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Diamond Certified Company Report

Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc.

Diamond Certified Company Report

Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc.

Diamond certified ratings dashboard
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION i
Customer LOYALTY i
Helpful Expertise i
Company Credentials i
  • Workers Compensation
  • Liability Insurance
  • License Verification
  • Business Practices
  • Current Complaint File
  • Legal & Finance
Phone SURVEY RESPONSES FROM 210 VERIFIED CUSTOMERS i

L.C.C.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

1 of 210

Quality 10
10 10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Very professional, and they do a very good job.

They are very thorough and experienced. They are very experienced in the field that they bid on.

Brian L.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

2 of 210

Quality 10
10 10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are willing to go out of their way to make things easy for me.

They were willing to go the extra mile.

Cindy F.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

3 of 210

Quality 10
10 10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are very personable, and they get right on the job.

There is good customer service and nice employees.

Read All 210 Survey Responses at Ratings View
Diamond certified VIDEO PROFILE
Diamond certified company PROFILE

Gregory Sutliff, Director, Home Services Division

Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. installs and removes insulation, replaces garage doors, air seals attics, and provides other energy efficiency solutions for residential and commercial clients throughout Northern and Southern California. In addition to offering services and products that are designed to increase indoor comfort and reduce the year-round costs associated with heating and cooling, the family-owned and operated company is qualified to perform roofing and waterproofing work, install fireplaces and decorative mantels, and more.

Home Services Division Director Gregory Sutliff says much of Alcal Specialty Contracting’s success can be attributed to its customer-oriented business approach. “Our clients are very important to us, so we take the time to communicate clearly with them and make sure they know what’s going on with their projects at all times. If there’s ever an issue with our work, we’ll do whatever it takes to make it right.”

Alcal Specialty Contracting’s staff members are trained on industry-best installation procedures, and they utilize their extensive product knowledge to help clients make the right decisions for their particular situations. “Our technicians know what it takes to deliver excellent products on time and within budget,” affirms Mr. Sutliff. “They take a lot of pride in their work, and that translates to high-quality results for our customers.”

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Diamond Certified Companies are Rated Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise.

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DIAMOND CERTIFIED RESEARCHED CAPABILITIES ON Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc.

COMPANY CONTACT
Service AREA

Northern
Southern California

SERVICES PERFORMED

Insulation, Including Loose Fill Insulation, Batt Insulation, Spray Foam Insulation & Rockwall Insulation
Radiant Barriers
Air Barriers
Insulation Removal
Attic Air Sealing
Garage Doors & Garage Door Openers

BRANDS Supported
  • Owens Corning

  • Clopay

  • Pabco

  • LiftMaster

  • Johns Manville

DIAMOND CERTIFIED RESEARCHED ARTICLES ON Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc.

An Alcal Specialty Contracting technician installs new insulation in a customer’s attic.

Company Profile

Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. installs and removes insulation, replaces garage doors, air seals attics, and provides other energy efficiency solutions for residential and commercial clients throughout Northern and Southern California. In addition to offering services and products that are designed to increase indoor comfort and reduce the year-round costs associated with heating and cooling, the family-owned and operated company is qualified to perform roofing and waterproofing work, install fireplaces and decorative mantels, and more.

Home Services Division Director Gregory Sutliff says much of Alcal Specialty Contracting’s success can be attributed to its customer-oriented business approach. “Our clients are very important to us, so we take the time to communicate clearly with them and make sure they know what’s going on with their projects at all times. If there’s ever an issue with our work, we’ll do whatever it takes to make it right.”

Alcal Specialty Contracting’s staff members are trained on industry-best installation procedures, and they utilize their extensive product knowledge to help clients make the right decisions for their particular situations. “Our technicians know what it takes to deliver excellent products on time and within budget,” affirms Mr. Sutliff. “They take a lot of pride in their work, and that translates to high-quality results for our customers.”

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Company Philosophy

“We're committed to quality and customer service in everything we do, so we always stand behind our products and make sure each job fulfills the client's specific needs. From the time we provide the bids to the time we leave their properties, our customers can expect to receive focused, professional service.” –Darren Morris, Alcal President/CEO

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Comparative Summary

Few insulation contractors earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award, which means they’ve been independently rated Highest in Quality. Even fewer can also claim more than 40 years of industry experience, but that’s exactly the case for Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. “The fact that we’ve been around since 1970 tells our customers that we’re doing things right,” says Home Services Division Manager Greg Sutliff. “We do business in a way that enables us to build our brand and make sure every client is completely satisfied with the products, services, and value we provide.”

Alcal Specialty Contracting offers services and products that are designed to increase indoor comfort and reduce the year-round costs associated with heating and cooling, including insulation installation and removal, garage door replacement, and attic air-sealing. The family-owned and operated company is also qualified to perform roofing and waterproofing work, install fireplaces and decorative mantels, and more.

Unlike less experienced insulation contractors that lack the personnel or equipment to perform certain services and are forced to keep their prices relatively high as a result, Alcal Specialty Contracting utilizes its large size to take on a sizeable volume of work while maintaining a pricing structure that’s designed to provide superior value. “Simply put, other companies don’t do as much work as we do,” says Mr. Sutliff. “For example, we’re one of the largest purchasers of insulation materials from Owens Corning, which is one of the world’s leading insulation manufacturers, so we’re able to deliver first-rate products at excellent prices.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Alcal Specialty Contracting is its dedication to providing clear communication throughout every step of its clients’ projects, from promptly returning their phone calls to arriving on time for appointments. “This type of communication shows our customers that we genuinely care about them and their time,” says Mr. Sutliff. “They trust us to deliver the services and value that they deserve, and that’s exactly what we do.”

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Industry Info

If you’re thinking about installing new insulation in your home, make sure you’re familiar with California’s new insulation guidelines. Most homeowners don’t think about their insulation very often, even though its absence can leave their homes less comfortable and significantly increase their energy costs. Even if your home had the right amount of insulation when it was built, chances are good that it’s now outdated. According to Greg Sutliff, Home Services division manager at Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc., this is because the code requirements for insulation have changed three times in the last 10 years. “As recently as 2003, insulation needed to be rated at least R13 on the thermal resistance scale, but as of July 2014, it must be R38,” he explains. “The higher an insulation’s R-value, the more effective it is and the thicker it gets, which can impact installation and retrofitting. The changes to the code mean minimum insulation thickness has increased from 3 or 4 inches to about 16 inches.”

Those are only minimum code compliance requirements, though, so if you want extra windows or other energy-spending features, you may be required to install even thicker insulation to make up for energy lost elsewhere in your home. “These new standards apply to new homes and remodels as well,” says Mr. Sutliff. “All retrofitted and remodeled homes in California have to comply to the same standards as new construction.”

There are other reasons to opt for higher R-values and thicker insulation in your home, like reducing your carbon footprint and lowering your energy costs. “As energy gets more expensive, having better insulation will reduce your costs even further,” says Mr. Sutliff. “You’ll also have less noise pollution from outside and a more even indoor temperature year-round.”

While these new guidelines can seem confusing for some homeowners, Mr. Sutliff says they ultimately represent positive changes for the outlook of California’s consumer energy consumption. “Energy efficiency in homes and commercial buildings is very important in this energy-intensive new world, and better home insulation will help make increased energy efficiency a reality.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How soon can you start my project?

A: We can usually schedule the first visit within one to five days of your initial call, depending on our schedule and your availability. Once we do the initial evaluation and estimate, we’ll schedule your job to start one to five days later.

Q: How long will it take to install my new insulation?

A: For attic insulation, it can take anywhere from four to eight hours depending on the size of your house. Sometimes it can be as quick as one or two hours. Either way, we’ll give you a time estimate when we do our initial site visit.

Q: What types of insulation products do you sell?

A: We primarily sell fiberglass insulation made by Owens Corning, including rolled batt insulation and loose fill blow-in insulation. This type of insulation is a Green-Rated 60 percent post-consumer recycled product, which means it doesn’t contain formaldehyde or borates, which can be endocrine disrupters in some environments. Our sales team has in-depth knowledge of all the products we sell, and they can provide you with the information you need.

Q: How much money will I save by installing new insulation in my attic?

A: That depends on what’s already in your attic. Your energy savings will be greater if you upgrade from low levels of insulation to a high-rated insulation, but if your home already has good insulation and your energy bills are still high, that can indicate another problem area where energy is being lost. We’ll come to your home and do a complete assessment to give you an idea of how much money you’ll save by installing new insulation.

Q: Is the insulation installation process messy?

A: It can be a little messy, but we clean up as we go along, and we always leave our customers’ homes cleaner than they were when we arrived.

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SELECTED PHOTOS FROM Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc.

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DIAMOND CERTIFIED EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR ADVICE & TIPS FROM Greg Sutliff

Expert CONTRIBUTOR PROFILE
  • Greg Sutliff is home services division manager at Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc., a Diamond Certified company. He can be reached at (877) 312-3532 or by email.

Greg Sutliff: A Light in the Attic

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

SACRAMENTO — While he enjoys both the hands-on and operational aspects of the construction trade, Greg Sutliff says what he loves most about his job at Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. is his ability to make a positive impact on the environment. “I tell people I’m saving the world one attic at a time. A big part of what we do is helping people reduce their energy usage by implementing energy-efficient methods and products. I find satisfaction in simply knowing that a homeowner who previously used 20 kilowatts of energy will only use 15 after we’ve completed our work.”

Long before he was saving the world, Greg got started in the industry by sweeping up jobsites after class in middle school. “As a seventh grader making $3 an hour, I was pretty happy,” he laughs. “Over time, I worked my way up to cutting wood and hammering nails, and I eventually became a skilled laborer.” Following college, Greg went to work for a window company, where he gained a working knowledge of the administrative side of the business. Later, after earning his MBA in Finance and Marketing Communication, he sought employment that would incorporate his industry experience and formal education—an opportunity he eventually found with Alcal Specialty Contracting, where he currently serves as Home Services Division Manager.

Greg was born in San Francisco and raised in Corte Madera, but today, he lives in Sacramento with his wife, Liz, and their two children, Emerson and Ellie. As a lifelong Bay Area resident, he says he values the progressive mindset that characterizes the region. “There’s a great appreciation for quality of life and social equality here, and yet there’s also a strong work ethic that rewards those who are diligent and have good ideas. In terms of ideology, it’s the best of both worlds.”

Outside of work, Greg prefers to spend the bulk of his free time outdoors. “My family and I love going hiking and camping at places like Lake Tahoe,” he says. “I also go backpacking with friends a couple times a year through areas like Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. Almost all of California’s 14,000-foot mountains are located in that area, which makes for some pretty spectacular views.”

In his professional life, Greg says a crucial part of his success has been his ability to make things right after they’ve gone wrong. “Anyone who’s in construction understands that sometimes things don’t go as planned, but at the end of the day, those things need to be corrected. At Alcal, our motto is, ‘Good people making things right,’ which means we not only strive to do things correctly the first time, but if things don’t go as planned, we won’t leave until we’ve made it acceptable to the customer.”

When asked the first thing he’d do if he could retire tomorrow, Greg says he wouldn’t change a thing. “This is an exciting time in my career, and I really enjoy working for this company. If I had to retire tomorrow, I’d probably continue showing up at work and doing what I’m doing.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite sports team?
A: The San Francisco Giants.

Q: Have you ever read a book more than once?
A: The Harry Potter series. I read all the books when they first came out, and now I’m reading them to my kids.

Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: Mulvaney’s B&L in Sacramento.

Q: If you could be transported to any fictional world, where would you go?
A: Either the Star Trek or Star Wars galaxy—one of those complex, panoptical multiverses.

Q: Captain Kirk or Captain Picard?
A: Picard.

Q: What do you like on your pizza?
A: Olives, sausage, peppers, tomatoes, cheese and red sauce.

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Expert articles
  • Improving Home Energy Efficiency with Attic Air Sealing

    SACRAMENTO — In addition to upgrading your insulation and installing a radiant barrier, a great way to improve your home’s energy efficiency is with attic air sealing. The purpose of attic air sealing is to prevent the transmission of conditioned air (air that has been heated or cooled by an HVAC system) between the attic and the living area below. While this may not seem like a significant issue, sealing the gap between these two spaces can have a substantial impact on your home’s energy output.

    Most houses contain numerous air gaps between the attic and living space, including spaces between light switches and receptacles; joints where walls meet ceilings; and spaces through which electrical wires, water lines, vents and mechanical equipment enter the attic. While independently insignificant, when added together, these various apertures constitute a considerable source of energy loss. When air transmission is allowed to occur between the attic and living space, a home’s HVAC unit has to work harder to replenish the escaping conditioned air.

    Consider the following example. On a day where the outside temperature is 100 degrees Fahrenheit, a house’s air conditioning unit will already be working hard to keep the inside at a comfortable 75 degrees. However, if that 75-degree air is continuously “ex-filtrating” from the conditioned space into the attic, the air conditioner will have to work even harder, which means it’ll consume more energy. By sealing areas where conditioned air is allowed to escape, you can reduce the workload of your HVAC unit and save a lot of energy and money in the process.

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Expert video tip
  • Video: Benefits of Sealing Your Attic Floor

    Complete Video Transcription

    SACRAMENTO — Sarah Rutan: When it comes to insulating your attic, there’s a key component you don’t want to overlook. Today we’re in Sacramento with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Greg Sutliff of Alcal Specialty Contracting to learn more.

    Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Greg Sutliff: Most homeowners know that to improve the energy efficiency of their home, they need to increase the insulation in their attic. What most don’t know is that air sitting on that attic floor is also a very key component to improving the energy efficiency of the home. A side benefit to insulating that attic floor is the improvement of indoor air quality that will happen once that attic floor air sealing is completed. Particulate matter that’s in the attic can transmit into the condition space of the home. And by air sitting on that attic floor, we cut off that path of transmission.

    So, with a good attic floor air sealing service, as well as increasing the amount of insulation a homeowner has in their attic, you can derive 2 primary benefits:  improved thermal efficiency, reduced costs for heating and cooling, and improved indoor air quality.

    Host, Sarah Rutan: To learn more from local, top rated companies, visit our Diamond Certified Expert Reports at experts.diamondcertified.info.

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  • Video: Energy-Efficient Attic Improvements

    Complete Video Transcription

    SACRAMENTO — Host, Sarah Rutan: If you’re looking for ways to improve energy efficiency in your home, one of the first places to look is your attic. Today we’re in Sacramento with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Greg Sutliff of Alcal Specialty Contracting to learn more.

    Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Greg Sutliff: Good building science requires a homeowner to think about two main things; attic air sealing and insulation to improve the energy efficiency of their home and to improve their comfort in a way that will yield benefits 12 months a year.

    Air sealing essentially uses a spray foam to seal up pathways for air to escape from a home. This is normally conditioned air, so heated air in the wintertime and cooled air in the summertime. Loss of air through these penetrations in the attic are essentially a waste of money.

    So our air-sealing techniques manage to cut down the amount of conditioned air that’s lost and then properly insulating over the top of that will maintain comfort levels in the home and maintain temperature levels in the home that align with how the homeowner has set their thermostat.

    And so with these two primary energy efficiency services, a homeowner can take great steps to upgrade the efficiency of their home, improve their comfort year round 12 months a year, and reduce their overall energy spend per year and save money over the long term.

    Host, Sarah Rutan: To learn more from local top-rated companies, visit our Diamond Certified Expert Reports at experts.diamondcertified.info.

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Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. WEBSITE AND EXTERNAL FEED
  • Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDS
Diamond Certified RATINGS ON Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc.
Diamond certified ratings dashboard
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION i
Customer LOYALTY i
Helpful Expertise i

Each surveyed customer was asked, “If you needed any helpful expertise, did this company provide that expertise?” To calculate this score, total “Yes” responses were divided by total responses (excluding those that stated they hadn’t needed any expertise).

Company Credentials i
  • Workers Compensation
  • Liability Insurance
  • License Verification
  • Business Practices
  • Current Complaint File
  • Legal & Finance
Phone SURVEY RESPONSES FROM 210 VERIFIED CUSTOMERS i

L.C.C.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

1 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Very professional, and they do a very good job.

They are very thorough and experienced. They are very experienced in the field that they bid on.

Brian L.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

2 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are willing to go out of their way to make things easy for me.

They were willing to go the extra mile.

Cindy F.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

3 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are very personable, and they get right on the job.

There is good customer service and nice employees.

Maxx K.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

4 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

In my experience, they are the best insulation contractor that I have used so far.

They have great prices and they handle their scope with no issues. They are extremely responsive and easy to make appointments with.

Wes P.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

5 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

I have hired them for multiple, different scopes, including fire proofing installation and garage coiling door service and installation. They have exceeded expectations every time.

They have done years of successful work with us and the pricing has been fair.

Tony C.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

6 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Quality contractor, partner and very willing to help out when needed

Very organized and always followed through on schedule dates, they were willing to look ahead and find solutions for any design issues.

Ernie B.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

7 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are pretty good.

Quick to communicate and Gabe was pretty cool. He handles his stuff.

Mike D.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

8 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Good pricing and great service

They basically provide me with knowledge and help during the bidding process.

Paula E.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

9 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are a great subcontractor.

They are thorough, quick and they don't make me wait.

Linda L.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

10 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are easy to work with and their pricing is fair. They show up when they say they will.

I have the same representative and he gets to know me, so it makes the whole process easy.

Tiffany F.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

11 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

That you will be well taken care of and well served

Ease of getting a quote for what I needed and easy to schedule, they completed the work, which is what you want.

Payton W.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

12 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are very communicative and on top of things.

They always did a great job and I never had any issues.

Pat Q.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

13 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

I have never had any issues. They do what they say they are going to do.

Good estimating and good follow through

Bernardo D.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

14 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are great.

Submitted proposals promptly

Jason W.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

15 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are prompt and very accommodating with scheduling.

Their scheduling was perfect and I didn't have to worry about it much.

Jeff N.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

16 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are a good subcontractor and a good team player.

Their knowledge was fantastic. We had a couple of challenges. They approached them head on and followed through.

Bob M.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

17 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are very reasonably priced and they are good guys. They show up on time, which is very important.

Everyone who I had interactions with were very personable and a pleasure to work with.

Dustin K.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

18 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Knowledgeable and they do what they say they are going to do.

Communication

Jeremy B.

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

19 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

Good customer service

Good communication

Janette

VERIFIED Alcal Specialty Contracting, Inc. CUSTOMER

20 of 210

Quality 10
10
Loyalty Yes
CRITIQUE

They are there when you need them. Alcal has been a part of Universal Development for a long time.

The continuance in support and their work, they are our go-to contractor for insulation. They do garage doors as well.

Read All 210 Survey Responses at Ratings View
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