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SUPPLEMENT TO McHENRY PLAINDEALER - PAGE 30 -FRIDAY, MARCH 23, H79 How to select your roofing contractor It's not hard to explain why homeowners know so little about roofing contrac­ tors. Since many types of roofing last for fifteen years or moje (twenty-five in the case of many fiber glass- based shingles), the need for a roofer may come only once or twice in a lifetime. But when there is a need, it's often imminent. In many instances, homeowners wait till they get water in their attic before thinking about a new roof. Then, there's no time to be choosy. If you're one of those un­ fortunates who's about to b l o w y o u r c o v e r , t h e CertainTeed Home Insti­ tute has some suggestions. Here are their guidelines on selecting a reliable contrac­ tor for the job: 1 . C H E C K C R E D E N ­ TIALS. Start Avith a call to the Better Business Bureau. Then, find out if the roofer is a member of the local roofing or remodeling contractors association. These organi­ zations seek to enforce stan- Window and Wall D«cor Mini Dlinds They're revolutionary, slim, topeless, colorful We con fit them to your windows in ony one of over 100 great colors. RTZ! Joanna Energy Saving Window Shades, those great looking shades which con save up to 8% in heating fuel costs, up to 21 % in oir conditioning costs. And Joanna Shutters, with movable or fixed louvers, are good looking, practical, and easy to install. Woven Woods, designed for today's lifestyle are sure to be just what you have in mind for the natural decor you like. LouverDrapes stay clean and don't collect dust like horizontal blinds. LouverDrapes keep you cool. They reject up to 75% of the heat that enters your windows. They actually lower your air conditioning costs. WHEN CHOOSING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR, check his credentials and references, get estimates, insist on a written contract and don't pay the balance until the job is completed. For more information, write the CertainTeed Home Institute, P.O. Box 860, Valley Forge, PA 19482. dards of ethics and responsi­ bility. 2 . C H E C K R E F E R ­ ENCES. Ask the contractor for a list of previous custom­ ers, preferably some in your neighborhood. Call these in­ dividuals to see if they were satisfied with the contrac­ tor's work. If at all possible, obtain street addresses, and ride by the homes to take a personal look at the roofing. 3. GET ESTIMATES. Request bids from at least three contractors to get a feel for the market. When making comparisons, be sure the contractors are bidding on the same materials and qual­ ity of workmanship, other­ wise the price will be mean­ ingless. For example, if you want a top-of-the-line roofing shingle, be sure to so specify to each bidder. 4. INSIST ON A WRIT­ TEN CONTRACT. This document is your insurance policy that the job will be completed to your expecta­ tions. Although contracts can take as many different forms as roofing shingles, you'll want to have at least the following items spelled out: • Precise materials to be used, including brand name and shingle style ("Certain­ Teed Glasstex," for exam­ ple); • Precise work to be done, including whether or not the new roof will go over the existing one and, if not, who is responsible for waste re­ moval; • Completion date of the job; , • What penalties will ensue (if any) if the job is not com­ pleted on time; • Warranties and guaran­ tees on the material; • Liability for on-the-job accidents; • Total price for the work, including method of payment and, if it is an installment purchase, amount of down p a y m e n t , b a l a n c e o w e d , number of installments and finance charge in terms of dollars and annual percent­ age interest rate. Remember, the law allows cancellation of any contract signed in your home within three days of contract sign­ ing. The contractor is also required by law to inform you of this contract right, t 5. PAYMENT FOR THE WORK. As a final note, reli­ able contractors will not re­ quire final payment until the work is completed. Common practice is to request 50 per­ cent down before the work begins, payment of the bal­ ance upon completion of the job. If total payment is re­ quested up front, be wary. For more information, write the CertainTeed Home Institute, P.O. Box 860, Val­ ley Forge, PA 19482. MM MI NO.U 1M ClISOSMMV SHUTTER NUT ft 815-344-IMS RT. 121120 VOID, HL. J Gallon $11.99 \ SAVE $500 Glidden's BEST Flat Latex Wall Paint •Elegant, flat finish •Scrubs clean, stays colorfast •Easy water clean-up iTpred latex .enamel Gallon $14.99 SAVE '500 Plus, Glidden's BEST Latex Semi-Gloss Enamel •Resists grease, dirt, moisture •Applies easily, dries quickly •Matches Spred Satin colors •Easy soapy water clean-up FOX VALLEY ARTS & PAINTS 1310 N. RIVERSIDE DR. McHENRY 385-0454 r