During this very difficult time when we’re all, in one way or another, dealing with the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, we wanted to bring you up to date with what we’re doing and to highlight some disturbing situations that have come to light.
We’re all anxious to get back to “normal” and get back to work but, like it or not, the Governor of New Jersey has issued executive orders to stop all “non-essential” construction work for an undetermined time. Our attorneys have told us, that regardless of our feelings, that these orders are legal and going against them would be breaking the law. We are still making sales calls and visiting new clients while maintaining proper social distancing – in fact we’ve been very busy over the last couple of weeks, making calls, preparing estimates and booking work for when we get the all-clear. Generally people have been very understanding about this and understand that for their safety and the safety of our crews that we need to postpone the start of any new project.
The only work we can do today (and until the executive order has been lifted) is emergency work where damage to a roof is causing a leak that must be repaired immediately.
It’s our opinion that any reputable roofing contractor worth working with will abide within these new rules.
Unfortunately, that’s not what’s happening. Smaller, less-reputable contractors have decided that the rules don’t apply to them and have continued to not only sign up new clients but also start roofing projects that are clearly not emergency cases. Often these guys turn up in unmarked vans, zip through their work and leave the jobsite before they can be reported to the local authorities.
We truly understand the needs of both homeowners who want to get the work done and the contractors who want to put food on their tables but you really need to ask yourself “if they’re willing to bend or break the law to get the job done, what else are they willing to do – or not do?” Are they using the best material? Are they cutting corners to get the work finished quickly? Will the work be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty if it’s not been installed correctly?
We want to thank all our past and future clients for being so understanding during this crazy time and we have no doubt that we’ll get through this together. We’d strongly advise anyone looking to start an exterior home improvement project to use this time to plan and to get estimates for work that will start after the lockdown finishes. Reputable, well-established roofing contractors will continue to abide by the Governor’s executive orders while shady, smaller firms with perhaps less to lose won’t.
George J Keller & Sons has been installing roofs since 1980 and we plan to be around for another 40 years! Call us at 973-927-0963 to book your no-obligation appointment today.