Contractor insights: Jason Totin, Totin Too, LLC

By DaVinci Roofscapes.

Composite roofing is a smart investment. It has one of the highest wind, hail and fire ratings from a materials standpoint.

One minute your roof is fine, the next minute it’s not. That’s when you need fast, clear guidance from experienced roofing professionals. Which is why we’ve created the “Contractor Insights” feature on AskaRoofer.com. This month we’re featuring Jason Totin, president and owner of Totin Too, LLC out of Wexford, Pennsylvania.

Q: What are the top three things homeowners should ask a roofer about when looking for a replacement roof?

A: First, ask about the background of the owner and project managers of the company. There are many aspects of roofing that can only be learned by experience. You want an experienced person who will be able to see the critical areas of a project and be able to plan how to deal with them accordingly.

Second, ask about the products they plan to use and specifically why they are recommending using them. This helps you understand the system. Remember to ask about the warranty on those products.

Third, ask the roofer to investigate the ventilation in the attic/roof cavity. As homes have become better insulated, ventilation is more important than ever. Have them investigate items such as bath fans that run through the roof or wall and that might not exhaust into the attic space.

Q: Why should homeowners seriously consider composite roofing when looking for a roof?

A: Composite roofing gives people the look of natural slate or tile, but with a product that is essentially maintenance free. It’s a bridge between the extremely high costs of natural slate, tile or shake, but at a more reasonable price for most individuals.

As insurance companies continue to pay out large sums of money for hail and wind damage, they will eventually stop doing this or raise premiums. Composite roofing is a smart investment. It has one of the highest wind, hail and fire ratings from a materials standpoint.

Q: What are your best “homeowner survival tips” for getting through a roofing installation?

A: Ask your roofing contractor to describe from start to finish — in detail — what the process will be like. Sometimes, we as contractors, forget that not everyone has been through a roof replacement. It can look (and sound) scary to someone who has not been through the process.

Q: If there’s storm damage involved to a roof, what tips do you have for a homeowner working with an insurance adjuster?

A: If your roofing contractor is available, have them present when the insurance adjuster is scheduled to view the property. At the very least have your contractor provide you with a written report containing their thoughts on what should be done to your roof and why.

Q: Why has your company chosen to recommend DaVinci composite roofing to your customers?

A: DaVinci has solved the issues that other composite roofing products had 25-30 years ago. It’s a durable product and their customer service is top notch. In my opinion, it’s the only composite product that comes close to achieving the look of natural products. It takes a trained eye to tell the difference when DaVinci is on the roof.

Learn more about DaVinci Roofscapes here.