ISO Slate Roofer

[Anonymous]

Can anyone recommend a great slate roofer to replace a slope of -- if not all of -- our roof? We are in DC near AU.

We're particularly interested in recommendations from those of you who replaced your roof years ago, have had few problems with it, and have an on-going relationship with your roofer -- or at least know that he is still in business.

We're also interested in hearing about any particularly bad experiences you might have had so that we can avoid the making the same mistakes.

Also, any advice about undertaking a major slate roof repair/replacement would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[jsteele]

My recommendation doesn't meet all of your criteria, but we had a slate roof replaced by American Custom Contractors, http://americancustomcontractors.com/

However, that was only a year ago and it was replaced with artificial slate (made from recycled products). The same company replaced a slate roof of a neighbor, using real slate. It was the quality of that job that led us to considering American Custom Contractors. We have been very happy with our roof and the work they did on it, but of course it's only been a year. The company has been around for over 30 years I believe, so I'd expect them to survive a while longer.

Their initial quote was a little high, but we were able to bargain them down to a reasonable figure.

[Anonymous]

are you a part of the AU Park community list serve? They just updated the community recommendations for tradesmen yesterday.

I did a quick search and here are the ones I would look into....
"... I have THE most wonderful roofer! His name is Daryl Hawthorne at 301-370-2210. He replaced the slate on the back half of the house, where it was weathered. He had been patching it for more than a couple of years, but finally recommended that it be replaced. He also has been maintaining our flat roof. He is very conscientious and honest. (As an example, he telephoned us when we were vacationing in California to let us know that we had some rotten wood on the flat roof, and it would cost more than the amount he had estimated so would it be okay to go ahead.) He even took pictures to show us the rotten wood he had uncovered. My husband and I were both very impressed with his care, and he has worked for us for a number of years. ..."

"... We have a great roofer...have known him for 20 years and used him both for our home in AU Park and a weekend home in Rappahannock County. His name is Dave Roberson, and you can reach him on his cell phone, 301-502-7777. ....."

there were also a bunch of postings for Rose Roofing
"... We of course will always stay with Rose Roofing. They are a slate roof specialist and also extremely honest, fair, and have never had them return to re-do anything. It's always done right the first time. ..."

"... Rose is the gold standard, especially for slate roofs..."

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:My recommendation doesn't meet all of your criteria, but we had a slate roof replaced by American Custom Contractors, http://americancustomcontractors.com/

However, that was only a year ago and it was replaced with artificial slate (made from recycled products). The same company replaced a slate roof of a neighbor, using real slate. It was the quality of that job that led us to considering American Custom Contractors. We have been very happy with our roof and the work they did on it, but of course it's only been a year. The company has been around for over 30 years I believe, so I'd expect them to survive a while longer.

Their initial quote was a little high, but we were able to bargain them down to a reasonable figure.

Why did you decide to go with artificial slate? Was it cost? Is artificial slate less vulnerable to wind damage, etc.?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:are you a part of the AU Park community list serve? They just updated the community recommendations for tradesmen yesterday.

I did a quick search and here are the ones I would look into....
"... I have THE most wonderful roofer! His name is Daryl Hawthorne at 301-370-2210. He replaced the slate on the back half of the house, where it was weathered. He had been patching it for more than a couple of years, but finally recommended that it be replaced. He also has been maintaining our flat roof. He is very conscientious and honest. (As an example, he telephoned us when we were vacationing in California to let us know that we had some rotten wood on the flat roof, and it would cost more than the amount he had estimated so would it be okay to go ahead.) He even took pictures to show us the rotten wood he had uncovered. My husband and I were both very impressed with his care, and he has worked for us for a number of years. ..."

"... We have a great roofer...have known him for 20 years and used him both for our home in AU Park and a weekend home in Rappahannock County. His name is Dave Roberson, and you can reach him on his cell phone, 301-502-7777. ....."

there were also a bunch of postings for Rose Roofing
"... We of course will always stay with Rose Roofing. They are a slate roof specialist and also extremely honest, fair, and have never had them return to re-do anything. It's always done right the first time. ..."

"... Rose is the gold standard, especially for slate roofs..."

Thanks, PP. Would you be willing to check the AU list serve for a phone number or address for Rose Roofing? I have found two local companies doing business under the name "Rose Roofing". One is in Haymarket, VA, and the other is in Arlington, VA. I'd hate to go with the wrong one.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

Why did you decide to go with artificial slate? Was it cost? Is artificial slate less vulnerable to wind damage, etc.?

Thanks.

Cost, plus we liked the idea of using a recycled product. It has a 50 year warranty which should be more than sufficient. It is not uncommon for people to think it is real slate. I also believe that it will require less maintenance than real slate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:are you a part of the AU Park community list serve? They just updated the community recommendations for tradesmen yesterday.

I did a quick search and here are the ones I would look into....
"... I have THE most wonderful roofer! His name is Daryl Hawthorne at 301-370-2210. He replaced the slate on the back half of the house, where it was weathered. He had been patching it for more than a couple of years, but finally recommended that it be replaced. He also has been maintaining our flat roof. He is very conscientious and honest. (As an example, he telephoned us when we were vacationing in California to let us know that we had some rotten wood on the flat roof, and it would cost more than the amount he had estimated so would it be okay to go ahead.) He even took pictures to show us the rotten wood he had uncovered. My husband and I were both very impressed with his care, and he has worked for us for a number of years. ..."

"... We have a great roofer...have known him for 20 years and used him both for our home in AU Park and a weekend home in Rappahannock County. His name is Dave Roberson, and you can reach him on his cell phone, 301-502-7777. ....."

there were also a bunch of postings for Rose Roofing
"... We of course will always stay with Rose Roofing. They are a slate roof specialist and also extremely honest, fair, and have never had them return to re-do anything. It's always done right the first time. ..."

"... Rose is the gold standard, especially for slate roofs..."

Thanks, PP. Would you be willing to check the AU list serve for a phone number or address for Rose Roofing? I have found two local companies doing business under the name "Rose Roofing". One is in Haymarket, VA, and the other is in Arlington, VA. I'd hate to go with the wrong one.

Unfortunatly no one posted a phone # or email address - I assume it is the Arlington. The posts said they get great ratings on checkbook - maybe you can check that or YELP?