Roofing insights & company stories
Advice, news, and community stories from Fidelity Roof Company.
As the residential roofing contractor for this project, Fidelity Roof was able to bring to life the intricate design of this new home in San Rafael, CA. The case study by Design Cost Data magazine in the November/December 2020 issue highlights the team of professionals supporting DHA in the creation of the 5,000-square-foot home.
Choosing the right contractor is easier said than done. But if you research how to pick a roofing contractor, you’ll find all the questions needed to be sure you pick someone that will provide value. All contractors say they’ll do a good job, all say they’ll use top-grade materials, and all say they’ll provide great follow up service after the job is done.
Keep in mind, however, that what contractors say doesn’t matter. It’s what they do that’s important. The fact is that there’s a world of difference among roofing contractors . . . and between the appearance, durability, fire protection, safety, and value of the roofs they provide. While the price is obviously important, choosing a roofing contractor simply by taking the lowest bid can be disastrous.
Here are some guidelines to help make sure you get the best roof, the highest value, and the greatest satisfaction for your investment.
And be wary of fly-by-nights who are more interested in selling new roofs than in recommending ways to obtain the best long term value. Contractors who are interested in selling new roofs probably won’t be very helpful – or even be around – when a leak turns up or materials start to wear.
Has the contractor you’re interviewing installed and maintained a variety of roof types. . .or just one or two? Does he just have experience with commercial properties . . . or residential properties . . . or both?
Contact references for whom the contractor has done work – especially ones for whom he’s done the type of work (commercial or residential) and style of roof (asphalt, composition, shake, shingle, tile, etc.) you’re considering. If he won’t provide you with a list of jobs he’s done in your area, be wary. Also, contact local Better Business Bureaus to see whether the contractor has a lengthy history of complaints.
How many full-time employees? How much training do they receive? Do they participate in industry and state-sanctioned apprenticeship training programs? Are the installation specialists backed by an equally qualified office staff? (“One-man, do-it-all” contractors may be skilled craftsmen, but the absence of a qualified support staff often translates to delays, disruptions, and ultimate dissatisfaction.)
Legitimate contractors are licensed by the state. They must carry workers’ compensation insurance and should carry substantial liability insurance. Check the contractor’s safety record. Take this into account when choosing a company to do your work.
Make sure the U. L. fire and wind ratings meet the highest standards, and that the warranty protects you for the longest possible time against the greatest number of conditions.
Ask to see a copy of the contractor’s license or call the California State License Board at (800) 321-2752 (you can also check through their website at www.cslb.ca.gov). Make sure of insurance coverage. Check to see whether litigation is pending or has been filed in the past. At Fidelity Roof we keep our licenses front and center on the website.
Don’t agree to payments of more than 90% of work which has been completed and, before making the final payment, do insist on seeing lien releases from suppliers and subcontractors.
Be sure you understand all the terms and language the contractor uses in discussions, proposals, bids, and/or contracts.
Follow these tips on how to pick a roofing contractor and be sure to get all answers, bids, and promises in writing before giving the go-ahead to do any work.
Putting a new roof on a commercial building is a large expense for most businesses. It often requires advance planning and budgeting. However, changes in the tax law, allowing owners to expense a new commercial roof in a single year might make installing a new commercial roof less of a financial burden for businesses.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act approved by Congress in December 2017, under section 179, allows building owners to deduct the full costs of a roof replacement up to $1 million in the year it’s completed. Prior to the December 2017 changes, the cost of the roof replacement was depreciated over 39 years.
If your building or facility needs a new roof then the one-time deduction might make it affordable. Be sure to check with your tax professional for advice.
The Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) applauded the new tax law’s expensing rules for roofs. The following are some of their statements:
NRCA is pleased the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expands the definition of qualified real property eligible for full expensing under Section 179 of the tax code to include improvements to nonresidential roofs. Section 179 allows certain taxpayers to immediately expense the cost of qualifying property rather than recovering such costs over multiple years through depreciation. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act significantly expands the expensing limits under Section 179 with the maximum amount a business may expense now set at $1 million and the phase-out threshold increasing to $2.5 million. These new limits are effective for properties placed in service in taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2017, and the amounts will be indexed for inflation starting in 2019.
In addition to expanding the amounts that may be expensed, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expands the definition of qualified real property eligible for section 179. As of January 1st, qualifying property for Section 179 includes ‘improvements to non-residential real property placed in service after the date such property was first placed in service: roofs; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning property; fire protection and alarm systems; and security systems’. Given these changes to Section 179 by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, qualifying taxpayers (generally small and mid-sized businesses) may now elect to fully expense the cost of any improvements to nonresidential roofs beginning in 2018 and future years. Essentially, any improvements to nonresidential roofs, including full re-roofs of existing buildings, now may be expensed in the year of purchase by any taxpayer eligible to deduct expenses under Section 179.
Read more of NRCA’s response to the new expensing rules for roofs.
Find out how the Internal Revenue Code Section 179 was the impetus for one of our clients, the owner of a 65,000-square-foot industrial building housing a light manufacturing company in the San Francisco Bay Area, to install a new roof.
Contact us for more information on replacing or repairing your building’s roof.
This year marks our 70th year in business. Fidelity Roof Company was established in 1948 by Ernest M. Upshaw to provide the highest quality roof systems in the Bay Area. Following Ernest’s untimely death in the early 1960s, his son, Monte Upshaw, who was in his early twenties at the time, stepped in to run the company.
Monte grew Fidelity into a premier roofing company for commercial and residential clients throughout the San Francisco area and was highly regarded and recognized by the roofing industry nationwide. The company increased its footprint in the commercial roofing market in 2017 when it acquired the assets of Excel Roofing Service in Martinez, Calif.
“Fidelity Roof continues to provide the high-quality service that the company was founded on,” says CEO, Steve Cadet, who has been with the company for over 40 years and watched it double in size since he first came on board. “While the complexity of projects and materials have changed over the years, we continue to have a strong reputation, a talented workforce, and still rank as a top commercial and residential roofing contractor in the Bay Area.”
In July 2017, Monte passed away at the age of 81. Today the company is headed up by Ken White.
The outlook for the future is that Fidelity Roof will continue as a top roofing contractor in the San Francisco Bay Area, providing commercial and residential clients with high-quality roof systems.
“We are a multi-faceted general and roofing contractor, providing waterproofing, sheet metal, and asbestos abatement as some of our specializations,” says Cadet. “Our outlook is that we will remain strong and stable, continue to grow, and provide our clients with integrity, good advice, and excellent roofing systems.”
Throughout its history, Fidelity has installed, repaired, and maintained thousands of roofs for its customers, including projects for: San Francisco City Hall; Grace Cathedral; the Japan Cultural and Community Center in San Francisco; Pacific Bell in San Ramon; Zellerbach Hall; and Lawrence Berkeley Lab. Read about the services we offer.
Concern about leaks on a commercial building’s roof is a common concern we hear, especially as the rainy season approaches in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout Northern California. If you are worried that the roof on your commercial building is in danger of leaking, act now to schedule an inspection, and if needed, make critical repairs before it starts to rain. Immediate action can reduce repair costs and avoid potential interior damage.
Here are five signs to look for that may indicate your roof is in danger of leaking:
The membrane functions as the roof’s cover. The membrane can crack, split, or shrink over time, which can cause it to leak. It can also be damaged by a tree falling on it. It’s advisable to inspect the membrane often and repair it when needed.
Flashing protects the edges of the membrane. Flashing expands and contracts depending on the weather. This can make it tear and then the joints and seams are susceptible to leaks. They can also become loose during storms. If flashings are old, they were not installed correctly, or they have been damaged by changes in the weather, then water can get into the roof system.
Many flat commercial roofs have penetrations such as HVAC units, vents, drains, pipes, and other systems. These can be areas for leaks if they were not sealed well when the roof was installed.
If you detect a foul smell in the building, it could be an indication of mold. Mold needs a moist environment to grow and that could mean that water is coming into the building. When a roofing contractor comes to inspect the building let him know so that the growth and spread of mold can be stopped.
If leaves, tree branches, and other debris clog drains, then eventually the result will be standing water. If a pool of water remains for a long time, then the roof will deteriorate, and a leak will occur.
Be sure to inspect your building’s roof and perform any needed maintenance and repairs before the rains come. For more information and expert roofing advice tailored to your needs, please contact us. Founded in 1948, Fidelity Roof Company has been in business for 70 years. We have completed over 10,000 projects and thousands of repair and maintenance programs in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout Northern California.
You may also want to read Warning Signs that Your Commercial Roof Needs to be Replaced.
There are many factors that need to be considered when determining whether it’s time to replace your commercial roof. For starters, be sure not to wait too long to fix minor issues and problems on your building’s roof. Doing so can mean there will be more serious problems ahead, including the need to replace the commercial roof. There are several signs to be aware of that will help you to determine if a commercial roofing system needs repairs or a full replacement.
Do you know how old the roof on your building is? The life span of a commercial roof is generally about 25 years. Being aware of its age and having a record of when it was originally installed, as well as looking back at its maintenance records, will help to determine if it needs repairs or needs to be replaced. If your roof is on the older side, check its condition before the rainy season to be sure it will be able to hold up through the winter.
During the rainy season, the last thing you want is a leaky roof. If you’ve noticed that your commercial roof leaks, do not ignore it. The roof membrane may no longer be working efficiently. If this is ignored, you could end up with serious water damage that can ruin your office’s interior, including any expensive equipment you may have.
Other signs of damage to pay attention to are splitting, cracked, broken, or buckling shingles. These can be indications that a roof replacement is needed. Additionally, look beyond damaged shingles and be sure to check the condition of gutters and downspouts.
Damage to the roof’s structure can cause a roof to be an environment for mold growth. If there is mold or other areas on your roof that are rotten, it may be an indication that your commercial roof needs to be replaced. A rotted roof can be dangerous, so it’s wise to get an assessment to determine next steps.
Our dedicated team of professionals can help you access whether your commercial roof needs some repairs or a complete replacement. Contact us today to schedule an inspection.
Montague “Monte” Middleton Upshaw, former chairman of Fidelity Roof Company, passed away due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease on . He is survived by his wife Joan, his previous wife, Carol, and their four children, a brother, and 13 grandchildren.
Monte took over the management of Fidelity Roof Company (FRC) in the 1960s, following the untimely death of his father. He grew the business into a premiere roofing company that gained local and national recognition.
“It is unmeasurable to quantify how many people started or enhanced their careers at Fidelity Roof Company,” says Steve Cadet, a FRC colleague and personal friend of Monte’s for over 40 years. “Bay Area roofing companies are filled with numerous individuals who had the opportunity to take advantage of the roofing template that existed at FRC. Also, Monte was one of the first in the industry to hire women roofers, many who continued their careers beyond their initial experiences at FRC.”
Monte held prominent leadership roles for numerous roofing industry groups and civic associations including: the Union and Merit Contractors; National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA); Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland; East Bay Community Foundation; Claremont Country Club; Cal Alumni Association; and the Cal “Big C” Society.
Monte was a graduate of Piedmont High School where he was student body president, and an incredible, world-class interscholastic track star in the long-jump, high and low hurdles, and mile relay, as well as a stellar prep football wide receiver. During his junior and senior years he was named the Northern California Prep of the Year and was featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and Oakland Tribune.
Other outstanding athletic accomplishments Monte achieved during his high school years included: tying a national record of 18.8 in the 180 high hurdles, and a world-record-breaking long jump of 25’4-1/2, a record that was previously held by Olympic great Jessie Owens, and placed Monte as the fifth ranking long jumper in the world.
Monte’s athletic accomplishments continued at UC Berkeley, where he studied business and political science and continued in track and field despite a knee injury that dashed his hopes of participating in the 1956 Rome Olympics. With his teammates, he achieved a world record in the sprint relay. Monte was inducted into the UC Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.
Also, while at CAL, Monte was in ROTC and received his U.S. Army Commission as a Second Lieutenant in the reserves as a paratrooper. He completed his reserve service at Ft. Benning, Georgia before returning to the Bay Area to manage FRC, and help his mother raise his two younger siblings.
Monte’s enthusiasm, optimism, and concern for others will always be cherished and greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland, the Cal “Big C” Society, or a charity of your choice.
A celebration of life, with reception to follow, will be held at Claremont County Club, on Sunday, September 10 at 3:00 p.m. Monte’s family looks forward to greeting his many friends and sharing fond remembrances of this wonderful, kind, and loving man.
Oakland, Calif. — Fidelity Roof Company (Fidelity), a San Francisco Bay Area roofing company, serving commercial and residential clients since 1948, announces it has acquired the assets of Excel Roofing Service (Excel Roofing) of Martinez, Calif. The acquisition provides Fidelity with an increased footprint in the commercial roofing market, adds to its skilled workforce, and expands its service area.
“Excel Roofing has had a great reputation for over 20 years for providing excellent service for all aspects of commercial, industrial, and multi-residential roofing,” says Ken White, president of Fidelity Roof Company. “We are pleased to welcome its team into the Fidelity family and look forward to continuing to serve our Bay Area customers as well as those in Sacramento and the surrounding areas.”
“In order to service my former clients I felt that Fidelity’s commitment to customer service, along with its resources and expertise would serve to meet our clients’ demands and requirements. Additionally, I felt that they were the best fit for my transition to retirement and was the reason I decided to transfer my assets to them,” says Dennis Negherbon, owner of Excel Roofing.
Fidelity provides a broad range of practical, proven, and cost-effective roofing and waterproofing solutions for its commercial and residential customers. Its services include .
Headquartered in Oakland, Calif., Fidelity Roof has provided comprehensive roofing services for residential and commercial roof maintenance, emergency roof response, and garden roofs for clients for over 70 years.
Throughout its history, Fidelity has installed, repaired, and maintained thousands of roofs for its customers, including projects for San Francisco City Hall, Grace Cathedral, AT&T Park (formerly Pac Bell Park), the Japan Cultural and Community Center in San Francisco, Zellerbach Hall, and Lawrence Berkeley Lab. To view Fidelity Roof’s commercial or residential roofing project galleries, visit fidelityroof.com.
OAKLAND, Calif. –- —Youth and staff at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland at 24th and Market Streets in West Oakland are getting a new roof this week thanks to the generosity of Fidelity Roof Company, a family-owned San Francisco Bay Area company which installed the organization’s first roof in 1948. Fidelity is contributing approximately 35 percent of the total cost of the project. Bank of America, Piedmont Lumber and Ford Wholesale Inc. Roofing Supplies are also making significant donations to the effort.
Fidelity Roof’s Chairman, Monte Upshaw remembers sixty-one years ago when the Boys & Girls Clubs’ original roof was installed. “I was twelve years old and carried buckets of gravel and watched that roof go up, “ he says. “We are pleased to continue our tradition of working with the Boys & Girls Clubs and providing the young people with a high quality roof.”
The new roof includes the installation of 32 new skylights.
Calvester R. Stanley, president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland says the roof was leaking and in dire need of repair. He welcomes Fidelity and other companies coming to the table to revitalize the building. “Fidelity has been phenomenal and fantastic for sixty-one years, and we appreciate that they are going the extra mile to keep a roof over the heads of our deserving young people, staff and volunteers.”
Work began on the roof January 27 and is expected to be completed January 30.
Fidelity Roof Company, headquartered in Oakland, Calif., provides comprehensive roofing services for residential and commercial clients across the Bay Area. Over 50 percent of their employees have been with the company for over 15 years and regularly attend trade programs to achieve and maintain the highest level of industry knowledge and expertise.
Throughout its history, Fidelity has installed, repaired and maintained thousands of roofs for its customers, including projects for San Francisco City Hall, Grace Cathedral, AT&T (formerly Pac Bell) the Japan Cultural and Community Center in San Francisco, and Zellerbach Hall and Lawrence Berkeley Lab. To view Fidelity Roof’s commercial or residential roofing project galleries, visit https://fidelityroof.com
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Fidelity Roof Company takes an active role in the community.
Fidelity’s employees have participated and held senior leadership positions in a variety of Bay Area service organizations, including:
Fidelity personnel have participated in community activities in the following manner. They have:
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