I probably got more roofing estimates than most, but I do a lot of research online on any purchase over $100, and so you can imagine how much I research a 5-figure roof replacement. I found Mears Roofing on a Google Maps search, and it was their overwhelming number of Yelp reviews that caught my attention. As I perused from one positive review to another, (over 60 to date!), I began to gloss over all the 5-stars and focus on the very few negative reviews. Even the best companies can't satisfy everybody, so I look at the ratios of positive to negative rather than details about the complaints. What impressed me the most was this company's RESPONSE to the negative reviews. I've seen lots of companies post excuses and even argue with unhappy customers, but Mears just refused to go there. Instead they took full responsibility for having "failed" the customer, and reached out to do whatever it took to make it right. Now, I have no idea what took place afterwards, but this alone told me that these are true PROFESSIONALS who know the value of giving great customer service. So even though they were located in Greater Tacoma, and us in Port Orchard, I felt I needed to add Mears to our pool of potential roofers.
All my research and several "roofing calculators" online showed the average estimates for the PNW in 3 price ranges of low, medium, and high.I found that these calculators did not at all jibe with the estimates that were coming in from all 7 roofers who came out and supplied bids. Overall, the calculators seemed to be low-balling the estimates compared to how all the bids were shaking out, and so all I could do was "rename" the low category to "Fantasyland," whereas "medium" became low, and "high" became medium, and of course the pricey bids I received I just renamed "Putting Your Kids Through College." So my 7 bids included 3 college educations for the roofer, 3 which paid for a nice European vacation for the roofer, and one that managed to remain on all three online calculators as high/high/medium, and that one was Mears Roofing. Note that I am not saying Mears is "pricey" in the least. I am saying their bid was the only one even close to the "medium" range of only one calculator, so either all the competition are being very aggressive in their markups, or the calculators need some recalibration for this region of the country.
In any case, I narrowed it down to Mears and the next highest bidder, and asked each for addresses of recent customers where I could go and discreetly look at their work. Only Mears was forthcoming with several addresses. The other competitor did not even respond to my request, even when telling them they'd made the final two. After that, it took but one visit and a rave review from a very satisfied customer to seal our decision to go with Mears.
We were pleasantly surprised they were able to get us on their schedule in less than a month from hiring, as well as a confident projection of only 2-3 days to replace our very complex hip roof. We opted for the 25-year workmanship warranty for only around $300 more. I figure this is great incentive to do the job to the highest possible standards because if the customer never has to make a claim on it because the work was so good to begin with, the company pockets it all as extra profit. Plus I feel great peace of mind in case I need any repairs done for years to come.
The Mears crew showed up quite early, eager to get going. I boggled at how quickly they had my old roof off and most of the liner attached by lunch time. And with just 4 workers! I heard that some customers tip the workers, but I don't agree with tipping when I won't know for months how good their work was. So I decided I would "tip" them by feeding the entire crew for every full day they were here. And they finished in just two days! The following week, Ben Mears the owner came out to inspect their work and certify it was done to GAF standards. We chatted for a bit, and he was just one of those down-to-earth guys who actually likes people. It's obvious once you meet him and all those who work for him, (Tom, Zach, Ericka, Erlan and the guys), why Mears Roofing has so many great reviews on Yelp. My neighbors have expressed to me how impressed they are not only with how great our new roof looks, but how quickly and efficiently the Mears crew performed.
Oh, forgot to mention we had them install two tube lights while they were at it, and my wife was absolutely giddy over how great they worked adding much-needed light to her art studio and our master bath. I know how the conventional wisdom says never go with the lowest bid, but in this case it just wasn't true. Mears "lowest" bid was actually a very moderate and fair estimate, (compared with all others), and in my opinion, this company is one of those rare finds who deserve your consideration when seeking an experienced, skilled, and affordable roofer with superior customer service. read more