FAQs for Your Roofing Contractor

Everything in the scope of work must match and credentials must be equal.

30 days

On current industry/trade standards and practices

Our installation comes standard with a 10 year workmanship warranty (MD, DE & VA) and a 50 year Systems Plus Manufacturer’s warranty (with GAF roofs). Basically, any issues that derive from the workmanship, quality or hands-on actual installation labor are covered by Spicer Bros. The materials, when installed properly, are covered for a period of 50 years (40 years on commercial properties) by GAF, the manufacturer. The Golden Pledge is a warranty that only a Master Elite Roofing Contractor can offer as we have met critical and specific criteria to obtain the credential. This warranty is a 40 point factory inspection of your roofing project that will then be covered by the manufacturer and leave you protected by them with a Material and Workmanship warranty if Spicer Bros. is no longer in business. Of course, as long as we are here (we intend to be here!) we are your immediate contact for any issues that may arise and we will be sure to accommodate your concerns in a timely manner. In short: Systems Plus = We, Spicer Bros., cover the workmanship and GAF owes you the 50 year on materials. Golden Pledge = GAF covers the ENTIRE roof, labor and materials as specified in their Golden Pledge warranty.

It is 2009 IBC code to have an air “intake”, either vented soffit at the underside of the eaves (if eaves are present) or DCI Smart Vent installed on the roof deck just over the heated space (if vented eaves are not present) or just inside the outside wall of the home to allow air “intake”. It is also 2009 IBC code to have an exhaust at the roof’s peak to complete the airflow circuit of “intake” and “exhaust”. This is code and these items are necessary to pass an inspection and required for your warranty (that comes free with our “Master Elite” installation) to be valid. Beware of contractors who do not propose venting. They either are not genuine roofing contractors or are cutting items to deliver a low price to be awarded the business. Venting is imperative so moisture does not sit in your home. This is not a corner an informed home owner or reputable contractor would ever cut.

Since the Spring of 2012 all municipalities in this area have been under the 2009 IBC (International Building Code) that requires adequate roof ventilation when updating or replacing an existing roof.

Gutter guards that are the helmet type will or may need to be removed by the installer if they are under warranty. Our removal and/or re-installation could void the warranty. Please notify your Gutter Guard dealer if you have these to verify the warranty requirements. Most gutter cover types (other than the helmet type) can be covered (instead of removed) as they do not interfere with the roof and we can take care of this at no extra charge.

The practical, everyday Architectural GAF shingle that we install comes with this warranty (Systems Plus Warranty) at no extra charge and we cannot take it away from you.

At Spicer Bros, we install 3 tab shingles for the same price as Architectural. We encourage the use of Architectural as you, the consumer get a valuable “free” warranty that does not come with the use of 3 tabs for the same amount of money.

The cost of metal has increased over the past few years and the installation requires highly skilled craftsmen that are paid on their level of expertise. This is a time-consuming installation.

According to Maryland Home Improvement Law, we owe you (Maryland residents) a 10-year workmanship warranty. Most used skylights WILL fail during this 10-year time frame causing damage to the interior for which we cannot be held responsible. We highly encourage the replacement so we can be accountable for the entire installation. If you strongly insist that the current skylights be re-used, you will be asked to sign a waiver relieving Spicer Bros. Construction, Inc. of all damages caused by the failure or re-use of existing skylights.

Corrugated installations have exposed fasteners in the roof field which can cause potential leaks after the gasket on the fastener fails within a few years. For this reason, we will only install standing seam metal roofing.

No. We use aluminum and it does not rust.

The average is 130mph

Soffit is Horizontal and Fascia is vertical

Nails

No. Roofs with little to no ridge poles are ideal for attic fans. Attic fans are site-specific.

It is easiest for you to call the insurance company first and make your claim and then call us.

HVAC drain pan clogs, flashing, sidewalls, windows, etc…

Yes!

We highly recommend you do so! Your home is not used to the movement of 4-6 individuals on your roof and we expect your house to shake. If you have china upright in your china cabinet, we suggest you stack it while we work. If you have pictures or valuables of any kind on the wall that you fear will be damaged or may fall please remove them prior to the installation as this is your responsibility. Spicer Bros. Construction, Inc. cannot be held responsible for the contents of your home so please protect your assets!

We schedule our projects on a first-come, first-served basis when possible. Much of what we do is at the mercy of Mother Nature and a rainy day could move up an indoor project or push back an outdoor project. If there is a strong chance of precipitation, our schedulers will move projects around to ensure the safety of our employees and the security of your home. Because many factors go into the schedule; location, deliveries, firm-scheduled inspections, etc., rain may push your project back more than one day. We make every effort to move jobs to the next day when possible.

Roofing is messy and there may be damage that cannot be prevented. We guarantee that damage will not occur due to negligence, however. We have the best workers in the business and we have invested a lot of money in industry-leading equipment to protect your property. We cover your decks and HVAC units with plywood.

We pay close attention to the weather and will not start or remove any portions of your roof if precipitation percentages exceed 25%. If it starts to rain or an unexpected storm moves in we have large tarps to cover the structure to eliminate damage.

We take great care to be careful not to drop anything into your home. Homeowners must remove valuables and furniture from directly beneath the skylight and cover your floor with a blanket or plastic. Spicer Bros. will not be liable for damages if these precautions were not taken.

Insurance companies will not give the value of a new roof unless it is, in fact, new. They pro-rate the age of the roof out of the estimate and this combined with a deductible most likely means, you will need to come out of pocket. Spicer Bros. gives today’s value of a new roof and the difference between that and what the insurance companies allow is the customer responsibility.

YES! If we are putting on siding, gutters, or roofing, please flag your irrigation heads before we get there to make sure we don’t run over them!

Yes, our equipment is not too heavy that it can’t drive over your septic field however, it is your responsibility to tell us if you have septic and to let us know where your field is. PLEASE ALSO FLAG YOUR SEPTIC TANK LOCATION so we do not drive over your tank!

We will only remove the portion or portions of your roof that we can have covered with new materials on the same day.

It is very possible. It is your responsibility to remove the screens from your windows so that a stray shingle does not scratch it.

The process of cutting the ridge venting will create dust in your attic. We highly recommend you protect your belongings with a tarp, plastic sheeting, old blankets or whatever you wish. If you need assistance with this process, we are happy to help! Please let us know PRIOR to coming to the job so that we can be prepared to assist. The protection charges are minimal. Please note; our employees are not permitted to handle your belongings.

We have great financing options through Wells Fargo!

The Equipter has changed roofing completely. It eliminates a great majority of the mess. Decks, shrubs, septic areas and other obstructions may hinder its complete use and there may be some mess but, we use it as effectively as your property allows. We have purchased this equipment because we are committed to protecting your home and landscape.

Although the Equipter has specially designed turf tires suitable for a golf course, the yard can still experience some wear from its use. The typical wear has been matted down grass that bounces back in just a short period of time. If any recent precipitation or use of the irrigation leaves the yard excessively wet, our Supervisor or Project Manager may opt to not use the Equipter on your job. The job can either be re-scheduled keeping in mind that we may have to re-schedule your job around commitments and obligations to other customers currently on the schedule.

It is part of our process to use our equipment to capture all debris, including nails. When the job is complete, the job supervisor will “magnet sweep” your property to collect any stray nails from the thousands that are ripped from an average roof. We make every effort to get every single nail but, understandably, we cannot guarantee we will get 100% of them.

Spicer Bros. utilizes our own dump truck so that we can remove the debris on a daily basis when feasible. If the job has multiple layers that may require multiple trips to the landfill, we may opt to utilize the services of a local trash receptacle provider. The container will be placed on plywood scraps if we use one.

Yes, all of our installations are under the direct supervision of a Supervisor designated by our Project Manager. The Project Manager often makes random visits to the job site as well.

Absolutely! We will apply a layer of sheathing on the deck to avoid damage to the decking.

Yes! We will protect your outdoor units with plywood.

We can only be responsible for the number of layers listed on the proposal. It is very likely to find some areas that have either been repaired or replaced at some time and these layers are undiscoverable by the estimator if they are not at the roof’s edge. They may only be found when the roof is removed. We bill for the removal of the extra layer(s) by the square foot as these findings require additional labor and incur additional landfill fees.

We use fasteners specific to the process and these fasteners should not come in contact with or penetrate any pipe, wires or air conditioner lines that have been installed by others, so long as those installations have been routed in accordance with trend standards. If these issues happen, it is most likely due to improper installation of others. We can assist in the repair of these issues and pass on the charges or simply refer a trade professional to you to work with directly. We do want to know of any concerns in this area.

Depending on the size of the roof; 4-6

If it is not in the typed proposal it is not covered. If you think the salesperson said something that has not made it to the typed proposal, please address this prior to signing the proposal. This will avoid any issues once the job is contracted and these items are easier dealt with upfront. In the acceptance section of the proposal, it states: “There are no oral representations related to this agreement not included herein.” It is our intention to give you exactly what you are paying for and we encourage you to review the proposal for any and all details prior to signing. If it is something that you wish to add, we can revise it and resend it.

Yes! We encourage a walk-around with the supervisor after completion.

EPDM, Deckrite, on Residential and Light Commercial

We have a seamless guttering machine and custom make your gutters on-site.

Yes!