We bought a house that needed counter-flashing for a masonry chimney. After 3 estimates, we decided…read moreon an "experienced" "third generation" "local" contractor (not David) who sold us on galvanized flashing. The job was sub-contracted to someone from an exurb (no local experience) and very sloppily done, including NAILS to "anchor" the metal to the brick and 2-3 tubes of caulking. After months of getting the runaround with the original contractor, we got our money back and decided to take matters into our own hands.
After weeks of researching materials and methods online, David was the clear winner. He provided an estimate, turnaround time, and instructions. When the parts arrived, they were in tact and numbered, including sample pieces in Aluminum that I would have to fabricate/bend myself. I was pleasantly surprised at the heavy gauge of copper. Having no experience with roofing, David walked me through the installation process over email and phone (!!!). It's clear he cares about his customers.
Toward the end, I was short a few pieces of counter-flashing. We have comparatively steep (12:12) roofs in Minnesota due to snow loading. As the pitch of the roof increases, step counter-flashing becomes increasingly expensive because of the diminishing return of each piece (more overlap, less added horizontal coverage). Given my experience with the building trades (and the price of copper), I expected to pay for the additional pieces. David sent them to me at no additional cost.
One year later, the chimney has not leaked. The large cricket is definitely worth it. It diverts water far away from the chimney so it does not have a chance to meet the step/counter-flashing in the first place. Copper is an amazing material to work with. Very forgiving, and easy to fabricate, bend, re-bend, and shape. You will not find this in any other metal (besides maybe lead, which is toxic). Not to mention the copper will most definitely outlive my asphalt roof.
If you decide to tackle the job of step and counter-flashing a chimney yourself, I'd recommend a permanent roof-anchor, harness, roof jacks, a throwaway tarp (it's going to rain and you'll want to cut a hole in the middle to fit the chimney), and a cheap radio.
I wish everyone in the trades were as honest and committed to their customers as David.