Tony Diaz, owner of Century Roof and Solar in Hayward, thinks customer satisfaction is what sets his company apart from others in the industry. “We have 100 percent customer satisfaction,” he confirms. “I tell customers, ‘Call every one of our past customers for the last two years, including those we’re currently working with.’ That’s a big reason people choose us.”

Mr. Diaz cites professionalism and expertise as the primary factor of that customer satisfaction. Century Roof and Solar is manufacturer-certified in the installation of many different roofing and solar systems, and Mr. Diaz is a licensed electrician who knows how to incorporate a solar system into a home’s electrical system in compliance with codes and specifications. His employees have been with the company for an average of seven years, and all have undergone background checks. Century Roof and Solar doesn’t use subcontractors; all work is done by the company’s employees.

When it comes to installing solar panels, Century Roof and Solar’s roofing expertise contributes significantly to the quality of its work. Mr. Diaz tells customers, “You need to punch 40 holes in your roof to keep a solar system from blowing off in the wind. No one is better at sealing those penetrations in the roof than a roofing contractor.”

There are many different types of roofing products, and it can be confusing for customers to determine which products are right for them and understand the complex warranties. Mr. Diaz sees it as part of his mission to educate customers and help them navigate the ins and outs of different roofing options. “The main thing,” he says, “is that we try to give customers the roof that’s right for them, not the roof that’s right for my company. We’re just as happy to put on a 30-year shingle roof as a more expensive, high-end, slate one.”

When shopping for a roofing contractor, one of the biggest—and often most neglected—considerations should be the insurance it carries. “Insurance rates have been rising,” says Tony Diaz, owner of Century Roof and Solar in Hayward, “and many contractors are ‘going bare,’ operating with no insurance at all. California requires home improvement contractors to disclose if they have general liability insurance.

“But general liability insurance doesn’t actually cover much,” he continues. “It only covers third-party bodily injury and accidental property damage, not the work the contractor performs.” Mr. Diaz recommends customers review the contractor’s insurance policy before signing a contract and make sure they carry proper coverage.

Mr. Diaz also advises customers to be aware of manufacturers’ warranties. Most warranties only provide coverage if a roof is installed exactly to specification. The contractor should be able to walk you through the intricacies of the fine print and assure you they have the expertise to install the product properly.

When installing solar panels, Mr. Diaz advises hiring a solar installer who’s also a roofing contractor, or at least well-versed in waterproofing. Solar installation requires many roof penetrations, and if these aren’t properly sealed, property damage can result. If the solar installer isn’t a roofing contractor, Mr. Diaz recommends you hire a roofing contractor to assess the life remaining in the roof, so the work doesn’t have to be repeated in a few years.

“We’ve seen a whole cycle of improperly installed solar hot water collectors from the 1980s,” says Mr. Diaz. “Installation by people without any roofing experience has caused a lot of damage, expense and headaches for consumers. And we’re seeing this again with the new, solar-electric systems.”

A roof exists to provide protection to your home and possessions. When choosing a roofing contractor, it’s important to assess the insurance, warranties and expertise of the contractor, so the roof acts as it should and doesn’t cause damage.

Q: What kind of insurance does Century Roof and Solar carry?

A: We have general liability insurance with an A15-rated carrier, plus critical coverage endorsements. We also carry commercial auto insurance and workers’ compensation.

Q: When should I get a new roof?

A: Many customers call us to do an assessment of whether preventive work is necessary. Fixing potential problems before any actual damage is done is a wise thing to do. If you don’t need repairs immediately, a professional roofer can give you a good assessment of how much life is left in your roof, so you can start budgeting for a replacement down the road.

Q: Should I tear off my existing roof?

A: Generally, yes. Removing the existing roof gives us a chance to assess and abate any damage that’s been done, like from termites or dry rot.

Q: Will my house take the weight of a new roof?

A: We won’t install a roof that’s too heavy for the building. For most houses built after 1955, which have stricter building codes in terms of loading tolerance, we use lightweight roofing tile instead of heavier asphalt shingle.

Q: Do you do slate roofs?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you do metal roofs?

A: Generally, no. While there are places where a metal roof might be appropriate, it’s not really considered a professional roofing product. If you look at any track home development or professionally built home, you won’t find metal roofs on any of them. Metal roofs are marketed to individual homeowners as a low-cost replacement roof, but they’re usually inadequate for the job.

Q: How do I know if it’s worth it to get solar panels?

A: If your electrical bill averages more than $150 per month, you’re a good candidate for a solar system. If your bill is below that, you probably won’t get a return on your investment.

Q: Do I need a new roof before installing solar panels?

A: Not necessarily, but you should make sure the roof has at least 10 years of life left before installing solar panels. Otherwise, you’ll be doing the work again in just a few years, and that’ll affect the return on your investment.

Q: Do you provide financing?Yes, we provide financing through Bener Bank. We offer home improvement loans up to $55,000, as well as

A: Yes, we provide financing through Bener Bank. We offer home improvement loans up to $55,000, as well as no-interest, six-month and 12-month same-as-cash programs.