South Gate, CA
Find out what you are actually dealing with
An inspection is the cheapest thing on this site and the one that saves the most money, because it turns a guess into a number.
Describe the inspection job
Three questions, then the address. Up to three South Gate contractors who do this work.
You are on the list.
No provider in South Gate is taking requests through this service yet. We are lining them up, and yours is kept until one can.
- Nobody gets your details yet. Your request stays with us and is not passed to any company.
- One email when someone can help. When a provider covering your area can take it on, we email you once and ask whether you want that company, by name, to contact you.
- Deleted after 90 days. If nobody can take it on, or you do not say yes, your contact details are deleted 90 days after your request.
- You decide, or you do not. There is nothing to cancel and nothing to pay us.
Nobody will call you about this request unless you say yes to a company by name.
Before you let anybody on the roof
The things worth pinning down on a inspection job. A contractor who has not raised them has not looked properly.
- An estimated number of years left in the covering
- A written report, not a verbal summary
- Whether the inspection includes going into the attic
- Photographs of anything they flag
- Whether the fee comes off the job if you proceed
Free inspections are tied to an estimate, which is fine as long as you know that going in. Paid inspections buy you a written report that is not attached to somebody wanting the work.
A thorough look covers the covering, the flashings, the penetrations, the gutters, the ventilation and the attic side of the deck. If nobody went into the attic, half the inspection did not happen.
Twice a year is the standard advice, and almost nobody does it. Once after the worst weather of the year is a reasonable compromise.
Locally
The second problem is shaded slopes that never really dry out. The north side of a house here ages years faster than the south side, and almost every roof gets replaced because of it.
About inspection here
I have solar panels. What happens to them?
They come off and go back on, and that is a separate cost, often handled by the solar installer rather than the roofer. If the roof is near the end of its life, do the roof first — removing and refitting panels twice is money wasted.
What warranty should I expect?
Ask for both in writing: the material warranty from the manufacturer and the workmanship warranty from the contractor. The second one is the one that matters in year three, and it is only as good as the company behind it.
How long does a re-roof take?
Two days is typical for asphalt. Add days for steep pitch, multiple layers to strip, tile work, or a roof with a lot of valleys and penetrations.
I rent. Can I use this?
Only the owner can approve roofing work. If you are renting, the fastest route is to send this to your landlord or property manager rather than gathering quotes nobody can act on.
What is it going to cost?
Free, no obligation, and your details go to no company until you say yes.