Cedar Roof Cleaning, Repair & Restoration
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.) about contractors for your cedar roof restoration.
My 29 years in this business has taught me several questions and concerns a buyer should have for a potential contractor before hiring them to work on their cedar roof. I have listed some of these questions, along with some useful insight below. I hope you find this information helpful.
Q- "I got 3 bids from 3 different contractors for my cedar roof restoration. All 3 bids vary greatly in the amount of repair work to be preformed as well as the over all price. I am so confused. Who do I believe?"
This is a common story. I certainly understand why home owners get frustrated when getting estimates for their cedar roof restoration. The method of cleaning, the amount of repair work to be preformed and the cost of the wood preservative all contribute to the final cost estimate. These factors vary greatly between contractors. While it can be tempting to go with the low bid, consider this: If the process you are paying for doesn’t effectively lengthen the service life of your roof you are simply throwing your money away. I would also advise you to think twice before hiring any contractor who has shown up unsolicited at your door looking for work. Door to door sales are almost NEVER done by established local contractors. Usually companies selling door to door are new, unestablished business’s with few or no past customers. Many times these companies are from out of our state. These type of business’s are here today gone tomorrow. I have witnessed this first hand. My advice is to choose a local established contractor, who has been in business longer then 10 years. Choose a contractor who is applying a name brand wood preservative and offers some type of warranty and is willing to stand behind their work. Get references and ask to view previous jobs the contractor has done. Ask to see a roof restoration they preformed 5 years ago or even 10 years ago, as well as work that was recently completed to compare for yourself how their restoration process holds up over time. Research and educate yourself regarding the different wood stains and preservatives on the market. Ask the contractor the questions and concerns I have outlined for you here. Remember the old adage "you get what you pay for". Follow these guidelines and you will be happy with your choice of your contractor.
Q-"The contractor did not disclose or explain specifically what brand of wood preservative he would be using on my roof. Is there really a difference between preservative products?"
The quality and effectiveness of the wood preservative is a very important part of the restoration process. Many of our competitors use cheap, low quality stains and preservatives that allow them to offer low-ball bids. The problem with these inexpensive preservatives is that frequently they wash off in the rain in as little as 6 month’s time. I have witnessed this first hand on many occasions time and time again on restorations preformed by our competitors. The preservative that is used in the restoration process will greatly effect how long the roof will last. If the preservative product is ineffective, the homeowner is literally throwing his money away. Any legitimate contractor will disclose the brand of the wood preservative he intends to use on your roof. He should also be able to provide you with the manufacturer’s sale’s literature and material safety data sheet for the product he is using. Beware of any contractor who doesn’t disclose this information, or seems reluctant to do so, including the actual cost of the preservative he is bidding for your job. Old Town Cedar is proud of the fact that we have used Amteco TWP oil based preservative products for over 20 years. We suggest you visit the Amteco website. All information, including product cost/pricing is available for viewing on line.
Q- "My contractor bid my project from the ground. Should I have expected the contractor to go on my roof for an inspection?"
Without actually going up onto the roof to make an evaluation/inspection the contractor is only guessing as to the condition of your roof. My suggestion is NEVER hire any roofing contractor who isn’t interested in performing an on-roof inspection.
Q- "I was told my wood roof would “last 50 years” or even “last forever” if I just had a contractor apply his magic restoration process. Is this true?"
Unfortunately there is no magic spray that is going to make most cedar roofs last 50 years, let alone last forever. Promises of excessive or extreme roof service life are usually made by desperate sales people looking for a quick sale. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Q-"Should my roof restoration contractor have any actual roofing experience involving wood shakes?"
Most contractors offering roof cleaning or roof power washing services have absolutely no experience in cedar roof installation. Experience in cedar roofing techniques is critical for a proper restoration. Old Town Cedar’s 29 years of experience with cedar shake installation is un-matched by our competitors.
Q- "My contractor wasn’t very specific regarding the amount or number of shake repairs or replacements to be performed. Should I require him to be more specific?"
Always insist on a specific number, or at least a guide line regarding the number of shakes to be replaced. Never get yourself into an open-ended situation regarding repair work. In my opinion beware of the contract that states “up to 50 shakes will be replaced”. This type of contract is usually an indication the contractor never preformed an on-roof inspection before giving the bid. He is only guessing as to amount of repair work your roof may need.
Q- "My roof gets a lot of sun. We really don’t have any moss on our roof. Do I still need to have a preservative applied?"
Yes. The truth is, in most cases the suns ultra violet rays are harder on the wood then algae growth. This is especially true on the south slopes. Technically what happens is the suns ultra violet rays loosens the top layer of wood cells, causing the shakes surface to wear at an accelerated rate. Over time the cedar shakes simply become thinner and thinner until they become paper thin and break off and fall to the ground. Applying a preservative with good UV protection to the cedar shakes is the same as applying a sun screen lotion to our skin. Always choose a wood preservative with good UV protection such as Amteco TWP. Many of the preservative products used by our competitors offer little to no UV inhibitors. Ask your roof restoration contractor for proof the product he is applying has good UV protection.
Q-"My cedar roof is getting very old and is looking pretty rough. I believe my roof is close to 30 years old. I know I should have done more roof maintenance, but I never did. I don’t want to spend big money on a new roof, is a cedar roof cleaning and restoration a substitute for re-roofing my house?"
No. Cedar roof cleanings are NOT a substitute for re-roofing. If 90 percent of the service life is gone from the roof, no magic spray is going to rejuvenate it. You cannot turn back time. The proper time to change the oil in your car is when you still have a good running engine, and the proper time to clean and maintain your cedar roof is when you still have a solid roof. As with any kind of maintenance, the goal is to preserve the current condition of your roof and slow down further deterioration. Many times over the years I have witnessed our competitors servicing roofs that really need to be torn off and replaced. To put money into a worn out roof is fool hardy and a poor investment.
A final thought on price- The old business adage "you get what you pay for" is as true today as ever before. A wise man named John Ruskin once said …….
"It is unwise to pay too much, but it is far worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money, that’s all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the very thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot- it simply can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.