Replace Existing Wood Shingle Roof

4myroof a subsidiary of Allied Waterproofing Systems replaced existing wood shingle roof of this historical home in Santa Monica California.  The house was constructed in the early 1900’s and is only a couple blocks South of the historical Marion Davie’s beach house aka Annenberg Community Beach House.  The existing wood shingle roof was replaced with new Class B wood shingles and in accordance with Santa Monica City strict Class ‘A’ fire building codes.  We installed 16-ounce copper flashing along the valley drain areas and perimeter edge.

Green Roof Construction In Venice California

4MyRoof worked with the architect Bricault Design designing and installing Thermoplastic single ply roofing membrane on the vertical walls and upper roof deck.  The architect Bricault Design needed a waterproofing product for both applications that withstand the wear and tear of a green roof and living wall application.  The waterproofing membrane installed by 4MyRoof was used behind the architectural wood paneling, living walls, and green roofs.

Getting a Good Roofing Estimate Is all About Asking Questions

Whether you’re looking for a roofing contractor to fix a simple leak or to install a completely new roof, homeowners should understand the basics of getting a good and accurate roofing estimate.  The contractor’s ability to clearly communicate the details of his or her roofing estimate is one of the most important things to look for. If the contractor gives you a roofing estimate that seems to have been put together by a first grader, then it’ll give you some kind of clue as to the type of work that the contractor is going to do for you.

Some important things that every homeowner should ask for when they get a roofing estimate include references, insurance information, and their California State license information.  Typically, homeowners should get at least three solid references of previous work that the roofing contractor has done.  Homeowners should take the time to go and look at the property, and in some cases, talk to the owners about their experience with the roofing contractor.  Homeowners should then check with the insurance provider to make sure that the roofing contractor’s insurance is still up to date.  And finally, check with the state to make sure the contractor’s license is in good standing.  If the homeowner is still not sure about the credibility of the contractor, they should make a call to the Better Business Bureau.

Homeowners should also remember that the lowest roofing estimate is not always the best.  Just because they might be cheaper doesn’t mean they are going to provide the homeowner with the best job possible.  Homeowners should remember that sometimes roofing contractors might have a hard time indentifying unseen damage from prolonged water leaks or other hidden problems, which is why clear communication between the two of you is so important.  Homeowners should feel comfortable asking as many questions that they need to, so that they feel confident that there won’t be any surprises.

Additionally, it is important to make sure that the roofing contractor is going to start and finish the job in a timely manner.  Even though Southern California weather is sunny most of the time, nobody wants their home exposed to the elements. Other questions that homeowners might want to ask include:  How safety conscious are the people that are employed by the roofing contractor? Have there been any recent accidents that have caused injuries or property damage?  And, how clean will the roofing contractor leave the homeowner’s property when the job is complete?

After the homeowner has decided on a roofing estimate that best suits their budget and found a roofing contractor that makes them feel confident that they’re going to do good work, there are still some things that will be required before the project can begin.  The roofing contractor will want to set up a meeting to sign a contract, and in some cases, get a deposit from the homeowner.  Homeowner’s shouldn’t ever be required to give more than 10% of the total cost of the job as a deposit.  Nor should they ever have to pay for work that has not been done.  If homeowners follow some common sense advice when choosing a roofing estimate, they should feel secure in knowing that they got the best roofing contractor for the job.

What to Look For From Professional Roofing Companies

With so many roofing companies in Los Angeles and the rest of Southern California, choosing the right one for the job can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, a few easy rules to go by can make the process easier. These rules include some obvious ones and some not so obvious ones. But by following these simple guidelines, homeowners can ensure that among all the roofing companies in southern California, they are going to pick the right one for them.

The state of California requires that all contractors working in the state be licensed and maintain liability insurance. Even if the roofing problem the homeowner is experiencing is a minor one, homeowners should keep in mind that accidents happen–and an uninsured individual injured on the homeowner’s property can cause a multitude of legal problems for the homeowner.

Regardless if the homeowner is experiencing a minor leak or their roof needs a major restoration, homeowners are encouraged to find at least three different roofing companies to get estimates from. Homeowners might find that each of the roofing companies has a different idea of the scope of the problem and the amount that it will cost to repair. That is why it is so important to get at least three different estimates and ask as many questions as needed during the estimate process to ensure that the homeowner is confident that they understand what needs to be done to fix it.

When the homeowner is meeting with the various roofing companies, they should ask for proof that the roofing companies are state licensed and fully insured. They should also get at least three references from each of the roofing companies estimating the job– this will go a long way to helping the homeowner chose the right company for the job.

After the homeowner feels that they have done enough research and checked references, the homeowner should feel confident that they can choose which of the roofing companies’ estimates to go with. Homeowners should remember that just because one of the roofing companies’ estimates might be thousands of dollars lower than the others, that it doesn’t mean that when the job is done that it won’t cost the homeowner thousands more than the most costly estimate.

When the homeowner has decided which of the roofing companies to go with, they will most likely require the homeowner to sign a contract before they will begin working on fixing the problem. Upon signing the contract, the homeowner might be required to pay a deposit. Homeowners should be warned that the State of California advises homeowners to never pay more than ten percent of the total contract amount as a deposit. Furthermore, the State also advises homeowners to never pay for work that has not been finished and to never pay the balance of the contract until they are satisfied that the work has been completely done.

By following these simple rules, homeowners should feel more than confident that out of all the roofing companies in Southern California, the homeowner has picked the right one to fix their roof.

California’s Commercial Roofing Contractors Have Some Green Ideas

Most commercial buildings have flat roofs that just soak up the hot Southern California sun and transfer that heat into the interior, driving utility costs up and making it difficult to keep costs down as energy prices rise.  With the State of California, as well as the Federal Government, having mandated new energy efficient standards on commercial building construction, many commercial roofing contractors are offering more options to commercial building owners wanting to go green.

To help commercial building owners wanting to renovate their building to the new energy efficiency standards, many commercial roofing contractors have created innovative ways to not only save the environment but also create wonderful rooftop gardens that are practical as well as beautiful.  Many of these gardens offer great places for the occupants to sit and relax while soaking up the great Southern Californian scenery.  In some cases, commercial building occupants have even used these great spaces to grow fruits and vegetables, providing the potential added income option of leasing this space out as a nursery.

Other options include water collection systems that capture rain water and store it to be used on the building’s surrounding landscaping or for use with other grey water needs.  If water collection or green roof gardens are not an option, simple solar refection systems can also provide noticeable savings.  Some things that have to be considered when doing commercial green roofing projects have to do with safety issues like fire protection and wind uplift, but all these issues have been written into the California Building Codes, and most professional commercial roofing contractors have a firm grasp of what will and what won’t work for most commercial green roofing options.

These new and innovative rooftop ideas not only offer both utility and environmental savings, but also offer the commercial building owner some great opportunities to take advantage of tax credits offered by the Federal Government.  Commercial building owners that have installed or renovated their building to be more efficient might be eligible to deduct most, if not all,  of the their incurred expenses.  Certification is required to be eligible for the deduction, so only a tax professional can help commercial building owners determine exactly how much of a tax credit can be deducted, but in most cases the savings far outweigh any initial cost to the building owner.

Many commercial roofing contractors can point commercial building owners in the right direction when trying to find environmentally friendly options that qualify for substantial tax credits.  The only way commercial building owners can find out what type of system is best for a particular building is if owners set up a meeting with a contractor and discuss the options.

Commercial building owners looking for commercial roofing contractors with experience in green roofing technologies should do some research regarding what has been done in their area.  Ask around and search the Internet; many commercial roofing contractors are easy find and many are willing to provide estimates for little or no money.

Green Roofing Options Can Provide Great Tax Benefits

There used to be a time when building contractors had very limited options when choosing what type of materials to use for roofing jobs, and none of them were made using green roofing technologies.   Several decades ago most buildings in Southern California usually had one of four general kinds of roofing materials covering the house: asphalt shingles, wood shake, metal or some kind of tile.   Now that manufacturing technologies have advanced and people are becoming more environmentally conscious, there are many new types of green roofing materials that are not only made by environmentally friendly manufacturers, but also offer energy savings to the consumer.

Many commercial buildings in Los Angeles are flat and do nothing but soak up the hot Southern California sun. That heat is then transferred right into the building, causing the air conditioning unit to work overtime.  But as the nation turns to more energy efficient ways to bring down soaring utility costs, many environmentally friendly manufacturers are offering green roofing materials and options, such as water collection systems, heat refection systems, and green roofing gardens.  However, commercial buildings make up only a small portion of all the roofs in Los Angeles; residential homes make up the larger majority of buildings in the area.

Though green roofing materials and technologies can cost a homeowner more money initially, the savings in the long run can make the long term benefits out weight the price.  Homeowners looking for green roofing contractors should shop around and call a few contractors about what options they might have to help homeowners save money and the environment.

Every home is different, so in most cases homeowners would be better served by calling a green roofing contractor that specializes in roof construction and design.  In just a short time, a green roofing contractor will be able to inspect the roof’s structure and give the homeowner some cost effective ideas. In many cases, the green roofing contractor will be willing to provide free estimates to homeowners who are serious about saving money.

There are some added tax benefits for homeowners looking to renovate their homes using green roofing technologies that can help homeowners make up the cost difference between conventional roofing materials and green roofing materials.  With the Obama Administration’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the federal government is offering new tax credits for homeowners wanting to make energy efficient home improvements.  Most homeowners can take advantage of a tax credit of up to thirty percent of the total cost of green renovations on their home. In some cases, there is a cap on the amount of tax credit a homeowner can claim, so homeowners wanting to replace their existing roof using green roofing materials should talk to their tax professional regarding the maximum tax credit they can deduct.

Homeowners in Southern California wanting to save money on their taxes and utility bills, while also saving the environment, need not look far for competent and professional green roofing contractors.  With just a little bit of research and a few phone calls, homeowners can get all the answers they need.

Tips On Roofing Repair And What To Look For If You Need A Roof Contractor

Even simple roof repair can end up being a nightmare without the right equipment and experience.  Being up on a roof can be dangerous even for professionals like me– in some cases, one wrong move can spell disaster.  That’s why it’s so important sometimes to call a professional with experience handling any kind of roofing repair and who has the proper equipment necessary to prevent serious injuries.

The state of California requires that all professional contractors be licensed, bonded and insured to protect homeowners from unscrupulous individuals who might take the homeowner’s money and not do the job properly, or for that matter not do the work at all.

There are several things that homeowners should be aware of when looking for a professional to make even a simple roofing repair.  Not only is important to make sure that the contractor is licensed, homeowners should also check to make sure that their license is valid.

Homeowners should get at least three bids and talk with each contractor to determine which one they’re most comfortable with. Just because one of them has the lowest bid doesn’t mean the consumer is getting the best deal.

Unless the homeowner has seen the contractor’s work before, they should always be sure to get some references from each potential contractor bidding the roofing repair job. Furthermore, homeowners should never sign a contract until they are sure that they fully understand what the job will entail as well as how much it is going to cost.

Before the homeowner signs any contracts with the contractor they also need to make sure the contractor has all the proper insurance and that it’s up to date– this includes the contractor’s liability insurance as well as his company’s Worker’s Compensation Insurance.

Homeowners should never feel pressured to pay for work that hasn’t been done yet.  At the signing of the contract the homeowner should never be required to pay more than ten percent of the total cost of the job as a deposit.  At the end of the job the homeowner should inspect the work that has been done. If the roofing repair is done to the homeowner’s satisfaction they can then pay for the work as agreed upon in the contact.

A simple roofing repair can turn into a big mess if not done right– many small leaks can be extremely difficult to locate and stop.  In some cases water can pool up in the attic or drip behind the walls and take years to show any indication of a problem.  Homeowners need to be cautious when finding damage for the first time. As soon as there is evidence of a leak, like brown stains on the ceiling or the sound of unidentified dripping water, something needs to be done.  Damage done over a long period of time can cause serious structural damage to the whole building if left unchecked; turning what could have been a minor roofing repair into a full blown remodel.

I’ve been in this line of work living in Southern California for most of my adult life, and I can tell you one thing for certain– if you follow these simple tips, you can save yourself a lot of problems down the road.

Roof Coatings Are A Simple Way To Get Tax Credits

Energy Star compliant roof coatings are the latest trend in environmentally friendly materials used on commercial roofs.  Many commercial roofing contractors can help point building owners in the right direction when trying to find solutions to rising energy costs.

With most commercial roofs in Southern California being flat, they tend to absorb the sun’s heat.  The surface of most commercial roofs can reach temperatures in excess of 200 degrees and new environmentally friendly roof coatings can prevent all that heat from entering the interior of the building, driving up utility costs.

Los Angeles has hundreds of commercial roofers with extensive knowledge of various construction materials and green technologies; even if most people believe roofers just do simple commercial roofing repairs.  Many commercial roofers are educating owners on the benefits of applying roof coatings that are Energy Star compliant; some of these roof coatings also qualify for tax credits offered by the Federal Government for using energy efficient materials.  In some cases the tax credits offered by the Federal Government pay for a substantial portion of the total cost of applying the roof coatings.

Commercial roofers can usually apply many of the available roof coatings in a couple of days, making Energy Star compliant roof coatings the fastest and easiest way to cut utility costs.  Other benefits include improved leak protection and depending on which type of roof coatings used, added fire protection.  Roof coatings that offer fire protection can also save owners on their building insurance.

Most Southern California roof contractors have entire crews dedicated to applying roof coating, so commercial building owners should try to schedule any projects involving roof coatings several weeks in advance.  With the new tax credits offered by the Federal Government, most commercial building owners wanting to apply roof coating and take advantage of the tax credits will have to do it quickly before the tax credit expires.

Commercial building owners wanting to take advantage of the tax credit should talk to a tax professional before deducting the cost of the project.  The IRS recommends that a tax professional fill out a certificate detailing the amount of credit the owner qualifies for, as well as the details of the Energy Star compliant materials used.

In some ways roofing coatings are the easiest and least expensive way for commercial building owners to take advantage of the tax credit.  The tax credit is limited to $1.80 per square foot of the building’s total square footage.  There is also the option to take a partial tax credit of $0.60 per square foot, but only a tax professional can advise building owners of the maximum deductions they qualify for.  These tax credits will end on December 31, 2013, and might be subject to change in the mean time.

Commercial building owners in Southern California should have no problem finding a qualified roofing contractor with experience in roof coating, all they have to do is a little bit of research.

Residential Roofing Contractors Know More Than You Think And Can Help You Save Money

Many people in Southern California believe that residential roofing contractors can just help consumers with a roof repair or replacement.  However, this is not the only reason a consumer might call residential roofing contractors.  Many residential roofing contractors can do a lot more then fix and replace a home’s roof.

Consumers should be aware of all the other benefits residential roofing contractors can provide for the consumer, such as saving money.  With all of the new environmentally friendly roofing techniques and materials on the market now, contractors can not only add incredible value to a home, they can also help consumers take advantage of great tax credits.

Residential roofing contractors cannot provide the owner with tax advice, but they can show the homeowner what green roof technologies can qualify for tax credits.  Besides the benefits of tax credits, the new environmental technologies also help the homeowner on utility costs.  With the tax credits and the utility savings, the remodeling project will end up paying for itself in no time.

When looking for residential roofing contractors, consumers need to remember that there are some important steps to finding the right company for the job.  If homeowners want to take advantage of the great environmentally friendly technologies currently available they need to find residential roofing contractors familiar with all of the options out there.

It is not only important that any prospective residential roofing contractors have previous jobs that the homeowner can see, but they also need to meet all of the state requirements mandated by the state.

The State of California requires that all residential roofing contractors meet the same guidelines that all building contractors working in the state have to meet.  The requirements all residential roofing contractors have to meet include being state licensed, insured, and they must provide Worker’s Compensation Insurance for all of their employees.

When potential residential roofing contractors meet with the homeowner to go over possible roof estimates, the homeowner should make sure they get several things with the estimates.  Home owners should make sure they get their license information, insurance documentation, and at least three references of previous work done.

One thing homeowners need to double check is how much of a tax credit they will be able to take advantage of and if there are any certification requirements they need to meet.  Homeowners need to check with their tax professional before assuming that their tax credit will cover the entire project and in determining whether they will have to get any added paperwork from the residential roofing contractors.

After the homeowner has chosen which of the residential roofing contractors to use, and is sure of the amount of tax credit they will be able to take advantage of, the homeowner will be required to sign a contract with the company.

The State of California recommends that homeowners pay no more than ten percent of the total cost of the work to be done as a deposit.  The State also advises homeowners to never pay for work that has not been done.

If homeowners follow these simple tips when looking for residential roofing contractors they will be guaranteed to get the best job possible and save lots of money in the process.

A Good Commercial Roofing Company Could Help You Add Revenue

Owners of commercial buildings can generate added revenue and save some serious money with the help of a forward thinking commercial roofing company.  This might sound like a dream, but with new environmentally friendly materials, a commercial roofing company can help commercial building owners upgrade their buildings to the new environmental standards, giving owners the chance to take advantage of tax credits.

The federal government is offering huge tax credits to commercial building owners applying new energy efficiency standards.  For instance, green roofs that are lush roof top gardens can give commercial building owners long term utility savings and tax credits.  Some commercial building owners in southern California have not only saved money retrofitting existing buildings to the new standards; they have also leased the space to bio-tech companies or similar companies that need small controlled areas for growing plants.

In some cases these tax credits can be equal to the total cost of the project, but commercial building owners should talk to a tax professional about the details and requirements of the credit.  The IRS recommends that an owner get a tax professional to fill out the certificate requirements necessary to take the tax credit.

In most cases a commercial roofing company will also have to do additional commercial waterproofing which will give added protection to the rest of the building.  This commercial waterproofing can also be integrated into a water collection system that will allow the collected water to be used as a grey water system, saving money on landscaping water use.

A commercial roofing company can help to plan all of the design work necessary, or can point the commercial building owner to an architect that has designed green roofs before.  Depending on the existent project and code compliance issues, a commercial roofing company can help commercial building owners determine the best course of action during all phases of the project.

Before a building owner does any planning it is advised that they find a commercial roofing company that can give the owner an accurate estimate of the cost of green roofs. The estimate can then be taken to a tax professional to determine if the credit will pay for most, if not all, of the retrofitting necessary to complete the project.

When looking for a commercial roofing company, make sure that they have done other green roof jobs and take the time to tour them.  When touring any green roofs that the commercial roofing company has done, their representative can point out possible features and ideas that can easily be incorporated into the owner’s project.

There are plenty of resources on the Internet that can help owners get the right commercial roofing company for the job.  With just a little bit of research, building owners should have no problem finding a commercial roofing company.  Most will be willing to take the time to educate owners on all of great benefits to environmentally friendly roofs and how they can help to save money while adding revenue to the building.

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