When deciding between two quotes for your home roof replacement project (one being from Great Lakes Home Remodeling and the other being from Roofing419), both appear to be high-quality contractors with positive customer feedback. Each quote indicates that each contractor is confident in doing the work correctly. However, how do you determine which contractor to hire?
These two businesses serve very different types of jobs. Great Lakes is a multi-state exterior remodeler that has locations in Toledo, Troy, Dayton and Oakwood. Roofing419 is the best residential roofing-only and serves only Toledo, Ohio. Neither is a bad option. One however, would be more suitable for a Toledo roof replacement and the questions below will help you determine which.
The Short Answer
Great Lakes Home Remodeling handles several exterior home improvement services, including roofing, windows, siding, insulation, and gutters. The company operates across multiple locations and states, so roofing is only one part of its business. When a company handles so many different products and services, its focus is spread across multiple areas rather than residential roofing alone. Customers have also posted complaints about the company on platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google, Facebook, and Reddit. Before signing a contract, homeowners should review these complaints and customer experiences to understand the concerns people have raised about the company and its services.
Roofing419 is a strong choice for homeowners who want a company focused on residential roofing. Based in Toledo, Ohio, Roofing419 is a local, family-owned roofing company that specializes in roof replacement, roof inspections, roof repairs, and storm damage. Instead of dividing its attention among windows, siding, insulation, and other exterior products, the company focuses on roofing. For homeowners who want a local contractor with a clear focus on their roof, Roofing419 is worth considering. Before choosing any contractor, compare recent customer reviews, warranty terms, written estimates, and who will be responsible for the work.
Are You Just Going To Need A Roof?
Great Lakes offers metal roofs, asphalt shingles, replacement windows, vinyl siding, attic insulation and gutter guards. According to the company’s website, they serve customers in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. When you are planning on having your entire home’s exterior redone, it is much simpler to use just one contractor and have them complete the job at once.
Roofing419 only does roofs. Not windows. Not siding. It may seem like a restriction at first glance, however, when you realize the implications for your project, it will become obvious. All of Roofing419’s workers are dedicated to doing roof work in Toledo, every single day. The company doesn’t have to pull anyone away from your project to go do a siding installation in Dayton.
What exactly is on your roof?
Great Lakes website says they have an “our certified crew.” However, the site does not state whether their installers are on staff as employees or if they are sub-contractors. This is not necessarily a bad thing as there are many successful businesses that employ both types of workers. Nevertheless, this is something to ask prior to signing any contract since the person/crew installing your roof will determine how well it performs.
The answer to this question was provided by Roofing419. There are no subcontractors. The installers have followed a 19-point installation procedure and they have over 20 years of roofing experience. When you contact roofing419 regarding your roof, you will be contacting the same company that installed it.
The Estimating Process.
The Great Lakes company has consultants available to visit your home to provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate on-site, they also offer an online estimation service which utilizes satellite photography to provide you with a price range within approximately one minute. This fast, convenient process is appreciated by many home owners.
The Roofing419 process begins with a complimentary roof assessment. The team will access the roof area, present their findings to you, and offer a written estimate for the cost of repairs. While satellite technology provides measurements of the size of the roof, it does not allow a roofer to determine if there are any issues such as loose decking or improperly installed flashing. Once you have received your estimate, you are free to take the information home with you to review against estimates from other contractors, and ultimately make your decision regarding whether or not to hire Roofing419.
What happens if a storm hits the area where you live in the next month?
This is where a local roofer can really show why they are worth what you pay them. Toledo storms will not wait until the next day to hit. Companies that have to schedule around many different jobs in three states, like Great Lakes, do not advertise emergency services on their website.
Roofing419 offers 24/7/365 emergency services with a 40 minute response time for all customers within its service area. Placing a tarp over the leak in your roof in less than 1 hour can prevent damage to your ceiling, insulation, and drywall. This is one of the main reasons that it is so important for homeowners to use local businesses.
When choosing a warranty, it can be confusing as to which type will offer you the most protection.
According to GAF’s contractor directory, Great Lakes is a GAF Master Elite Contractor as well as a GAF President’s Club Member. This status allows them to provide GAF’s Golden Pledge limited warranty for eligible roof systems. The warranty provided by GAF is a manufacturer-backed warranty that provides excellent coverage. When working with Great Lakes, be sure to ask if your specific roof system qualifies for the Golden Pledge limited warranty as not all systems will.
Roofing419 offers a lifetime workmanship warranty with every installation as well as the manufacturer’s material warranty for all of their product line. There is no qualification process that needs to be completed. Your workmanship warranty will be issued by the same company that installed your roof; this means that if you ever experience problems with your new roof, you can contact Roofing419 directly and they will come out to inspect/repair your roof at no charge to you.
Are you considering Stone Coated Steel?
Both firms utilize a type of roofing that is made from stone-coated metal. The appearance of this roofing resembles that of shingles or shakes; it has good resistance to damage from both hail and high winds, as well as an extended lifespan (of several decades). Also, because of how the different components of the roofing system (panels, trim, fasteners) must function as a unit, there are many detailed aspects of its installation that will affect whether the roofing system functions properly.
Roofing419 is a Decra “Partner in Quality”, an installation certification program Decra offers to installers that adhere to Decra’s standards for stone-coated steel roofing. Great Lakes states on their website that their metal roofing is stone-coated; however, there is no mention of what type of metal roofing it is or if it has any type of metal roofing certification. If you are considering metal roofing, be sure to ask each roofer that provides an estimate, what brand of metal roofing they use and if they have been certified by the manufacturer of that brand of metal roofing.
Where the Great Lakes have an advantage.
Credit as well. Great Lakes has GAF Master Elite Status that is reserved by GAF for the top contractors. The website states a 4.9-star rating based upon hundreds of Google reviews; and an A+ with the BBB. There are no interest-free options for up to 12 months with approved credit.
That’s why it is the better option if you’re looking for a single contractor to handle your window, siding and roofing needs. You can find Great Lakes near you if you reside in the Dayton, OH, Cleveland, OH, or Detroit, MI markets as Roofing419 does not have an presence there.
Where Roofing419 outperforms other roofing companies.
What makes Roofing419 unique is the fact that they are solely focused on providing quality residential roofing services to the Toledo, Ohio community. Unlike many other roofing companies who subcontract out parts of their work or use non-local crews, Roofing419 employs all of its own installers and has them remain locally. In addition, Roofing419 is a Decra Certified Installer of Stone-Coated Steel Roofing Systems. Furthermore, regardless of the type of roofing system selected by the customer, Roofing419 provides a lifetime workmanship warranty.
The other factor that sets Roofing419 apart from competitors is how fast the company can get to you. Most multi-state remodeling companies do not provide an estimate of 40 minutes for their emergency response times. If you live in Toledo, Ohio and need your roof replaced, this combination will make it difficult for you to find another company to complete the job.
Quick facts side-by-side.
Factor |
Great Lakes Home Remodeling |
Roofing419 |
Offices |
Toledo OH, Troy MI, Dayton OH, Oakwood OH |
Toledo |
Service area |
Ohio, Michigan, Indiana |
Toledo Area |
Services |
The five main components of your home’s exterior that you need to be concerned about are; roof, windows, siding, insulation, and gutters. |
Residential Roofing only |
Material Used |
Use GAF Material |
Owens Corning Duration Shingle, Decra |
Installers |
“certified crew” (unspecified employment status) |
Own Crew, No Contractors |
Estimate |
Get an immediate on-site price or a virtual satellite based estimate |
Free 19 points roof inspection and free written estimate. |
Warranty |
In a contract, a workmanship warranty can be included. This would typically provide that the contractor will make repairs or replace items if there are any defects within a certain time frame after the work is complete. The warranty can also specify how long the warranty will last, and what the owner must do to file a claim. If the warranty has expired, the owner may still have a legal right to bring a lawsuit against the contractor. A workmanship warranty can be provided by the contractor, or it can be a part of the construction contract. If the warranty is part of the construction contract, then it should state whether the owner is responsible for costs associated with filing a claim under the warranty. A through the GAF warranty for systems that qualify. |
Roofing419 offers a lifetime workmanship guarantee on all installations. |
Emergency response |
Not listed |
40 minutes |
Financing |
0% on the first year (with approved credit). |
Available |
The Right Questions To Ask A Roofer Prior To Signing A Contract
The person who installs your roof is called a roofer.
Ask whether they are employees or a subcontractor team; then ask what to do when something goes wrong with the equipment in the third year.
What is covered by your warranty, and will your roof meet the criteria for coverage?
Get your written agreement. Find out what parts of the project are warrantied, for what period of time, and if the warranty can be transferred if you decide to sell the home.
After a storm, how quickly will you arrive to begin repairs on my home?
A valid response is going to include some type of numerical value. “We will be with you shortly,” is not a numerical value.
Does the quoted price include a complete removal of your existing roof, installation of new underlayment, and installation of new ventilation?
One quote may appear as though it were thousands of dollars more than another due to a omission such as not including a quote for ventilation or new flashing. Do a side-by-side comparison.
The Bottom Line
Great Lakes Home Remodeling is a general home remodeling company that offers a wide range of remodeling services. If you are planning extensive work across multiple areas of your home or live outside the city of Toledo, hiring Great Lakes Home Remodeling may be a good choice.
In terms of specialization, Roofing419 is an excellent, licensed and certified roofing company for Toledo homeowners in need of a new roof. This is because they specialize only in residential roofs, they do not subcontract any work, they provide a limited lifetime warranty on all installations and can arrive at your home within 40 mins in the emergency situation.
Schedule a free roof assessment.
Roofing419 will inspect your roof free of charge, then give you an honest answer as to if you need to replace it or just repair it. The company provides a written estimate for either option, without any pressure to commit to anything at all that day. If you would like to have Roofing419 out to inspect your roof, contact them by phone (419) 509-0456, or make an appointment for a free roof inspection via their website. See more