New roofing!

Due to hail damage from the severe storms in May 2011, I had new shingles installed and some underlying damage repaired on February 23.  This was no surprise, as four houses near me also had new roofing recently for the same reason.  The shingles I really wanted were red and had a very unique shape (CertainTeed Carriage House in Georgian Brick), indicative of what might have been on a 1930's home.  Unfortunately, I couldn't afford them at  $254/square.  My out-of-pocket expense would've been several thousand dollars over what my homeowner's insurance covered.  There was nothing that resembled a laminate shingle (often called an "architectural shingle") in the 1930's, but I had to go with what I could afford, and chose Owens Corning Oakridge in Chateau Green.  It's much more durable than a three-tab shingle and has a great warranty.  While installing the gutter guards a few months back, I could see there were green shingles years ago so that was the deciding factor with the color.

Rodriquez Roofing, owed by Alvaro Rodriguez, was the contractor.  He had roofed a neighbor's house and I was impressed with his work.  He's been a contractor for twenty years, and a member of the Better Business Bureau since 2005.  The BBB website shows he's had only one complaint filed, and the status is "resolved."  There are simply some people that cannot ever be happy so this complaint had no impact on my decision to hire Rodriguez.  His crew was on my roof at 7:57am and the job was totally finished, cleaned up, etc. at 5:45pm.  It was like watching a nine-man machine.  This included all materials, total tear off , creating adequate ventilation, installing new flashing around all three chimneys, clean-up and haul off.  I have to say the flashing job is extremely professional and even looks pretty.  It's surprising with the severe weather within the past year that there haven't been any leaks coming through to the ceiling because the old roofing had no tar paper underneath, and there were only two layers of three-tab shingles.  The pipe boots were in bad shape, too.

Out of four bids, Rodriguez Roofing came in with the lowest price but also offered the best products and most thorough service.  I cannot say enough about how happy I am with the job Alvaro's crew did.  He is truly the consummate professional, as are his employees.  They're amazing to watch, but also polite, funny, and personable.  With the impending surgery on my right wrist, I've contacted Alvaro to have someone give me an estimate on repairing the rest of the plaster cracks.  It will be several months before I'll be able to do any more drywall work.  I pushed the two-year-old injury too much and the surgeon says I'm on the verge of permanent damage to my thumb, index and middle finger.  Those of you who know me realize the important of keeping the middle finger in good working order at all times.  :)  I never know when I might need it.

This is what I really wanted.

This is what I got.  Red wasn't available in this style.

The "before" picture, after tear-off was in progress.  You can see it was time for replacement even without the hail damage.  All the algae build-up was so prolific that I couldn't kill it.  I have a tree trimmer coming out to give me an estimate on cutting back the tree overhanging the chimney and the one around back that's over the carport.  This will help eliminate any more such build-up, although the new shingles have a lengthy algae resistance warranty.

After!

Before!

After!

Brian was very unnerved at all the commotion on the roof, until I took him outside and showed him what was going on.  Afterwards, he couldn't have cared less and felt a nap was in order.