General Roofing Company installs roofing for residential, commercial and industrial clients throughout the Bay Area. The family-owned and operated company (now in its fourth generation of ownership) offers a variety of roofing, maintenance and repair solutions tailored to fit customers’ specific needs. Specialties include composition shingles, wood shingles and shakes, composite shakes and slate, all flat roof systems, tile and slate roofs, skylights, and ventilation systems.
Owner Shane Wakerling runs General Roofing Company with the same set of principles put forth by his great-grandfather, founder Jacob Wakerling: craftsmanship, integrity and reliability. Since opening its doors in 1924, the company has completed thousands of residential and commercial roofing jobs and stayed updated on the industry’s numerous technological advancements.
General Roofing Company is a CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster™ and a member of the National Roofing Contractors Association and the Western States Roofing Contractors Association. For a complete list of services and photos of before and after work, Mr. Wakerling invites potential customers to visit www.generalroof.com.
“We’re a forward-thinking company that integrates history and experience with new technology. We’ve worked hard to create a professional, well-run organization, and our loyal clients are proof of our success. Our dedication to quality workmanship and excellent customer service has allowed us to offer premier roofing services for 100-plus years.”
If you’re unfamiliar with the roofing process, ask your contractor to educate you.
Michael Wakerling, owner of General Roofing Company, suggests people find out if their roofer uses quality materials. Cheap shingles cost only marginally less than quality ones, he says, so the decision to use them is hard to justify.
Some contractors use OSB (oriented strand board) instead of plywood, because it runs $5 cheaper and could save $500 on a roofing bill. Before you agree to OSB, Mr. Wakerling suggests you ask your contractor to review the pros and cons (OSB loses its waterproof quality when the surface is cut, for example).
Mr. Wakerling suggests you take other precautions as well. Check that any contractor you consider hiring is licensed and insured, and ask them to produce certificates of coverage that come from the insurance company. He also advocates using a company that’s been in business a long time—at least 20 years, he says, which is the life expectancy of a general roof.
Mr. Wakerling advises to work with a contracting company with whom you share a comfortable connection. He also warns against shopping solely based on price. “There will always be someone who wants to give it to you cheaper. Sometimes it’s legitimate, but often there’s a reason for that price difference.”
Founded in 1924 by Jacob Wakerling, General Roofing Company is a family-owned business built on the principles of craftsmanship, integrity and reliability. Jacob Wakerling's grandson, current owner Michael Wakerling, runs the company under those same fundamental principles.
Mr. Wakerling maintains that every customer deserves superior quality roofing and an easy, trouble-free process. He says his business regards itself as a "forward thinking company with traditional business values" that combines cutting-edge technology with an old-style approach to customer service.
General Roofing Company's team is committed to finding the best roof that works for its clients' homes. Though its prices are competitive, the company refuses to compromise quality in order to keep its bids low, says Mr. Wakerling. "We pay attention to the smallest details of every job, because we believe that's how roofing work should be performed."
All General Roofing Company's employees must pass a background check, and its installation crew undergoes monthly training and weekly safety training sessions. The company also conducts monthly meetings during which employees learn about new products and technologies or concentrate on areas of improvement.
Honesty is a paramount value at General Roofing Company, says Mr. Wakerling. "We keep our promises when it comes to finishing work, and we continue until the job is done correctly."