Bonnie Sarris is co-owner of Sarris & MacKir Roofing and Construction, a professional roofing business that was established in 2005. The company's services include free roof inspections, gutter replacement, window repair and replacement, interior and exterior painting, fence staining and complete roofing services.

How should a homeowner decide when it is time to replace a roof?

If a hailstorm rolls through, you should definitely have someone come and check out your roof. We don't charge people for an estimate after a storm, and we don't knock on anyone's door. Homeowners should never answer the door and buy something from a fancy, slick salesperson that some company sent out. I have numerous stories about people losing money that way.

How long does a typical roofing project take?

It depends on if it's residential or commercial. It [also] depends on the material [and] the heat. When it's 100 degrees outside, our workers work slower, and we have to give them a lot of breaks. A typical Plano home, a newer one, [a roofing project] would be two to three days.

Why is it important to have gutters on your house?

I see a lot of the houses here in Texas, they don't have gutters all the way around the house. With the way foundations move in the state of Texas, you should have gutters all the way around your house because you don't want water to puddle anywhere around your house.

What's the average life term for gutters before they need to be replaced?

I think it depends on the color that you get and where the sun hits your house. Some people have a lot of trees and stuff, [so] you'll see dings and dents on the gutters and they'll start getting discolored. If you have a lot of trees around, you need to put some type of leaf guard to prevent the gutters from overflowing.

What else should homeowners know?

Homeowners should always ask for proof of business liability insurance. If your roof is four years or older, you should have maintenance done on your roof. We have a maintenance plan, and we come in and seal and caulk everything. For one year, if you have a problem or a leak, we fix it for you. It's almost like an insurance policy for a year. Also, never pay a contractor before the job has been completed. [Put] no more than 50% down upon signing a contract.

Sarris & MacKir Roofing and Construction

6010 W. Spring Creek Parkway, Ste. 243, Plano

469-931-6260

www.sarrisroofing.com

Editor's Note: This story has been amended to include the correct phone number for Sarris & MacKir Roofing and Construction.