Geoff, Here is some information from our brochure which touches on choosing a contractor. Not all will apply but it will give you some good pointers. I must tell you five layers of roofing will be a considerable amount of labor to remove. Your roof is about 1500 sq. ft. Generally a steep tear-off with a plywood deck(tongue & groove is harder to tear thus more expensive) with two layers of roofing, can be anywhere from $300-$400 per square(100 sq. ft.) but there are many variables. Each layer rises this price signifcantly. Buying a new roof is a big investment. First and foremost, you should insist on working with a professional roofing contractor. Follow these tips for choosing the right company for the job. Check for permanent place of business, tax identification number and business license. -Ask for proof of insurance. In particular, insist on seeing copies of liability coverage and workers compensation certificates. Make sure the coverage is in effect through the duration of the job. If a contractor is not properly insured, you may be liable for accidents that occur on your property. Ask for a list of references and ask former clients if they were satisfied with their work. Insist on a detailed proposal and examine it for complete descriptions of the work and specifications, including start and end dates and payment procedures. Have the contractor list the manufactures with which his firm is a licensed approved applicator. Most roof systems require special application expertise to achieve lasting quality. Check to see if the contractor is a member of any professional associations, such as The Better Business Bureau. Carefully read any roofing warranties offered, and look for provisions that would void it. Ask the contractor what type of safety training he provides for his workers and what industry education programs they have attended. The best roofing contractor is only as good as the workers who install the roof system. Be wary of the lowest bid. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Many fly-by-night contractors below cost bids seem attractive, but these contractors are often uninsured and perform substandard work.    « less

Nancy, Unfortunately you are at the limit (two) The code was changed from three in 2004. Ths is pretty much universal through every town in the surrounding Buffalo area. Thank you for your question!   « less

Dear Larry, There are many factors in determining how long your roof will last. The quality of shingle. Typically the standard currently is 30- year shingles but if you have a older home there is a possibility that the single could be as low as a 20- year. The kind of shingle and its thickness or weight plays a role in its performance too. An architectural shingle is much heavier than a standard three-tab shingle thus tend to last a bit longer in our climate. The color of the shingle and its ability to reflect the sun's rays will also play a factor. Lighter shingles reflect the sun thus less damage is caused, where as, the darker shingle absorbs the sun and tends to weather them more. Roof ventilation is one of the most important components of your roof. A poor ventilate roof will take many years off its life. You achieve the proper amount of ventilation through venting the roof itself (exhaust) & the soffit or eaves (draw) and this is dependant upon the size or area of the roof & proper insulation. Other factors such as the roof's pitch & its location will determine how long it will last. The roofs we currently install are generally a 30-year architectural shingle. We rectify all ventilation inadequacies and install new flashing to its components and follow all current building codes. You can expect a new 30-year architectural shingled roof by us to last the full 30- years. I hope this information has helped you and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask the roofer. Thank you!    « less

Dear Len, In modern shingle manufacturing a plastic protection strip is placed on the back of each shingle so that it touches the exposed asphalt seal tabs on the next shingle stacked in the package. Since the shingles are installed with an overlap, the plastic strip no longer aligns with the seal tabs and doesn't need to be removed. Many manufacturers put a notice on the plastic strip: "Do not remove". The plastic strip prevents the bundled shingles from all sticking together when stored and also keeps the mastic above from bleeding through the shingle lessening the bond. The strip acts as a barrier. I hope this information was useful and should you have any other questions feel free to ask the roofer.    « less