Roofmax Company Profile

The Product Might Be Warrantied, But What About The Work?

Ideally, re-roofing a house should be something a homeowner only has to do once in a lifetime. But that requires the right roofing company is hired to do the job, because while the product the roofer uses might be guaranteed for many decades by the manufacturer, that doesn't cover problems caused by improper or cut-rate installation.

There's a roofing company in Contra Costa County called Roofmax whose customers say is the answer to that very problem because not only do the materials come with a warranty, but there's a 20-year warranty that covers the installation workmanship too.

Roofmax has been owned and run by husband/wife team Jonathan Aikele and Timme Aikele for over 21 years in Concord CA. Jon Aikele explained, "Due to the quality of our work, we've qualified for a relationship with GAF. They're the nation's largest shingle manufacturer and they've been around since 1886. They send an inspector to sign off on every installation we do and then stand behind it with a 20 year guarantee on our work, in addition to the warranty on the materials. It's something that only the top 3% of all roofing contractors have qualified for."

Good Communication...High Satisfaction

Homeowners familiar with contractors whose idea of an estimate is to write a dollar figure on the back of a business card and stick it the crack of their front door are pleasantly surprised at the more professional approach at Roofmax.

Timme Aikele shared the details. "Our whole initial process is completely different from every company out there," she said. "We start by measuring the roof, walking the premise, and sitting down with the customer and answer any questions. Then we come back with a 17-page proposal that includes pictures and manufacturers specifications so the homeowner can see how it should be installed. Once we've all signed off on that, before the job even starts we do a job walk with them, together with the foreman so that any production issues can be discussed and the homeowner can share their expectations."

All very different from roofers who offer only a vague, one-page contract that says only "We'll put a new roof on".

Getting It Done Right Costs Less

"We're competitively priced," Timme Aikele said. "So if you've gotten a lower bid, let's compare them together. Often when you go through page by page you'll see the other contractor is cutting corners that completely void the manufacturers warranty on the materials. So you'd have absolutely no protection, and would be led to believe you do."

Choosing the wrong roofing contractor can be a costly mistake. Timme explained, "About 40% of the jobs we get called out for are because some other contractor installed the last roof improperly. We've even been asked to replace roofs done only 3 years ago, so choosing that wrong roofing contractor has not only cost the homeowner way more money, but then they have the heartache and stress of water coming into their home."

Timme cautions homeowners to do due diligence before they hire a roofer. "For instance," she says, "make sure the license is in their own name, because some will pass off other people's licenses as their own. And ask for references. Any legitimate company should be happy to freely provide references, proof of insurance, and anything else they're asked for."

Also, unlike many other roofing contractors, Roofmax has a General Contractors license in addition to their license for roofing, meaning they're qualified to handle related items like insulation and skylights, or unforeseen issues that could come up during the roofing job, like if dry rot is uncovered.

Local & Professional

Roofmax owners Jon & Timme Aikele have been married for 25 yrs and have raised their three children in Concord. "We love the Concord area," says Timme, "--the weather, the people. And we've done a lot of roofs in Concord, so many times we run into people around town that say ‘You put my roof on years ago, and it's still in great shape!' It's a good feeling."

Their warehouse and office space on Olivera Road shows an established well-run company and it's here that Roofmax has full-time staff to answer customer phone calls during business hours.

Customers of Roofmax who received research phone calls often expressed their appreciation of the extra degree of professionalism with comments like "They were efficient, fast, and professional", "They did a professional job" and "Their quote was accurate. They started and finished on time, and they were clean".

Roofmax is a local roofing company who can offer the rare advantage of not just the product warranty, but a 20 year guarantee on their workmanship, backed by a 120-year-old national manufacturer, and accepts credit cards as well as offers options for 100% financing. And it's owned by husband and wife team Timme and Jonathan Aikele who strive for total customer satisfaction with complete, detailed explanations and disclosure in the estimate process.

In an industry known for being rife with shoddy work or outright fraud, it's heartening to find there are still some good guys out there and available to Bay Area homeowners for their roofing needs.