[jlsch1]

1. Ask if they use nail guns or hand nail it.
Hand nailing shingles is better and usually these crews use to charge
on average $10 more a square. The crews usually more detailed also.
Nail gun sometimes the gun don't shoot the nail all the way down.
These crews tend to work faster and not as detailed.

2. Ask for references

3. If reroof make sure they tear off old material.
Now you can reuse the felt.
Just if you renail over old shingles your asking for problems.
If you got leaks 9 out of 10 it is from a penetration in the roof which
won't get fixed if you reshingle over existing shingles. Stupid Stupid Stupid. Paying alot of money for material why risk it.

4. I would stick with someone local. Storm chasers move around way too
much and take forever to get small problems fixed.

5. Go to a roofing material house in your area and ask them for
suggestions of who decent. I use to be straight up with people who came in the location I managed. These guys usually give you some decent
names. I think you got Louisiana Roofing and Shelter in your market.

6. Stick with major brands of roofing Tamko, Atlas, GAF,Certainteed or hate to say it Owens Corning. OC just left bad taste in my mouth when I sold them due to the granules which protect the shingles from deteriation would fall off way too easy. They usually make shingles for this market. Big problem is when you get IKO shingles made in midwest and not designed for this market. Some of those cheap idiots will put that on homes down here and the shingles won't last. I actually had some cheap unethical roofers ask me to bring this stuff in. No way.

Owens Corning- plants Houston, Memphis, Dallas
Atlas- Meridian probably Dangerfield, Tx for Lafayette Market
Tamko- should be coming from Dallas for Lafayette area
GAF- Dallas and Mobile
Certainteed- Shreveport or around Atlanta Georgia

Don't accept Owens Corning coming from Midwest (Minnesota) shingle won't last in this market. Nationwide companies did this during hurricane gustave to get rid of inventory at slower moving location. Shingle will not hold up in this market due to not made for this market.

7. If you can afford 30 year go for it.
20 year 3-tab really might get 10 years if your lucky.
25 year 3-tab where I would start due to they contain copper to cut down of algae which 20 years don't have except maybe Tamko.
30 or 35 yr just a marketing ploy if you can afford it the best way to
go.

8. Don't be cheap change out stacks, vents, ridge vents, etc. Cheaper to
to do it now why your ripping up your roof than later. Why keep
used stuff on a new roof. This probably where your leaks are coming
from anyway. Yes, go ahead and change your drip edge don't make
since to skimp on this either.

9. If you want extra protection you can use ice & water shield on edges
and valleys. Up to you on this due to we just don't have snow build
up. If you pitch is less than 4 on 12 then yes you need the extra
protection. If 4 on 12 or more depends on what you want.

10.Alot of these guys will use 20 year as capping on a 30 year roof instead of capping which will last as long as the roof. Usually done on new construction due to builder cutting cost and says well roof won't last that long with hurricanes or hail storms. Bottom line if you expect to not change your 30 year roof out if you go that route then atleast go with 25 year for capping or mfg brand capping which will be as thick and should last as long.

11. Why why why do people like that stupid Atlas V-tile. Looks nice that about it. Sold alot of it and raised my margins so I cannot complain. Again more for looks than structural purpose.