Frequently Asked Questions at JIC Professional Roofing

Buying a new roof system is a big step, an important investment and a choice you will have to live with for at least 30 years. Finding the best contractor for the job is a leap in the right direction, and can be the difference between a roofing project done well, and a roofing nightmare! The highlights in this guide will help you find a company that cares about your home and will provide what you deserve—a quality roof, at a fair price.

• Always insist on working with a licensed professional. Your home and your valuables are worth the time it takes to find the right company for the job.
• Check for a permanent place of business, a telephone number, and a tax identification number.
• Check to see when the company was established, if it is still under the same ownership, and whether they have recently relocated.
• Ask to see copies of the company’s liability insurance coverage and worker's compensation certificates. Make sure the coverages are in effect throughout the duration of the job.
• Check to see if the contractor has a valid roofing license and is fully bonded. You can call the Illinois licensing board at 1 (217) 785-0899 or check online at idfpr.com
• Check to see if the company is a member of the Better Business Bureau. You can call 1 (309) 688-3741 or check records online at peoria.bbb.org
• Ask where the company purchases materials. If the company is established and financially secure, the supplier will have extended them a line of credit.
• Insist on a typed or written proposal. Examine the proposal for complete descriptions of the work to be performed, and ask the contractor to explain wording you don't fully understand.
• Ask what actions will be taken to protect your home and yard from damage. Also, find out who will be responsible if something should be damaged.
• Find out who is responsible for the disposal of trash, who will purchase the roofing permit, and if a final cleaning of the yard will be performed.
• Ask if the quoted price is a “Guaranteed Completion Price” or just an Estimate.
• Be cautious of a contractor asking for full payment before the job is started, or before it is finished. A professional company will not expect full payment until the job is completed and you are happy with the results.
• Ask for client references or a list of recently completed projects. Phone the references and ask if they were satisfied.
• Ask for a personal number where the contractor can be contacted during the project. A good line of communication can often prevent problems from occurring.
• Trust your intuition. Remember that price is only one of the criteria for selecting a roofing contractor. Professionalism, quality workmanship, and trust should also play a major role in making your decision.

We strive to make the process of replacing a roof as friendly and simple as possible.

Typically very little is required of our customers. However, we find that providing information beforehand helps the project run more smoothly and problem-free. The following can be used as a guide to better understand what will take place during the project and what you can do to help.

Our crews consist of a job foreman and between three and eight workers. Our typical workday is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. Both the crew size and the work hours vary greatly depending on the time of year and the size of the project. Occasionally, the crew will work earlier in the morning, later in the evening, or on the weekend.

The foreman usually prefers to introduce himself the morning the work is to begin or the afternoon before. If you are available, this is a good time to address questions and discuss any events you have planned that will present a conflict with our scheduling.

The workers will require electricity to power equipment such as a hand saw or radio. A regular 110-volt electrical outlet is all that is needed. When meeting with the foreman, please direct him to the most convenient outdoor power outlet. If there are no outdoor outlets, we may ask that you feed a cord through a window or under a garage door for the duration of the project.

Unfortunately, minor situations like a blown fuse can bring a job to a complete stop. For this reason, we ask that you leave a work or cell phone number with the foreman, and that you keep the foreman's cell phone number with you during working hours. A good line of communication is often all that is required to prevent problems.

We will protect landscaping and AC units using tarps, plywood, or cardboard. However, any lawn furniture, decorative ornaments, or toys should be moved to a different location before the project begins. Please let us know beforehand if you need assistance with moving these items.

We use trucks and dump trailers to contain the debris from the project. We prefer to position these containers close to the home. This allows our crew to deposit debris directly into the container, tremendously reducing the amount of mess around the home. A driveway is often the best area to place these containers. Therefore, we may ask that you park your car in the street or at the end of the driveway until the job is finished.

We work diligently to prevent damage to our customers’ yard. However, on rare occasions our trucks and trailers can cause rutting to occur. If this does occur, we will fill the ruts with top soil and sow grass seed upon completion of the job.

Rarely, our trucks and trailers can cause sidewalks and driveways to crack. If your driveway or sidewalks are very new, old, thin, or otherwise prone to cracking, please let us know before the project begins. We will do our best to prevent cracking, however, we cannot be held responsible in the event this occurs.

Depending on the age of your home and the way it is constructed, a layer of dust or small debris may collect in your attic. If you store items or have HVAC equipment in your attic that needs to be protected, we ask that you do so before the job begins. Please feel free to call for help with this process, as we will gladly do it for a small additional charge.

Periodically, throughout the project, our work will cause light shaking to the home. This shaking is comparable to a door being slammed shut and is nothing to be alarmed about. However, it is possible for items to be shaken off of walls or shelves. If you have plates, vases, or other delicate items of concern, please remove or secure them before our work begins, as we cannot be held responsible for damage.

We encourage you to inspect our work and ask questions as the project progresses. However, it is especially important to let the foreman know of any concerns you may have before the job comes to a close. We prefer to address any concerns as they arise rather than waiting until the project is finished.

We are often asked "what is the difference between three-tab shingles and architectural shingles," and "are architectural shingles truly worth the extra investment." The following is a brief overview of the differences between the two types, and our opinion on which offers a better value.

Standard three-tab shingles are flat in appearance, with gullets or "cut-outs" creating three "tabs" on one strip shingle. Architectural shingles are created from one base shingle, onto which additional layers of material are adhered. These additional layers create a dimensional appearance and add strength and weight.

Three-tab shingles tend to show many of the natural imperfections in a roof structure because they are flat and without much variation in color. The dimension, texture, and color variations in architectural shingles do a much better job hiding these imperfections, often creating a much more appealing roof.

Due to the laminated construction of architectural shingles, they are less likely to tear, curl, or buckle. As well, they seal better and provide superior wind resistance. Three-tab shingles are typically rated to perform with winds up to 60 mph. Architectural shingles are rated anywhere from 70 to 130 mph.

Warranty length varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. However, in general, a decent grade of three-tab shingle carries a 25 to 30-year warranty. Architectural shingles carry a warranty anywhere from 30 years to "lifetime." As well, the actual details of a warranty can vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. It is also good to keep in mind that in many cases a better warranty can be offered if the shingle is installed by a certified contractor.

As with anything, price varies from brand to brand. Typically, a 25-year three-tab style shingle is about 20% cheaper than a 30-year architectural style shingle. If actual architectural style ridge and hip cap are used, the percentage can be slightly higher.

Everyone perceives "value” and "beauty" differently. Personally, we feel that 3 tabs serve their purpose very well as a basic shingle. However, architectural shingles have many advantages, offer a better value for your dollar and create a far more beautiful roof.

In the Midwest, winter ice dams are a frequent occurrence and can cause thousands of dollars in damage to a home. Fortunately, ice and water shield can be a relatively inexpensive solution if used properly.

Ice and water shield is a self-adhesive underlayment. It is installed directly to the wood deck prior to installing shingles, in the same manner as roofing felt. However in areas such as eaves, around chimneys, skylights or in valleys, ice and water shield adds an extra layer of protection and can help prevent leaking. As well, if installed correctly and by a certified contractor, ice and water shield can often extend the length and coverage of your warranty.

We have an unlimited roofing license which not only allows us to perform residential work but commercial and industrial work as well. Our license number is 104-000-646.

We maintain both worker's compensation and general liability insurance. Our coverage and limits are set for exceptionally high standards, as we work for large factories that require such coverage. Proof of insurance is always available by request. As well, for any project requiring the property owner to be listed as additionally insured, a certificate is easily attainable.

We are certified and proficient in installing nearly all major brands and types of material. If it is of professional-grade, we have years of experience working with the product. In general, the only products we no longer use are hot mop asphalt and torch down modified.

All of our workers have a 10 hour OSHA certification and are consistently trained in the current safety standards. Our employees are truly our greatest asset. We believe that our employees' safety, the safety of everyone on-site, and the protection of our customer's property is the most important factor in every project.