When roofers are informed that their workmanship has issues, they have reacted in a variety of ways — from polite and agreeable, to profane and confrontational, to everything in between.
It is the contractor's obligation, responsibility, and requirement by law to install roof coverings to product manufacturers' and/or the Oregon Residential Specialty Code specifications. Just because a permit usually is not required doesn't give contractors the right to cut corners and perform shoddy workmanship. Do it right. Gee! What a concept!
Contractors are not used to scrutiny and they don't like it. They are too used to a blank check and a permanent get out of jail free card. It's amazing how willing roofers and their supporters are to justify, condone, and be satisfied with poor installation. Here are a few comments that I've heard from roofers, along with my translation:
- "I've been in business xxxx years and have never had a complaint." Translation: I've never been caught.
- "You can't put every nail in properly." Translation: We are in too much of a hurry.
- "You're picking my roof apart." Translation: Quality is not our highest priority.
- "It's not possible to do a perfect job." Translation: Our installers were never properly trained.
- "You forensic guys are all the same. You're just here for a paycheck." Translation: I wish you were dead.
- "Once the shingles are sealed by the sun it'll be OK." Translation: I sure hope we don't get a windstorm.
Don't Let Cowboys Ride YOUR Roof!
The term "Cowboy" can be used to describe reckless "professionals" whom you should avoid hiring because they put their interests above yours and are marginally skilled at best. Cowboy roofers give a negative image to the roofing trade and they give a bad name to the large number of quality-oriented contractors out there. (No offense to the hard-working cowboys who ride horses on the open range as they tend herds of cattle.)
Our Oregon Roof Consulting Roofing Hall of Shame page shows examples of what happens when cowboy roofers ride YOUR roof. Joe can help you steer clear of cowboy roofers and the headaches that they cause.