The questions
- How will you clean the roof? Pressure washing should be standard.
- What happens to wet or damaged foam? It should be cut out and replaced, not coated over.
- What coating, and how thick? Ask for the product and target thickness or coverage rate in writing.
- How many coats? Most acrylic jobs use two coats.
- Is primer included? Needed on some surfaces for proper bonding.
- What detail work is included? Parapet corners, canales, skylights, vents, cooler stands.
- What about overspray? How will cars, windows and neighbors' property be protected?
- What's the warranty — and what does it cover? Material only, or labor too? Leaks from parapets and penetrations?
- Who does the work, and are they licensed? New Mexico requires contractors to be licensed through the Construction Industries Division. The license number should be on the estimate.
- What's the cleanup plan? Debris, buckets and old coating hauled away.
Warning signs
- A price with no mention of prep or repairs
- "One coat is plenty" on a worn foam roof
- Pressure to sign the same day
- No license number on paperwork
- A long warranty with vague terms
About warranties
Manufacturer warranties usually depend on the product being applied to their specifications and thickness. A long warranty on a thin coat isn't worth much. Ask for the terms in writing.
Call (505) 886-8732 for an estimate that answers all ten.
Common questions
Is the cheapest bid ever the best?
Sometimes — if it includes the same prep, repairs and thickness. Compare line by line.
Should I get more than one estimate?
It's a good idea for any big roof job.