Thinking About Going Solar?

I had occasion to receive a call from an electrician today, who was in an absolute panic, because his homeowner customer refused payment for his services, after he had completed installation of a solar electric system on the gentlemen’s residence.

Of course, my first question for this electrician was, “well, why won’t he pay you?” The electrician replied that the homeowner was dissatisfied with the finished roof work which had been performed, even though he had subcontracted that portion of his job to a roofer.

I went to look at the job, and although I am usually reluctant to “knit pick” the work of another tradesman, honesty forced me to admit that this was, in fact, one of the very worst jobs I had seen.

For example, the pipe flashings lay on top of the shingles, instead of being “roofed in”. Additionally, the roof to wall flashings actually showed bare wood. This should never happen. The shingles, which were used as replacements of those which had been removed,were of a different brand and type than the originals. I could easily go on with a much longer list of defects, but suffice it to say that the homeowner was fully within his right to complain, and I told him so.

So, what’s the bottom line? When undertaking

solar, or when performing any alteration of any kind to your roof, check references, not only for the prime contractor, but you must be absolutely certain that any subcontractors that are hired can measure up.

The very most difficult aspect of a solar installation is the roofing portion of the job, and it must be done correctly.

Raneri and Long Roofing will always roof it right.