The Durable Slate Co

Another professional job by Durable Slate - start to finish. The company responded very promptly to my initial call (prompted by a leak into a second floor bedroom); walked the roof as soon as the snow & ice cleared and it was safe to do so; took several photos documenting the sorry state of the existing rubber roof; and promptly ensured that the work needed was scheduled. I was particularly impressed with the efficient manner in which the company monitored the weather/temperature forecast and ensured that the work was done at the first available weather window. The work was completed in three and a half days. The crew was prompt, professional, friendly, and businesslike, and cleaned up at the end of each day (to the point that it did not even appear - on the ground, at least! - that any ongoing work was being done. Based upon this and past work done on the slate part of our roof, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Durable Slate.

They did the work all in one day. They cleaned up everything very well. They were very professional and came out a few months later to fix some broken slate. They made sure matched the slate that was already on the roof.

They gave me an estimate and I approved the work. They completed the work. They cleaned up after they did the work.

They had to reschedule a few times due to weather. It also took them longer than I would have liked to put together an estimate. Once they came to do the work, they were very efficient. While they were up on my roof, they found more damage than they originally anticipated and replaced a lot more slate than they quoted. They did this additional work for free and did not come back to try to push me for more money. I was very pleasantly surprised at this.

This time they replaced slate shigles that we had lost with the past storms. Both on the main house and the garage. I never have any issues with this group so we are satisfied and know when they do the work, the roof doesn't leak which has always been my main concern. We will call them again when it's time to inspect the roof in 2015.

I cannot say enough nice things about Durable Slate. Their work was an exact match to the 1916 era mortar on our house. They got the color right, the lime/sand/tint correct and the correct joint surface. Same for the chimney cap and the stucco work. Excellent and the match on the stucco was perfect. Total work came to $3,000. But this type of workmanship comes at a cost, and in many ways, Durable Slate is a luxury priced service. When we bought our new home in Baltimore we asked for a quote to replace the 80 year old copper flashing on the new house, as well as repair broken slates on the house and the price was simply beyond anything I could call reasonable. And after I recovered from the shock - $11k-15k for new copper flashing, some tuckpointing around two stones on our chimney, and replace a few slates on the roof, we simply couldn't justify that amount of money. (We actually found a native Baltimore slate roofer who did all of the work we wanted Durable Slate to do, but at 80% off their estimate - and the work is gorgeous.) So I would recommend them, and on the job we used them, it was a wonderful experience. But their charges in Maryland are very high and we could not afford them for our new "old" house.

The appraiser was on time and very polite. He looked at the repairs that I was requesting an estimate for and was honest about the work that needed to be done. Once we got the estimate, it was cost prohibitive to hire them for the repairs.

Very nice people, but way too busy. With patience and a ton of persistence, you can get them to the finish line. Quoted in early February for a 3 day job at a cost of $6,000. Gave the go ahead and received confirmation on Feb 28 that they would "be in touch" for scheduling. Italian village commission needed to approve plans (meet monthly), so we asked for a status update on April 9 (thinking that this is why we hadn't heard anything for over a month). April 10 company emails the drawings to us (no visit or call) and says not submitted for approval yet. Steps were not drawn according to what we originally discussed, so we followed up on that (drawings were not updated, but they did confirm our request). For some reason, the plans were still not submitted for commission's April meeting because next thing we knew, the city/commission had sent us a letter approving the plans. It was May 21 at that point, but no word from Durable. I notified them that we had the approval and was looking for a timeline. Work starts June 3. The work is not done by the guys that quoted me (even though they had sold the higher price on their experience with older structures and attention to detail), instead they sent a younger guy to do the work. Nice guy and surely capable, but he had never been out to the house and wasn't part of the discussions during the estimate/quote process. This was a little tougher job because the structure is so old. As a result, the steps were built incorrectly (our plan wasn't communicated), one of the columns was set crooked and the new porch floor had a dip that collected water when it would rain. Talked to the guy that quoted us and he came out and verified the changes that needed to be made. By July 2, still no one had been out to finalize. Follow-up on July 2 and reassurance but still nothing until July 21 when sent another follow up. August 14 received email at work that contractors were there to finalize. Drove home last minute to make sure everything done correctly. Finally good to go. Two other details: the $500 column bases had to be remade because they originally made each one with two 2x6 boards and nailed together. Contractor agreed this not only was not worth $500, but also didn't match other columns and agreed to remake. The remade bases were perfect, though. Also, I ended up rebuilding the stairs myself because they used treated wood. Apparently not supposed to paint treated wood for a period of time, but since the house is a victorian the steps would be painted to match rest of the house. Overall, happy with the final product and confident in the craftsmanship but the process was a major disappointment. As mentioned, they are very nice and do want to (and able to) get things right, but simply too much on their plate.

Durable Slate was very good at communicating and arriving when they said they would. There was only one minor hitch in the job which in the end they made totally right. Their estimator failed to notice a missing slate near our electrical service, and so we were not warned that the work crew would not work n that area unless the wires were shielded. We let Durable know about this problem and they sent out a supervisor who was able to find a way to avoid the wires and replace the slate at no additional charge. Other that that inconvenience the work was done to our complete satisfaction.

They were very helpful but they were just too expensive. They were very responsive in coming out.

They quoted us $4400 for the job. It was all done by email. The woman that was doing that was really great and very polite. The response time was good. We didn’t have to wait too long. Someone did come and look at the roof, but we weren’t there. They got back to us after they did that. We think their reputation led us to choose them and they deal a lot with slate in town. A couple of our neighbors in our current house had them and they were pleased. So we know if we have to use them already. 2.19 to 2.21 references since they had a good experience. On the phone their professionalism was fine. It was great. My husband talked to them and they would be doing the job soon.

We are very pleased with Durable Slate. They are prompt and professional. Because slate roofs are expensive to repair, they have worked with us on separating projects into smaller pieces. I would recommend them.

Two Durable Slate employees were on site 4 full days and were conscientious and professional at all times. As best as I can determine, their work was excellent.

I contacted The Durable Slate Co for a site visit. Before coming out, I was instructed to email them some information about the property, which I did. I also sent along a structural engineer's report, which had been completed several weeks beforehand. Then I didn't hear anything for a week. So I wrote them another email. I received a prompt reply that I needed to set up a site visit (which I already knew - that's what I'd been waiting on them for). I immediately replied back with several options. Again, no response for 5 days. I sent another email asking if they were too busy and if I should find another company - fast response telling me to pick a time the following morning and they would be at my property. Scott finally came out to review my building. The site visit went fine and I felt like he was very thorough. I was told I would receive a written estimate in a few days, and maybe up to a week. That was fine. 33 days later and I still had not heard from anyone, again. I asked if this was a project they were interested in working on and stated that I hadn't expected to wait a month for a response. I receive a response that Scott had not done my estimate and he is working on another project in Virginia. I replied that I would still like a quote (just for the heck of it at this point).... .....waiting. Waiting. Again, no response. So my initial contact was June 4, 2014 and here it is August 29 and I still have not received an estimate or any proper communication. This was a very disappointing and frustrating company to work with. I would have thought a $20,000 project would have warranted a higher degree of professionalism and communication. So I rated their punctuality as good, because when he actually set up a time to meet, Scott showed up. But their professionalism, responsiveness, and overall grade is awful.

They're really expensive, but their job is perfect regardless of what they do. They know when the run into a problem in an old house, they know how to take care of because that's what they do.

Durable Slate has taken care of my tile roof for many years. No one else touches my roof!

Immediate scheduling, great contact, great follow up.

They live up to their reputation and we were very pleased with them.

When we had a substantial leak in our slate roof- I was frantic to find help right away and Durable Slate was the only company that got back to me within the hour. They sent Shane Day to our home shortly after and he temporarily patched the leak until a permanent fix could be completed and also detailed several problems that needed attention right away. As a Realtor, my standards for work quality and promptness are pretty high, and my husband and I could not be more happy with the service and professionalism we received. I would not only recommend them to my clients but also my family. Thanks so much Shane and Ryan! Sincerely- Jennifer and Scott Williams

When interior leaks were discovered on Saturday the problem was traced to roof leaks. Durable slate sent an estimator out on a Sunday to assess situation, even in extremely poor winter weather. Work was completed on the Wednesday following. Prompt service, reasonable price.

Called for an estimate. Durable Slate inspected the roof within a week and provided an oral estimate along with schedule. Agreed to the estimate, work was scheduled and completed within 2 weeks.

This service provider knows exactly what they are doing with slate roofs! They know how to do it all! They are excellent. If you have any issues, they are out immediately to correct it. I would highly recommend their services!

He came out and tried to fix the roof. He cut a hole in the ceiling and left it. He stuffed it full of old rags to contain the water and left it. He also drilled a hole in the roof that leaked through and left a water stain in the ceiling. This guy couldn't do it right and the professionalism and attitude of the company was unacceptable in my case. I just won't have them back in the future to avoid any hassle. They have been prompt in getting my complaint resolved and I think they are taking the right steps to get this resolved. They came back out and fixed the situation. I am very satisfied with the end results.

Called as a cold contact with no real knowledge of the company- everyone was exceptionally professional from start to finish.

They are experts. They have been doing this for all old houses for a long time. They follow up and they are good.