Today I will go out and play Powerball, Mega Millions, and hit the tables in AC all night because all the stars have aligned.  It has finally happened.

I HAVE FOUND AN HONEST ROOFER!

It's true.  I know what you are all saying:  "There is no such thing.  It's a myth like the Easter Bunny, Leprechauns, and Elvis" (He was real? Really?)

On Friday, I got a call from a client who felt he was being swindled by not one, but TWO roofing companies, and he wanted an independent inspection to find out just what the heck was going on with his 10 year old flat roof.  Company #1 had installed the roof 10 years ago, and did a top coating last year (but of course won't warranty the work).  The client believed he had a leak in the skylight and called Company #1 back to fix it. 

They told him that his roof was just old and needed to be replaced.  So they sold him a standard fiberglass roll roof with a flood coat of hot asphalt for the bargain price of $2600!!!  (The actual retail price of this showcase is about $1200-1500). 

So, when the client's skylight began to leak again one year later, he suspected he got ripped off.  So he called Company #2.  Company #2 looked at some alligatoring and a few bubbles on the roof and told him that Company #1 lied and didn't install a new roof, just a top coating.  They wanted to sell him a new "rubberized" torch down covering for only $2000.  OK - that's a fair price, a little much, but within reason.

The problem is that they were dead wrong.  The covering was new.  I could see this by lifting the drip edge slightly and looking at the area underneath where the pristine edges of new fiberglass roll covering was staring back at me.  So, Company #2 wanted to perform $2000 worth of unnecessary work.

The skylight leak?  Oh yeah, that was a result of condensation and no drip edge or other method to deal with it on the skylight fixture.  Interior heat and exterior freezing temps were causing condensation to build up and drip down the skylight and onto his wall, staining it.  A thermally insulated pane wouldn't do this, but this wasn't a high end skylight.

So, I called in Company #3, who was referred to me by a family member.  Not believing that any honest roofers exist, I figured I would accompany him onto the roof to get an estimate on repairs and a licensed expert opinion for my client in case he needs it in what I suspect will be some pending litigation. 

I gave him nearly no information except that there was a dispute over the age of the roof and that there were some issued to be resolved.  I secretly figured he might also try to sell the client a $2000 roof!

Then it happened.  The clouds parted...sun shone down and I swore I heard birds (not just the usual pigeons) and music (not the usual stuff being blasted from cars).  The Honest Roofer turned to me and said:

"This is a new roof.  You have some alligatoring which means it may have been poured under less than ideal weather conditions or that the asphalt was too hot when it was poured, but it is a new roof.  And the bubbling I can take care of right now - give me a few minutes."

You could have knocked me over with a feather.  He wouldn't take any money, but the overjoyed client did tip him.

And suddenly, everything I thought I knew was being challenged.  So, if I seem to be trying new things or re-evaluating old ideas recently, it's because I have met The Honest Roofer and I am a different man because of it.

Not one to keep a good thing to myself (but not one to hawk soneone's services in an inappropriate way) if you want the name and number of The Honest Roofer (sorry he is honest but not so web savvy, no website) please email me and I will be happy to pass it along to you (in the Philly, Montco, Bucks areas of PA).

I will now continue looking for the Holy Grail, Camelot, Santa's Workshop, Neverland......