Century Roof and Solar specializes in installing roofs with a systems approach, paying special attention to ensure all components of a roof and solar system are designed to work together. As an installer of photovoltaic (PV) solar roof systems, the Hayward-based company’s goal is to permanently reduce or eliminate clients’ electric bills.
Owner Tony Diaz has more than three decades of experience in the roofing industry—he’s factory-certified on many roof and solar systems and is qualified to assemble and build composition, tile, shake, shingle, and PV solar-integrated roof tiles. Mr. Diaz holds the coveted NABCEP certification (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) and is a continued education provider for NABCEP.
In 2007, Century Roof and Solar received an exclusive certification from the Tile Roof Institute to improve national roof tile application. Century is also a Master Elite Certified installer for GAF products and has won the GAF Excellence Award the past 14 years in a row. The company invites each client to “enjoy your solar roof on us,” with zero percent interest financing during the first six months of a new roof and/or PV solar system installation.
“Since 1996, we have worked hard to deliver high-quality roofs and/or solar assemblies to all our customers. We believe one roofing/solar project should lead to another through referrals of satisfied customers. Our customers drive our business. We realize how important it is to keep them happy, and we do our best to take care of even the smallest requests. We stand behind every roof and energy system we install.”
When shopping for a roofing contractor, one of the biggest—and often most neglected—considerations should be the insurance it carries.
“Insurance rates have been rising,” says Tony Diaz, owner of Century Roof and Solar in Hayward, “and many contractors are ‘going bare,’ operating with no insurance at all. California requires home improvement contractors to disclose if they have general liability insurance.
“But general liability insurance doesn’t actually cover much,” he continues. “It only covers third-party bodily injury and accidental property damage, not the work the contractor performs.” Mr. Diaz recommends customers review the contractor’s insurance policy before signing a contract and make sure they carry proper coverage.
Mr. Diaz also advises customers to be aware of manufacturers’ warranties. Most warranties only provide coverage if a roof is installed exactly to specification. The contractor should be able to walk you through the intricacies of the fine print and assure you they have the expertise to install the product properly.
When installing solar panels, Mr. Diaz advises hiring a solar installer who’s also a roofing contractor, or at least well-versed in waterproofing. Solar installation requires many roof penetrations, and if these aren’t properly sealed, property damage can result. If the solar installer isn’t a roofing contractor, Mr. Diaz recommends you hire a roofing contractor to assess the life remaining in the roof, so the work doesn’t have to be repeated in a few years.
“We’ve seen a whole cycle of improperly installed solar hot water collectors from the 1980s,” says Mr. Diaz. “Installation by people without any roofing experience has caused a lot of damage, expense and headaches for consumers. And we’re seeing this again with the new, solar-electric systems.”
A roof exists to provide protection to your home and possessions. When choosing a roofing contractor, it’s important to assess the insurance, warranties and expertise of the contractor, so the roof acts as it should and doesn’t cause damage.
Tony Diaz, owner of Century Roof and Solar in Hayward, thinks customer satisfaction is what sets his company apart from others in the industry. "We have 100 percent customer satisfaction," he confirms. "I tell customers, ‘Call every one of our past customers for the last two years, including those we're currently working with.' That's a big reason people choose us."
Mr. Diaz cites professionalism and expertise as the primary factor of that customer satisfaction. Century Roof and Solar is manufacturer-certified in the installation of many different roofing and solar systems, and Mr. Diaz is a licensed electrician who knows how to incorporate a solar system into a home's electrical system in compliance with codes and specifications. His employees have been with the company for an average of seven years, and all have undergone background checks. Century Roof and Solar doesn't use subcontractors; all work is done by the company's employees.
When it comes to installing solar panels, Century Roof and Solar's roofing expertise contributes significantly to the quality of its work. Mr. Diaz tells customers, "You need to punch 40 holes in your roof to keep a solar system from blowing off in the wind. No one is better at sealing those penetrations in the roof than a roofing contractor."
There are many different types of roofing products, and it can be confusing for customers to determine which products are right for them and understand the complex warranties. Mr. Diaz sees it as part of his mission to educate customers and help them navigate the ins and outs of different roofing options. "The main thing," he says, "is that we try to give customers the roof that's right for them, not the roof that's right for my company. We're just as happy to put on a 30-year shingle roof as a more expensive, high-end, slate one."
