roofs,” explains Ms. Wang. “That way, they can see that the work has been done correctly and to their total satisfaction, which puts them at ease.”

When working with a roofing contractor, demand high-quality products and installation methods that can’t be bought from a big-box store.

“Why is a new roof so expensive?” Roofing contractors hear that question all the time. The best contractors can explain why their bids might come in higher than other companies, but sometimes homeowners will still try to save money by hiring a cheaper contractor without considering long-term value.

Sarah Wang, officer at JK Pro Roofing, Inc. in Daly City, says this can be an expensive mistake that ends up causing a lot of problems. “When roofing companies have low bids, it’s usually because they’re using low-quality materials that anyone can buy at home improvement stores. A quality roofing contractor would never recommend these types of materials, especially if they want their work to last.”

In fact, while materials from big-box stores can lure in contractors because of the cheaper bulk pricing, they’re often thinner, they have a shorter life expectancy, there are limited color and sizing options, and they’re covered by less-protective warranties or no warranties at all. Also, many manufacturers have specific installation processes that contractors need to follow in order to ensure the product protects the home and the warranty remains valid. With products from chain hardware stores, installers rarely have the tools and expertise to get the installation techniques right. So, while it can be cheaper and easier for your contractor to get roofing products from a big-box store, it drastically reduces your options and the overall value of the job, which means your roof will likely need to be replaced much sooner than anticipated.

Ms. Wang says hiring a roofing contractor based on low price alone isn’t the smart way to go. “You really get what you pay for in this industry. If the job is cheap, it’s because the materials will wear out faster and cost you more when you inevitably have to replace them.”

Experts recommend carefully reviewing bids to determine which companies provide the best quality materials for the value (bids should include brand, line and other product details), asking your contractor to confirm the quality of the materials and making sure every product comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. It’s also smart to make sure the team is qualified to install the materials and follows the manufacturers’ directions so the warranties stay intact.

Q: Do I need a permit for my roofing project?

A: Yes. Any big construction project like a roof installation requires a building permit from your city or county, but we’ll help you with that process so you don’t have to worry about it.

Q: What are the differences between shingles and flat roof materials?

A: Flat roof material is also called torch down, and it’s for roofs that have a slope or pitch of less than 3 degrees. Shingles are usually installed on pitched roofs (anything above 4 degrees in slope).

Q: Why do roofs need plywood or sheathing?

A: Sheathing is the prime layer that needs to be installed before any roofing material goes on top. There are certain codes and standards that cities require, and a lot of sheathing isn’t up to code and existing sheathing can be damaged by dry rot or water. If that’s the case, we’ll need to install new sheathing before we can install any new roofing material.

Q: What is gravel stop flashing?

A: Gravel stop flashing is a type of flashing that’s applied to roof edges, especially on flat areas like roof overhangs over doors and windows. It’s a metal flashing with a bent edge that makes it stand up higher than the edge of the roof, and it stops gravel and water from falling off of the roof and onto people below.

Q: My roof is very high with no access point. Can you still help me?

A: Yes. We have a ladder that’s tall enough to reach a three-and-a-half-story building, and we have all the necessary gear to keep our crew members safe when they’re up that high.

Q: Will you be honest with me about whether my roof needs to be repaired or replaced?

A: Absolutely. Once we determine the condition of your roof, we’ll talk to you about your options. We think of everything from our clients’ point of view, so our ultimate goal is to save you time and money.

Q: Can I get a TPO roof on my home?

A: TPO is mostly used for the roofs of large warehouses, so we don’t recommend using it on a residential roof. It’s basically just nailed down, so if there’s a leak, you won’t know where it’s coming from because the roof isn’t made to be sealed. In a big warehouse with a flat roof, you can tell where leaks are coming from because they drip straight down, but with a residential roof, we’ll have to go through many layers to find the problem.