The difference between an expert and a hack is that the expert will give you the bad news up front! A hack won't see the bad news coming, and you'll be in the middle of the job when you both discover it.
I understand walking away from a project because of site constraints. The guy probably looked at your steep roof, all of the planting and landscaping and realized that _his_ risk wasn't worth it. If he rips the roof and ruins some specimen shrubbery, there goes his profit and maybe more.
That's a pretty big steep roof, and you're getting pretty big steep prices. It's only fitting. Best of luck with the next contractor in line.
Plenty of things not known. When I had my roof done (maybe 55x35 foot low pitch) there were 5-6 guys up there tearing it off when I went inside the house. Don't know how many nailed on the new stuff. I trusted the contractor and didn't pay attention. They were done in about 8 hours. That included the 20x22 detached garage. As far as safety, I did the family house myself when I was in my 20's. That was 2 stories up and steeply pitched. Made a chicken ladder and bought a belt and lanyard. Never felt unsafe even carrying the rolls up, but I was young and foolish. Hooked up the lanyard when nailing. Now I don't think anybody should work high without a second. When a guy about 50 years old tuckpointed my chimney recently I parked a lawn chair outside and kept company. Not because I wanted to, but just felt that was right.
You're going to pay more for anybody if they can't get a box close. Sometimes you're best off to sacrifice some flowers. Did you tell him he can't put a box on the flowers?
Foolish or impressive, yes. The OP mentioned that this guy's name came up a lot as one of the best. I believe all of these unknown and uncredited sources. ;) Seriously, though. If one guy's name keeps popping up it's because the guy leaves people satisfied without leaving a wake of trouble behind him. The glowing referrals from lumberyards is telling.
As far as the guy's logistics, that is just a matter of asking some questions. Generally roofers avoid having bundles schlepped up ladders and use the supply house's boom truck to deliver the stuff straight to the roof. Power ladders are another possibility. If the guy is a one man band, has been around for a while, and he gets recommended, then he's going to be efficient.
The old saying probably holds - good, fast, cheap, you can get you any two of the three, but you can't get all three. It'd be interesting to know how the guy's pricing stacks up against other roofers in the area.
R
Apparently the flake already flaked out.........................
I've found that to generally be the case in a number of places. Some places will throw out a name or three, others will just shake their heads no. This is one of the things that interests me about this OMB (one man band) - how does the guy do something that doesn't appear to make sense, but manage to get recommended, make a profit and stay in business? I don't see luck being the major player in that equation.
There are many, many companies where you wouldn't want the next guy in line finishing the show anyway. Most roofing companies are pretty small businesses, a guy and his uncle or somesuch and some hired grunts is not atypical. Which one of these guys would you want to finish your roof...?
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If the guy was laid up, another company/friend-roofer would finish the job. It's funny but what some are taking to be a negative - working alone - I take to be a positive in almost everything but speed.
I understand your skepticism, but drawing assumptions from the little info on the guy that the OP provided, and focusing on the negative instead of wanting more information, the OP might end up throwing out the wheat with the chaff. Aren't you curious if the guy uses roof tie- offs or freeballs it? What exactly does he sub out? Does he do _everything_ himself and it will take weeks to do the roof? How big and complicated is the roof? Does he sub out rip off and removal and just do all of the shingling himself? I'm not convinced that it's impossible for one person to work on a roof safely or reshingle an entire house by themselves. It's more of a question of how long it would take, quality and cost.
R
Apparently, this guy, and some writers here ................. have never heard of a surety bond. It is a requirement in most states. It is a bond. A payment that guarantees and backs up your contract. It covers the cost of any contractor when they cannot or will not finish a job, or when they louse it up so bad that someone else has to finish it. Very common in business circles, but then those who are not in business, or who have never been in business, or are in business but don't follow the rules are oblivious of it. And so with bid bonds, performance bonds, etc.
*I'm in NJ and all it takes is a phone call to my insurance agent and he sends out the insurance certificates. Usually when someone requests one, I will make the call right in front of them and my agent will fax it within an hour or two or have it in the mail the same day. No fuss on my part.
Yes, but the point I wanted to make is that a contractor presenting their OWN certificate of insurance is not SOP in some states. Whatever form it takes, the insurance company contacts the potential employer directly to provide verification of the insurance.
I performed work at Hoover Dam. I was told that I did not have to have a contractor's license, nor provide proof of workman's comp, as I was on federal property.
4 guys cannot do a roof in 1/4 the time it takes one man to do the job. 2 guys MIGHT be able to do the job in less than half the time one guy would take. I've known a few 2 man teams that would make most 4 guy teams sweat - and they make it look easy. And I know a few guys that would do a roof alone in less time - and make a better job of it
- than a lot of 2 man crews. When a guy is really good at it, he doesn't waste a move, or a shingle and the roof goes on "like buttah"
Note that 'federal property' and 'federal reservation' are two different things. In general, state laws still apply on property the feds happen to own (like the office building I work in), but not on federal reservations, where the feds have jumped through the hoops to say THEY are the master of that turf. Most military bases are federal reservations.
As a practical matter, it seldom makes a difference, since most regs for reservations mimic state and local laws. And most federal sites have agreements with local governments for mutual aid and support.
But as to OP's question- even if local law does not require it, YOUR insurance company will be PO'd if you hire the guy, since their ass is now swinging in the wind. I had to fire a 'good old boy' tree guy this summer for that very reason. I saw that he was working beyond his skill level, and one of the remaining trees could easily kill somebody if not done correctly. I called my insurance company, and they said to get rid of him before I ended up supporting his widow for the rest of her life. (Not to mention, that even if my company paid the claim to avoid court costs, I would have a Real Hard Time ever getting coverage again.)
Hated to do it- the guy was honest and nice enough, but without his own workman's comp, I just couldn't take the risk. He told me similar stories of working for other people, but when he is on another guy's crew, he is covered by their policy.
Zero, in many cases. you can have a rooftop delivery as long as the truck can get near. The bundles are spread over the roof to minimize lifting.
A fellow at work did his roof a few weeks back (small ranch). He took off a Friday and it was done when he came to work on Monday. He will be 73 in January. He has also had heart surgery about 6 years ago, throat cancer about 20 years ago. More energy that any three people I know.
And not only that, but anyone can rent a skid steer to move the removal debris to the dumpster. Also, considering it's nearly fall and I believe you said you're in Iowa, your flowers will soon be dead anyhow. I'd opt to lose some flowers if it means saving several hundred bucks or more. Another thing, you get what you pay for. If you insist on someone who is insured, you'll pay more. The lower he can keep his costs, the lower his prices can be. I get the feeling you want a cadillac but are only willing to pay for a bicycle. Maybe that's why that first guy decided to not take your job, and just used the dumpster location as an excuse.
I was once a self employed building contractor. I turned down many jobs because people wanted way too much, yet were not willing to pay a fair price. I still recall one person who had me do an estimate, then asked for a lower price, while they then told me what days and hours I had to work, how they wanted the job done (which was not possible), where to buy my parts because they had a friend working there, and so on. I told them I was not interested, they insisted calling me daily for several months, begging me to do the job. I already know, that was because no one else would work for them either. I finally had to get the phone company to block their number to stop them from flooding my answering machine with calls.
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