Matthews Roofing and Construction Blog

Blog entries on this site have been posted by Earl Fremin, the president of High Top Roofing – a fully licensed and bonded roofing contractor with an “A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau and an “A” rating on Angie’s list.

High Top Roofing serves the Charlotte metro area including Union County with residential and commercial roofing services including new installations and repairs.

High Top Roofing’s parent company is Fremin Construction, Inc. which offers residential and commercial construction services in the Charlotte metro area.

The company’s service offerings are featured on its web site at www.hightoproof.com.

It’s never been harder to select a contractor you can trust.

And it doesn't help when you're relying on someone that perhaps you just met to help you decide whether or not to repair or replace your roof.

Finally, the industry is constantly changing due to new materials, government regulations, competitive pressure and the usual bad business practices that smart consumers need to stay out in front of.

Blog posts on this site will help keep you informed on the latest industry trends in both the roofing and construction industries.

Don’t miss out on critical information you need to be an informed customer of roofing and construction services in the Charlotte area.

Visit this site often or subscribe to our RSS feeds to see the latest topics posted by Earl Fremin.

Call High Top Roofing at 704-989-3189 or Request a free estimate today!

Learn more about Matthews residential roofing or Matthews commercial roofing.

03/07/2024

A storm chaser roofer is typically an out of town roofing company that comes into the Matthews area after major rain or hail storm.

Some of the things these companies are known for include:

  • Scaring homeowners into replacing their roof and filing a claim right after the storm.
  • Getting as many jobs as possible and sub-contracting out the work to other companies.
  • Hiring cheap, unskilled labor with no prior roofing experience.
  • Performing sloppy, sub-standard work.
  • Leaving town and refusing to perform any warranty work they promised under the contract.
  • Changing their company name multiple times to hide poor reviews or customer complaints.

These storm chaser roofing companies are showing up in large numbers in Matthews and throughout Union County primarily for 3 reasons:

  1. The average cost of a new roof in Matthews has increased over 50% in the last 5 years to $26,000.
  2. The hail storm that occurred on 9/7/23.
  3. Whenever we have a significant amount of sustained rain in the area.

If you sign a roofing contract with any out of town storm chaser roofer, here are some of the issues and warning signs we're seeing in our area:

  • Unknown roofers asking if they can come into your house and call the insurance company with you. Don't do this!
  • One homeowner found a roofer who climbed up on their roof without permission.
  • Companies you've never heard of before will ask you who your insurance company is - don't share this information with them!
  • There are about 10 storm chaser roofers actively working in the Charlotte Metro and Union County areas who keep changing their company's name over and over.
  • Companies that have actually threatened insurance companies who have refused to pay for roofs that are not a valid insurance claim.
  • Storm chasers will buy mixed lots of shingles at a discount or use shingles left over from other projects leaving you with a roof full of shingles that do not match.
  • At least 1 of these companies markets themselves as "Veteran Owned". We support veterans but don't be taken in by this if other warning signs are present.

One of the worst things we've seen from storm chaser roofing companies is that some of them have actually deliberately damaged Matthews roofs by creasing or bending shingles in order to get an insurance claim approved.

If they do that to your roof and the insurance company finds out about it, this is considered insurance fraud and that's something you want to avoid at all costs.

Here's the worst part about storm chaser roofing companies. If they do poor roofing work on your roof or skip town, it's difficult to get a complaint logged against them on the Better Business site. And if you are successful reporting a complaint, there's still a high chance that they will change the name of their roofing company and just start over. So the person knocking on your door may have a large number of complaints in their history but you may not be aware of them because their most recently created company doesn't have any complaint history yet.

You have to admit, there is a lot to worry about if you don't know who these storm chaser roofing companies are.

Don't take that chance - work with a local roofer who's been in business over 38 years!

Call High Top Roofing at 704-989-3189 or Request a free estimate today!!

 

 

08/01/2021

High Top Roofing recently purchased a new gutter machine.

We're excited about this equipment because we now have the ability to form and install new seamless precision gutters and downspouts on your home as part of a comprehensive project to replace or repair your roof.

Roof gutters can need replacement for a number of reasons.

  • Sometimes the gutters become dated and it might be time to update them to a fresh, new style.
  • Gutters can also become damaged due to weather event.
  • There may not be enough capacity to handle the water in either the gutter or the downspout.

Regardless of the reasons that your gutters may need replacement, we're excited to offer this service.

We'll custom fit these gutters to your home for optimum performance and we'll get to the route cause of your problem. If it's the gutters we'll replace them. If you can solve the water problem by updating your gutter system to use larger downspouts, we'll recommend that instead of moving you to a larger gutter size when that might not be what you need.

Call High Top Roofing today at 704-989-3189 or Request a free estimate today!

03/31/2021

If you've been looking for a new roof in Matthews, North Carolina, then you may be aware that there's a shortage of roofing shingles in the greater Charlotte metro area.

So when a Matthews Roofing Company places a shingle order with a manufacturer, it could take a couple of weeks for the order to come in or it might not be possible to get that type of shingle at all in the current market.

If you're working with the wrong roofing company, that company could be cutting corners and installing a lower quality brand on your roof as a substitution for what you were expecting in the contract you signed with that company.

These shingle shortages can happen for a variety of reasons, but some contractors in this market are substituting lower quality shingles into their contracts but telling their customers that they're actually getting an upgraded shingle compared to what was in the contract.

In other cases, they could simply be substituting in any type of shingle they can get.

That could put you in a difficult situation where you're asked to make a last minute decision to accept a substitute product that may not perform the way you expect it to.

When you contact High Top Roofing, we'll work with you and agree on a high quality shingle brand that we'll include by name in our contract.

If we place an order and can't get that particular brand right away, we'll encourage you to wait for it to come in.

We're simply not willing to use a substitute brand that may not be the same high quality that you were expecting.

If you're pressed for time and want to substitute another roofing shingle, we'll take the time to educate you on the quality differences of any shingle you might be considering for substitution.

And at the end of the day, you can make the call on whether or not to make a substitution, but we want you to have the best information to make an informed decision.

If you're in the market for a new roof in Matthews during the pandemic, don't accept a lower quality roofing shingle because of the shingle shortage during the pandemic.

Call High Top Roofing today at 704-989-3189 or request a free estimate.

 

02/28/2021

One of the most common roofing repair jobs High Top Roofing does in Wesley Chapel, it to repair roof damage caused by squirrels.

Squirrels can peel up your your roof shingles and damage them and chew through your roof decking.

They also can tear holes in your roof soffits or fascia, damage your gutters, and then enter your home and wreak havoc.

Once their in your attic, they can chew up electrical wiring, damage insulation, and damage things you have stored in your attic.

There are many places where squirrels can enter your home.

They can come in through gaps in your soffits or fascia, enter through gaps or opening in your siding, and also get in through your ridge vents or an open, uncapped chimney.

Here are some of things you can do to prevent squirrels from damaging your Wesley Chapel roof:

  • Install a drip edge
     
    A drip edge is a piece of metal that slides under your first row of shingles and hangs over the edge of your fascia. It's main function is to help drain water away from your home.
     
    They also help make it harder for a squirrel to tunnel between your roof shingles and fascia.
     
  • Trim the trees around your home
     
    Trimming the trees around your home to a minimum of eight feet, will help keep even squirrels who can jump very far away from your roof.
     
  • Inspect your roof at regular intervals
     
    Have a roofing professional inspect your roof outside and climb into your attic a few times per year to ensure there are no animal droppings, torn insulation, or moisture.
     
  • Keep your gutters clean
     
    When gutters are clogged with debris and leaves, they don't work properly and they attract animals who may want to nest in them.
     
  • Seal your home exterior openings

If you suspect that you have damage to your roof caused by squirrels, call us at 704-989-3189 or request a free estimate.

We're a leading Wesley Chapel Roofing Company and we look forward to serving you!

 

 

 

 

01/31/2021

When it comes to roof repairs in Matthews, one of the most common types of roofing repairs made by High Top Roofing involves cricket repairs.

As shown below, a cricket is a section of the roof that's surrounded by a roofing section that slopes into the area and/or the house.

As you can tell from the photo, a cricket is highly susceptible to roof leaks because of the large volume of water that can flow through the area.

In this case, the roof that slopes into the area and the siding area of the house can both bring large volumes of water through this section of the roof.

As a result, many of the roof repair work calls we receive are about fixing links in a cricket area.

To fix links in a cricket we generally do the following:

Tear off the shingles and underlayment in the area.
Install an ice and water barrier.
Then we install new shingles in the area.

 

Because crickets can have a large volume of water that flows through them, at High Top Roofing we take great care in our to make sure our cricket repairs are done to very high standards.

If you need help with a roofing repair, give us a call at 704-989-3189 or request a free estimate today!

12/31/2020

Let's face it.

There was not a lot of good news during 2020 on many fronts due to the virus.

However, the cost of installing a new roof in Charlotte during the year was not as negatively affected by the virus as much as the cost of other building materials were.

According to the producer price index report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for November 2020, the cost of asphalt roofing and siding materials increased by 3.1% over the last 12 months.

The price of nails increased .3% over the same period which also helped to keep roofing costs affordable during this difficult year.

While no one likes higher prices, the increase in these roofing materials was nothing compared to the staggering increases that other building materials experienced.

For example softwood lumber increased 37.2% over the past 12 months while soft plywood products increased a staggering 62.8% over the same period.

Prices for power wire and cable increased 9.3% which tripled the increase in the cost of asphalt in the last 12 months.

While it's been a challenging year, we're thankful that High Top Roofing has been able to continue delivering new roofing installations at a competitive price.

If you're looking for a Charlotte roofing contractor, give us a call at 704-989-3189 or you can request a free estimate.  

 

12/01/2020

When you have a roof leak or you're in need of a roofing repair, you might be very apprehensive and concerned when you begin the process of trying to find a reputable roofing contractor.

And you have good reason to be concerned.

After all, there's no shortage of horror stories out there from Matthews homeowners who were unlucky enough to select the wrong roofing contractor.

And let's face it, while you might already have a favorite landscaper or small repair contractor, there's a good chance that you don't have a favorite roofing contractor in your address file.

Hiring the right roofing contractor is an act of faith.

Even with lots of research, this kind of decision can be nerve wracking.

So what's the best way to help you spot a bad roofing contractor? Consider the following tips.

You get what you pay for.

Your roof protects everything that is near and dear to you. If you cut corners and select a roofing contractor based on price only, there's a good chance you'll be sorry you did. And whatever savings you thought you were going to get will quickly evaporate if roofing installation problems surface after the fact.

Check for verifiable reviews, references, and credentials.

Ask any contractor you're considering to provide links to online reviews, reference phone numbers, as well as their Better Business Bureau and Angie's list profiles. Take the time to call those references and ask them in-depth questions about the quality of the roofing materials and workmanship that customer experienced. Don't rule out a company you're considering just because you see a bad review. Take the time to read the company's response to the bad review to ensure that you get a complete picture of the dispute in question.

Look to see what kind of online presence the contractor has. 

Locate the company's website, their business listings on Google and Bing, and find all of their social media accounts. A company that does not have a meaningful online presence could be brand new or it could be that they don't want potential customers to learn about their business reputation.

Check to see how long the company has been in business.

Many roofing companies are small businesses. It's not unusual for a roofing company to switch from one company name to another one over a period of time. What you need to find out is how long that company has been in the roofing business. So take the time to add up the number of years of roofing experience the company may have across multiple company names.

Choose a local company with a long track record.

There's a good chance that your new roof is going to need some follow-up work to fix some issues or possibly to make some warranty repairs. If you hire a roofing company that does not have a long-term local presence in your community, you're taking a big risk that could result in poor service after the sale.

Never pay a roofing contractor for all of the work up front.

It's not unusual for a roofing contractor to ask you for a portion of the total cost up-front to pay for roofing materials. But if you do that, ask the roofer to have those materials delivered directly to your home - not to some other location. A reputable roofing contractor generally won't have a problem with a customer making the final payment (sometimes called retention) of 10% to 20% upon completion of the project. For most contractors that final payment is their profit and a good contractor will be highly motivated to complete the job to your satisfaction in order to receive this final payment. When a roofing contractor asks you to pay 100% of the cost of a project upfront, that's a strong warning sign that you may be dealing with a bad roofing contractor. And if you do this, you're not going to have any recourse if things don't work out.

A good roofing contractor isn't afraid to walk away.

Think about it. A good roofing contractor will have confidence in the quality of their work and the price they quote you to walk away from your project if you're not going to select them. A bad roofing contractor might be overly persistent and may tend to use high pressure sales tactics and be willing to do anything to close the sale.

Look for good communication.

Bad roofing contractors are horrible communicators. The only time they may contact you or show up is when they want you to sign a contract or to pay them money at the start of the project. A good roofing contractor will return your phone calls and emails promptly both before and after the sale.

While there are never guarantees when it comes to hiring the right Matthews roofing contractor, the list above will help you spot a bad one.

10/30/2020

If you live in the Charlotte metro area and the roof on your home has been damaged, you might be trying to decide whether or not to file a claim against your homeowners insurance policy.

You might be thinking that you should file a claim regardless of the situation.

After all, you've probably paid a lot of money to your insurance company year after year, right?

But before you do, consider the following.

You should not file a Matthews roof insurance claim if:

  • The cost to repair your roof is less than your deductible

Since it's your responsibility to pay the cost of your deductible, it doesn't make sense to file an insurance claim for a $400 roof repair if your deductible is $1,000. Filing claims for small dollar amounts doesn't make sense because they can lead a situation where your insurance company could cancel or non-renew your policy and other insurance companies don't want to insure your home either.

  • The cause of your damage is normal wear and tear

Your insurance policy won't pay for a leaky roof that was caused by the fact that you did not maintain your roof or because the roof materials just wore out due to age.

  • You filed a claim in the last 3 years

Insurance companies share a database that tracks your claim history. If they see that you have a history of multiple claims, they might not be willing to accept the risk of insuring your home.

 

You should file a roof insurance claim in Matthews if:

  • The cost to repair your roof is more than your deductible

If you have a repair estimate for $5,000 and your deductible is $1,000, file a claim.

  • There is a lot of damage

This is the primary reason you have insurance so go ahead and file a claim.

  • You haven't filed a claim in the last 3 years

If the database system doesn't show a history of claims, you won't be flagged as a high risk and stand a good chance of getting your claim paid. Plus you'll have less risk of being cancelled or non-renewed in the future.

So the next time you have roof damage, call us at 704-989-3189 or request a free estimate.

We'll give you a competitive estimate to repair the damage or replace your roof.

That will give you the information you need to make an intelligent choice about whether or not to file an insurance claim.

 

 

 

09/29/2020

Let's face it.

Does any homeowner with a roof leak wake up get excited about spending thousands of dollars on a new roof?

No.

But when you have a leak and contact a Matthews roofing company, there's a good chance you'll want to consider repairing your roof instead of replacing it.

If you contact High Top Roofing, you should know that we're putting our name and reputation on the line each and every time we repair or replace a roof in Matthews.

So we're not about to recommend a new roof if we think a roof repair will work for you.

But what if you've contacted several roofing companies and can't make up your mind on whether to repair or replace your roof.

Here are some things that may help you decide:

1.How old it the roof?

Most shingle roofs in the Charlotte metro area have a life of 20-30 years. So if your roof is 19 years old, it might make more sense to replace the roof especially if other sections of the roof are about to fail. If your roof is only 4 years old and has a leak, there's a good chance that your original roof wasn't installed properly. Start by contacting the original installer of the roof to see if they have a warranty on their workmanship or labor.

2. How big is the area of your roof that's leaking?

If the leak is contained to a small area, it might be possible to repair it at a reasonable cost. A smaller area may also give you the option to replace all of the shingles in the section of the roof that's leaking - not just in the immediate area of the leak. That will help ensure a good color match in that section of your roof. When roof damage is limited to a small area, a roof repair should be possible.

3. How visible is the area of the roof that's leaking?

If the location of the leak is not prominent or highly visible from the street, a repair might make sense even if the color match isn't perfect. 

4. What's happening with the roofing materials?

Are shingles missing? Are the shingles curling or starting to buckle? Are a large number of granules starting to accumulate in your rain gutters or on the ground? Installing a few new shingles as part of a roofing repair is not going to be a good long term solution if those shingles are surrounded by other worn shingles that are a roof leak just waiting to happen.

5. Is the roof felt or decking damaged?

Roof felt acts as an additional moisture barrier to prevent water from entering your home. If the felt is damaged in a widespread area, your going to have other roof leaks in the future even if you repair the area of the leak. Sometimes roof decks become damaged as well and the boards need to be replaced. If there is extensive damage to your roof deck, it may be better to tear the roof off and replace any deck boards that are damaged.

6. Is it possible to repair the roof by putting shingles over your existing roof?

While most building codes allow up to 2 layers of shingles, it's generally not a good idea. Shingles are heavy and another layer of shingles could add too much weight to your roof. If you decide to put off installing a new roof by adding another layer of shingles, you will pay for it later because when you finally have to install a new roof, the roofing contractor will have to charge you for the extra time needed to tear off 2 layers of shingles instead of just 1. Finally, installing shingles on top of shingles will typically void the manufacturer's warranty on the original shingles installed.

7. How does the cost of a repair compare to the cost of a roof replacement?

As a general rule, once the cost of a repair exceeds $1,000, it's important to compare the repair cost to the cost of a roof replacement. If the roof repair is going to cost $2,800 with only 3 years of remaining life in the shingles, it would be better to spend $10,000 on a brand new roof.

If you've spoken to a roofing company and you're still undecided about whether to repair or replace your roof, call High Top Roofing at 704-989-3189 or request a free estimate today!

 

 

 

05/26/2020

If you're considering a new roofing installation project or a roof repair project in Matthews, North Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic, here is some information to help you.

As Governor Roy Cooper moves forward with opening North Carolina in phases, roofing projects continue to be a permitted activity.

That means there's no reason to delay a Matthews roofing project you might be considering.

High Top Roofing has been actively working on new roofing projects as well as roofing repairs during the pandemic.

Here's what you can expect from us as our customer during this situation:

  • When you fill out our Roofing Contact Form or call us at 704-989-3189, we'll capture as much information possible for your project.
  • We'll schedule an appointment to visit your home and prepare your free estimate.
  • When we're at your home, we'll take measurements and gather more information about your project and follow social distancing guidelines at all time.
  • The roofing crews assigned to work on your project will social distance and maintain safe working distances away from each other and anyone at your home.
  • In the unlikely event that you ask us to enter your home, we'll use hand sanitizer and a mask before entering and we'll maintain safe distances at all times.

At High Top Roofing, we take the safety of your family and our roofing crews seriously.

As a result, there's really no reason to delay your Matthews roofing project during the COVID-19 re-opening in North Carolina.

 

 

 

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