On November 5 I set out in search of a roofer to replace my failing, asphalt roof with energy efficient metal. After working on the roof, and seeing the condition of it, I decided I wanted to strip off the old shingles and replace the wet, rotting, OSB sheeting.
When I requested bids, I was very specific about what I wanted done. I would not accept a bid for anything less than the entire job.
The Advanced Metal Roofing (referred to as "the company") salesman (Tyrone Fagin) promised at least the following:
1) the company would strip the old shingles and replace wet, rotting OSB
2) the company would use felt paper (tar paper) underlayment
3) the company would not use subcontractors to do the work
4) the company would make any needed repairs and provide a warranty on their work
5) the company promised the work could be completed in 2 weeks
All of those things were false. The final price was based on a competitive bid that actually exceeded Advanced Metal Roofing's offering in some areas. The competitor promised all of the above, except the underlayment was to be SolarGuard (tm) insulation (much better), rather than felt paper, and the competitor would put screws every 18 inches, where Advanced Metal Roofing only put in one screw every 3 feet.
In the end, I got my new roof (4 weeks later). The work was done by subcontractors, they did not remove the old shingles. They did not make repairs. They did not use any underlayment. So, in effect, they did not match the competitive bid. I got a new bid to do the work, the way Advanced Metal Roofing did it from the competitor who actually did not use subcontractors and actually carried workman's compensation insurance on their roofers. I wanted to find out what the work would have cost if it was done by someone else, and they came in $1200 under what I paid Advanced Metal Roofing. I would not have hired Advanced Metal Roofing to do the job they did. They gave me an estimate based on my requirements, then they gave me something else that I could have had done for less money.
There are other horrors that I experienced, but these are the facts. The only good thing I can say about Advanced Metal Roofing is that, in the end, the guy who did the installation seemed like took pride in his work.
You may also want to do some math regarding their 42% energy savings guarantee. They only guarantee it for the first year, and they're only willing to reimburse you 21% ($500) on a typical $200/month energy bill. They probably build that $500 into the cost of your roof, and if you don't save a dime, you'll get $500 at the end of the year, which is nowhere near a 42% energy saving over the life of the roof; which would be rather significant. I do believe, that the metal roof will save on my summer cooling bills. The exact amount has yet to be seen.
In the end, I have a new, metal roof, and I believe it will be Ok. Thanks to Bradly Jernigan and his crew for their quality work. However, I was lied to, and I paid too much. If you work with these people, don't sign anything until you have your attorney review it... Seriously, it could save you thousands.
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