Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for roofing contractors that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For PRI-Premiere Roofing Inc., the key to keeping clients happy is simple: approach every job with the utmost care and respect. “We understand that roofs are big investments, so we always treat each property as if it was our own,” says owner Agapito Chavez-Reyes. “We pride ourselves on being straightforward and following through on what we say we’re going to do.”

PRI-Premiere Roofing has been providing roofing services for residential and commercial clients throughout the East Bay since 2016. The company has the in-house capabilities to replace, repair and maintain all types of roofing systems (including tile, metal, composition shingle, wood shake and flat), and it also assists with waterproofing homes and businesses.

Unlike roofing contractors that strive to complete jobs as quickly as possible and often sacrifice quality as a result, PRI-Premiere Roofing takes the time to ensure each project is completed as efficiently as possible. “We start with honesty, even if it’s something a client wasn’t hoping to hear,” says Mr. Chavez-Reyes. “We never push our clients—we present itemized proposals that are full of details so they can understand what they’re getting and why.”

To further differentiate itself from its competition, PRI-Premiere Roofing backs each roof installation with a 10-year warranty, which includes free inspections and maintenance. “Once a year for 10 years, we perform maintenance on new roofs to make sure everything is still stable, keep track of the materials and let the clients know we’re still here for them,” explains Mr. Chavez-Reyes. “If anything goes wrong, we can install a brand-new roof for free. That’s the level of protection we offer our clients.”

What is Title 24 and how does it benefit you as a homeowner?
California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards (otherwise known as Title 24) ensure all buildings in the state meet certain standards of energy efficiency. This applies to various aspects of the home, including windows and roofs. “There are several roofing products that qualify for Title 24,” says Agapito Chavez-Reyes, owner of PRI-Premiere Roofing Inc. in Livermore. “For example, cool roofs gain less heat than regular roofs, which keeps buildings more comfortable and helps reduce energy costs.”

Along with saving money and keeping homes cooler, cool roofs can help reduce the urban heat island effect in cities and increase the life expectancy of new roofs. That’s because they reflect sunlight rather than soaking up the heat. Many cool roofs are light-colored or even white. However, roofing manufacturers have developed cool roofs in darker colors that still reflect the sun’s energy and keep homes cooler than traditional roofing.

Some consumers complain that Title 24 adds too much to the cost of new homes and renovations. However, experts say that energy savings over the life of a home offset higher materials costs. For example, the 2016 Title 24 standards cost consumers approximately $2,700 but are expected to save $7,500 over 30 years. In fact, it’s estimated that homes built after 2016 use approximately 28 percent less energy than those built earlier. That saves money and energy, which means fewer power plants are needed.

If you think Title 24 and other energy efficiency codes and products are confusing, you aren’t alone. “Your roofing contractor should be able to tell you more about Title 24-compliant products and help you find options that are right for you,” says Mr. Chavez-Reyes.

The future of energy-efficient roofing
While Title 24 and other efficiency standards are making homes more comfortable, experts expect forthcoming energy-saving programs and products to be even better. “We’re going in the direction of solar panels being integrated as part of the entire roofing package,” says Mr. Chavez-Reyes. “The models that are being produced today are a lot cleaner and less bulky, so they look like they’re part of the home.”

Q: How much does it cost to install a new roof?
A: Every roof is unique, so it depends on a variety of factors. Once we determine the specifics of your project, we can give you an accurate bid.

Q: How long will it take to install my new roof?
A: Most new roofs take three to five days to install, but inspections, materials and weather can impact that time frame. We won’t start a job if there’s potential for damaging weather.

Q: Does my job need a permit?
A: Most roofing jobs require permits, but we’ll take care of that process for you.

Q: Can you tell me if I need a reroof or roof repairs?
A: Yes. We’ll send a qualified roofing technician to your home to meet with you and discuss your project. The technician will use that information to inspect your roof and provide you with a detailed report, which will help you make an informed decision. We’ll also include pictures of your roof so you can see what needs to be done.

Q: How does Title 24 help protect me and my home?
A: Title 24 helps with energy efficiency. Just like with windows or machines, there are roofing products that are more energy-efficient, and those fall under Title 24. For example, cool roofs gain less heat than regular roofs, so they keep buildings more comfortable and help consumers reduce their energy costs. We can tell you more about Title 24-compliant products and help you find one that’s right for you.