In a sea of roofers in the Atlanta area, it’s easy for homeowners to become overwhelmed given so many choices.  The one thing for sure that area homeowners shopping for a new roof do know is that: a) it’s time for a new roof,  and b) spring is here in Atlanta and that means thunderstorms and hail pelting on that already damaged roof!

Time to start looking for an Atlanta roofer, but where do you start?  Lee Marcum and Burt Robertson at LB roofing have given us their top 6 targets to look for in searching for a quality contractor to build your roof.  They should know because they have been running a quality roofing business in the Atlanta area since 2008 and have excellent ratings with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Kudzu, Citysearch and other review sources. Here are their recommendations:

Material Delivery: Ensure that the roofing material drop off is scheduled close to your start date so that your property doesn’t look like a war zone for days on end.  LB Roofing recognizes that the job site is foremost your home, and you don’t want a lot of building supplies cluttering up your yard. It is their practice to have materials delivered to your home no sooner than the night before they begin your project.  LB Roofing completes most roofing jobs in a day, clean up the mess, haul off the debris and get out of your way as quickly and quietly as possible.

Payment Terms: Watch for roofers asking for full payment up front.  You’re never at risk of losing money when you do business with LB Roofing. They will never pressure you for payment up front or even after the delivery of materials to your home.  LB Roofing requires payment once the job is done and you, the homeowner, are completely satisfied.

References: Always ask for at least three references from roofing companies you are comparing.  LB Roofing is a company with high professional standards, superb workmanship and superior integrity. They are proud of the reputation they have earned and invite you to check their references. They will gladly provide you with the names and contact information for three recent local clients andencourage you to call them and ask about their experience with them. Warranties: Look for companies that offer the standard warranty in the industry for workmanship of two years.  LB Roofing offers a five year warranty on our work that includes the repair of any damage that resulted from inferior workmanship on their part. The high-quality materials they use have individual warranties which generally exceed industry standards as well.

Licensing: Make sure the company you are reviewing is a roofing contractor in Georgia.   They are required to have a current business license. LB Roofing does, and they are happy to provide you with the business license number so that you can check for yourself.

High Quality Materials: All roofing materials are not created equally although to most homeowners they may look a lot alike. Be sure to check on the types of materials the roofer uses…just because he’s come in with the lowest price, his company may not be the best choice due to the materials that he works with.  LB Roofing uses only the finest materials on the market.  They recommend OwensCorning or GAF/ELK complete roofing systems.

Remember, your roof protects your home and your home protects you and your family.   Taking shortcuts and not doing enough homework when searching for the right contractor could result in outcomes that you would rather not endure.  Do the right thing, take the time to talk with companies that are reputable and have a sincere focus on quality like Lee and Bert do at LB Roofing and you will be safe and dry in your home for many years to come. To contact LB Roofing, visit their website at http://lbroof.com/ or call them at (404) 875-6222.

Like a number of siding products, asbestos insulation, lead paint and polybutylene plumbing in preceding decades, some Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) have raised a red flag to realtors and potential homebuyers. Because it has the appearance of traditional stucco or concrete, EIFS is commonly referred to as synthetic stucco. This multi-layered exterior is generally formed by applying a fiberglass reinforced mesh embedded in cementitious adhesive to a foam sheet, then top-coated with a textured paint-like material in a number of colors. First popularized in European reconstruction after World War II, contractors deemed it to be good repair material to retrofit war damaged masonry buildings. U.S. builders began using EIFS in the 1960s, first in commercial buildings, and then within two decades, EIFS had become a popular energy efficient wall system on residential construction.

So what went wrong? EIFS layers bond to form a covering that does not breathe and your house needs to breathe, inhale and exhale. In the absence of moisture EIFS presents no problem, but when moisture seeps behind the EIFS product it becomes trapped and continues to do what water does in dark, warm places—rot wood, grow molds and mildew, corrode metals, and feed insects. Stagnant moisture in the structural heart of your home is hazardous. Used on masonry walls EIFS is a perfect application, but applied to wood-laden structures, it yields an undesirable result. As in the past, the industry learned from this performance failure and responded with more viable solutions to today’s obstacles.

The HardiePlank® Solution
HardiePlank® is a brand name for a cement-fiber exterior siding material that has become a popular alternative to wood, composite, and vinyl sidings. Originally formulated to withstand the extreme climates of Australia, HardiePlank products are impermeable to the most common forms of water, wind, temperature, and rot which makes it a popular replacement material for the problematic EIFS. Unlike EIFS, however, HardiePlank permits air circulation and does not inhibit drainage. Available in a multitude of sizes and shapes, from lap boards with a wood grain texture to smooth sheets, panels with scalloped edges and cedar shake, the James Hardie line of cement-fiber products are fire, hail, hurricane and termite resistant, and lead the cladding industry in being “green and sustainable.”

Meet Charlie Dallavalle
In an era of service industry lethargy and complacency where consumers frequently experience the frustration of mass-produced goods (often cheaper to replace than to repair) and shoddy, indifferent workmanship, it is refreshing to encounter a company that still appreciates the value of customer satisfaction. Charlie Dallavalle, Jr., owner of Painting Plus Inc., learned the importance of delivering quality service while a young man growing up in his uncle’s construction business in Ocean County, NJ. By the age of 17, Dallavalle was an accomplished estimator and project supervisor, fully grasping the essentials of small business success. Upon graduating from the University of Georgia with a dual degree in Business Management and Marketing, Dallavalle applied the lessons learned as a young man to his formal education and opened his own business. A local Marietta resident, Dallavalle is an expert at replacing defective siding/ EIFS with HardiePlank and the full line of James Hardie products.

Painting Plus
A Georgia licensed general contractor, in the metro Atlanta area since 1998; Painting Plus specializes in EIFS replacement and HardiePlank installation, full roof replacement systems, and seamless gutters as well as interior and exterior painting. With their business in its 10th year, they take great pride in the fact that they have established and maintained an excellent standing with both the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau of Georgia. “We understand that to remain financially sound we must grow and generate profitable business by exceeding our customer’s expectations 100 percent of the time,” Dallavalle explains.

A critical component in accomplishing such a challenging goal is the constant pursuit of the emerging industry echnological and product advances. “Reinvesting in our company has always been, and will continue to be, our top priority with respect to future growth,” insists Dallavalle. But the emphasis most important to business growth and customer expectations is placed on recognition of current trends, techniques and alternative materials. “We are proud of the fact we are authorized installers for HardiePlank, Owens Corning, and GAF/Elk roofing manufacturers,” exudes Dallavalle.

“At Painting Plus we pride ourselves on simple basic core beliefs including respect for the individual—our customers, workmen and material suppliers. Because referral and repeat business is our core growth we strive to provide value, honesty and commitment to our customers by marketing our product knowledge, excellent service, and business vision.”

What differentiates Painting Plus from their competition in addition to their selection of cutting-edge products, according to Dallavalle, is their competency is a one-source contractor positioned to accommodate customer needs from project concept to completion. “Our customers deal with only one company,” explains Dallavalle. “Our team of estimators, Kent Pochmara, Charles Dallavalle, Sr., Anthony Dallavalle, and Eric Covington, are also project managers through project completion. We understand the importance of when our customer signs our contract; they want to deal with the person who sold them their project. We believe communication throughout all aspects of our customer’s projects is our biggest asset.”

If you are interested in having a free in-home consultation for any of your home improvement needs, call 770.971.1577 or visit www.paintingplus.com.

The sink is just too far from the stove, the trash can is out-of-reach, the vent doesn’t really vent, stuff gets lost for months in the pantry, the white templar cabinets are deteriorating, the wall board between the upper and lower cabinets needs fresh paint frequently, the white sink isn’t large enough, the side-by-side refrigerator won’t hold platters, the white laminate countertops need constant cleaning, drawer space is a premium and you can only entertain eight to ten of your friends at a time.

Sound familiar? Perhaps it’s time for a kitchen makeover. A quality, professional contractor can help you create an attractive custom kitchen that functions more efficiently and is a source of joy rather than frustration. Your kitchen can become a stream-lined beautiful room where you enjoy preparing quiet meals for family or gathering your friends for a lively soirée.

After several years of tolerating the problems referenced above, homeowner Sharon Werr decided to hire a contractor to create her dream kitchen. The results: “It’s beautiful. I have furniture-finish wood European cabinets, gorgeous granite counter tops  and matching backsplash that continue the rich Euro look.” And beyond the aesthetic changes, lie some functional upgrades that Werr says make cooking a pleasure:

The professional gas cook top can brown anything beautifully and never lose heat when adding additional ingredients to sauté.

The exterior roof vent draws out the heat as well as the greasy fumes and steam, keeping the kitchen area cleaner and fresher.

The warming drawer allows you to prepare everything ahead of time and plate on warm plates. “This should be a standard in all kitchens,” Werr adds. “You can serve everything at the perfect temperature without the kitchen being hot.”

The new refrigerator has the fridge on top and the freezer drawer below. Everything is more visible and convenient and the shelves are wide and deep enough to hold serving trays. Additionally, a bell rings when you leave the door ajar.

Two stainless sinks, one a convenient, small, round prep sink and the other a large deep sink, make it easier to accommodate an additional cook in the kitchen. Both are equipped with quiet garbage disposals, drop-down spraying faucets and soap dispensers. “The large sink has a ledge about halfway down that holds a stainless metal rack in place. Fantastic!”

Dual ovens, one large with convection and radiant heat modes and a microwave that can bake, broil or roast, can make cooking small or large meals more efficient.

The pantry walls and doors were removed and the space is now equipped with full-extension, pull-out drawers. “Nothing can hide in there—everything is in full view and is easily accessed,” Werr adds. The custom cabinetry is one of her favorite features. She even has drawers under her sink and cook top. “You know that lost space under the cook top that usually has a blank flat panel? I have a drawer that was tailored to fit—a wide shallow drawer—that is perfect for pot holders and cooking utensils.”

Werr says that one of the most difficult aspects of the remodeling project was getting started—finding a quality professional contractor that she could trust and work with. “That took a lot of time and effort. It’s good to know that there is a program out there now—Remodeling Done Right—that prescreens contractors for you so that you know you are working with a high-quality professional.”

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Photography is by Jack Tuszynski.