Roofing 101

what homeowners
need to know

The benefits of a strong roofing system, how your project will go, and everything else you need to know about roofing.

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Advantages of a Robust Roofing System

Safety & Protection

A strong roofing system can protect your home or from harsh weather conditions, such as rain, wind, snow, and extreme temperatures. We use the best materials with industry-leading warranties.

Increased Property Value

A durable roofing system can increase the value of your property by enhancing its overall curb appeal and protecting it from damage caused by leaks, mold, and other structural issues.

Energy Efficiency

A well-designed and properly installed roofing system can help regulate the temperature inside your home, reducing the need for heating and cooling and lowering your energy bills.

Long-Lasting Durability

A strong roofing system made from high-quality materials and installed by a professional roofing contractor can provide many years of reliable service, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacement.

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Roof Installation
Timelines and Expectations

Refer to the guide below for our expected milestones and how long each stage should take.


We want to wow you with speed, efficiency, and above all an exceptional experience. Please contact our Support teams if you ever need assistance during or after your project.

Solar Installation Timelines and Expectations

We’ll provide you with a Project Coordinator at the start of the timeline, so you’re never left guessing when or what comes next. Like any construction project, there can be unknowns. But, after more than 15,000 installations, we know how to manage them. The guide below lays out our expected milestones and how long each stage should take.

You’ll receive regular status updates when your project hits key milestones. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes – the part where the panels go on the roof isn’t the end! We want to wow you with the speed and efficiency of our process, while being 100% transparent with the status of your project.

Our team verifies site conditions, takes photos and detailed measurements, and assesses other environmental dynamics, if needed. 

After the project has been verified, the finance company reviews the file and grants Notice to Proceed (NTP) with the project. ESP will review the site survey report and confirm that the roofing installation is possible. 

Final drawings are submitted to your local municipality’s building and construction safety departments. Many cities review and approve plans the same day, or in a few days, but some cities can take weeks. Similarly, utility submittal and approval processes and timelines vary. 

Note that any open permit, code enforcement ticket or any issues concerning unpermitted structures on the property site will cause your local municipality to put a hold on the roofing permit. When starting a project, please ensure that all open permits requests you may have with your local municipalities are closed out so we can get to work promptly for you. 

Once approvals are received, your project manager will call to schedule the delivery and set-up of your new roof. The on-site work will typically take about one to three days, depending on the roof size and other conditions. Our crews are trained, licensed and bonded, technically skilled, and highly experienced. 

The local municipality needs to approve our handiwork. Your project manager will call and arrange a time to have an inspector from the local municipality come out to review your roof. This may take more than one inspection, in the event that adjustments are required.

Site Survey:
Initial Site Inspection

(1-3 Days)

Our team verifies site conditions, takes photos and detailed measurements, and assesses other environmental dynamics, if needed.

Project Acceptance
and Notice to Proceed

(2-4 Days)

After the project has been verified, the finance company reviews the file and grants Notice to Proceed (NTP) with the project. ESP will review the site survey report and confirm that the roofing installation is possible.

Permit:
Municipality Building
Department Approval

(3-14 Weeks)

Final drawings are submitted to your local municipality’s building and construction safety departments. Many cities review and approve plans the same day, or in a few days, but some cities can take weeks.


Note that any open permit, code enforcement ticket or any issues concerning unpermitted structures on the property site will cause your local municipality to put a hold on the roofing permit. When starting a project, please ensure that all open permits requests you may have with your local municipalities are closed out so we can get to work promptly for you.

Install:
Delivery & Setup
of Roofing Materials

(3-14 Days)

Once approvals are received, your project manager will call to schedule the delivery and set-up of your new roof. The on-site work will typically take about one to three days, depending on the roof size and other conditions. Our crews are trained, licensed and bonded, technically skilled, and highly experienced.

Inspection:
Municipality Inspections
& Signoffs

(1-3 Weeks)

The local municipality needs to approve our handiwork. Your project manager will call and arrange a time to have an inspector from the local municipality come out to review your roof. This may take more than one inspection, in the event that adjustments are required.

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Energy-efficient roofing means more comfort and lower cost

For the best options in energy-efficient roof materials and products, ESP Roofing has you covered. Our partnerships with top manufacturers grant us access to the newest technology that keeps your home cool and comfortable, lowering energy cost and improving your quality of life.

Warranties & Guarantees

Thanks to our highly skilled installers and partnership with quality manufacturers, ESP is proud to stand behind our work. We’ve got your back.

Owens Corning Preferred Protection

Frequently asked questions

VISIT OUR F.A.Q. PAGE

Frequently asked questions

Solar saves you money by generating electricity from the sun instead of racking up your power bill. Solar costs have fallen dramatically over the last 5-10 years, and tax incentives remain strong through 2021. You’re stuck paying a never-ending rent check to the power company for life, until you go solar – it’s the same reason to consider buying a house instead of renting one. In short, it’s totally worth it.
California is one of the top 5 states in the continental US for total sun exposure and solar potential, as measured by the National Renewable Energy Lab. That means it’s pretty rare to find a roof that won’t work. Our Authorized Dealers are equipped with tools to show you where the panels will go, and then our site survey and design teams will make sure we maximize your total solar generation.
Solar works best in direct sunlight. While the technology has advanced quite a bit to capture some ambient light, one major advantage of solar is Net Metering, where you accumulate excess solar production and bank it for days where the sun isn’t shining as much. You don’t need to worry about the solar working every minute of every day. On average, solar will overproduce in summer to make up for lower production in winter.
You don’t need to change a thing. Solar connects directly with the main electric panel in your home. It’s like having your own clean power plant on the roof that works in tandem with the power company. You won’t notice any difference in your day-to-day, until you see your electric bill dropping like a stone. Keep in mind that you will still be connected to the grid, and your system is designed to produce based on your historic energy usage over the past year. If your electric consumption goes up, your solar doesn’t have the ability to produce extra. One option to ensure you never get a surprise power bill is choosing to install more solar panels when first designing the system just to be safe.
Studies from Lawrence Berkeley Labs and other reputable research organizations have shown that solar arrays can add a healthy bump to home value. On average, a 4% increase is a safe estimate, but it depends on lots of factors. It’s important to have the solar installed professionally and with aesthetics in mind- exactly how we do it!

Homeowners who purchased a system after July 1st 2021 have the added benefit of Pearl Certification, which is a set of documents you can share with your Realtor or Appraiser if you’re ready to refinance or sell your home. If you’re an ESP customer with solar purchased prior to July 2021, you can check out Pearl Certification as part of a Service Plan at www.joinespservices.com.

Solar panels require little to no maintenance to continue operating for years. Cleaning once or twice a year doesn’t hurt. In the event of severe smog or ash from wildfires, hosing the panels off at the end of the day isn’t a bad idea. But we would never encourage you to climb up on your roof or do anything unsafe.

We offer Panel Cleaning packages at www.joinespservices.com if you’re interested in getting professional help with this.

Every solar array comes with a monitoring app included for the homeowner. Enphase and SolarEdge are the two primary providers of this feature. You’ll receive instructions as soon as your system is activated. Production reports or alerts will go directly to you.
Most solar panel manufacturers offer a 25 year warranty, which includes a production rating or “degradation factor” that states the panels should still be generating a certain amount at the end of any given period (usually no less than 80% production power at the end of the 25th year). If you follow that trend, many panels will still be functioning for decades to come.
It’s a good idea to look into roof repair and replacement as part of your solar project. If you discover that your roof is in need of repair after the solar has been installed, we offer Removal and Reinstall services at www.joinespservices.com.

Check out our Knowledge Base

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