Frequently Asked Questions

We are a full-service exterior remodeling and roofing company, specializing in roofing, gutters, siding, windows, doors, carpentry, masonry, and softwashing (roof & exterior cleaning). Our team is ready to help you deal with everything from small exterior repairs to full-scale exterior replacements, and we serve both commercial and residential customers.

We are proud to provide services for homes and businesses throughout the Baltimore Metro Area, including Annapolis.

Yes, we are fully licensed, bonded, and insured to operate in Maryland, and we carry all necessary insurance for your protection and peace of mind. Fick Bros. provides current copies of the Certificates of Insurance (COI) to our customers whenever a new contract is purchased.

The Fick Family has a roofing legacy that dates to 1915, meaning we have been serving our community for over 110 years. The current family corporation, Fick Bros. Roofing & Exterior Remodeling Company, has been in business since 1949.

Yes, you can get a free, no-obligation estimate for any roofing, siding, window, softwash, or any other exterior project or service that we offer. Simply contact our office to schedule an appointment time that is convenient for you.

Absolutely – we back our work with a comprehensive workmanship guarantee. Our materials are also backed by exceptional manufacturer warranties.

Yes, we are certified and trained by several different manufacturers, including CertainTeed & Carlisle, to name two of the premier manufacturers in the roofing industry. We are also an approved contractor with the CSSB (Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau). Not to mention an affiliate of SoftWash Systems, where we are trained and authorized as a professional roof and exterior cleaning company. Additionally, we are a Marvin Windows & Doors Authorized Replacement Contractor (ARC).

We have a trained team of highly experienced craftsmen who run our crews and take extreme pride in their workmanship. We have over a century of family tradition and experience, which we combine with modern techniques and the highest quality materials. We’re proud to be family-owned and operated, and our dedicated team is committed to earning our customers’ absolute satisfaction. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our many repeat customers and in our numerous positive reviews. Check out our page at Guild Quality, where we are a 15-time Guild Master Award Winner. Or check us out on the Better Business Bureau, where we have an A+ rating.

Yes, we offer comprehensive roof and exterior remodeling services for homes and businesses.

We work with a complete range of roofing materials and systems, including shingles, slate, metal, tile, cedar, etc. We also work on many types of flat roofing assemblies, including asphalt and single-ply materials such as EPDM, TPO, and PVC.

Typically, for asphalt shingles, it’s good to start preparing for a roof replacement when you start noticing cracked or loose shingles, dark streaks, and shingle granules in the gutters. Roofing that is nearing the end of its anticipated lifespan (generally about 20-25 years) is also a good candidate for a full replacement. For slate roofs, the life expectancy varies greatly depending on the type of slate installed and the quarry it originated from. Some slates will last well over 100 years, while others may only reach 50 or 60 years. However, most roof systems can be extended for several years with proper maintenance and service. Furthermore, many premium shingle roof systems today are designed to exceed the typical 20-year period, and if installed properly, will have a life expectancy of up to 50 years. The best way to determine the condition of your existing roof is to have our estimating team out for a free evaluation to assess the condition and make a recommendation based on our findings. Many times, we can recommend repairs to extend the roof’s life expectancy and avoid a total replacement.

Most residential asphalt shingle roof replacements can be completed in one to two days, as long as the weather cooperates and there are no unforeseen structural problems. However, Fick Bros often takes extra steps that no other contractors do to ensure a proper roof installation. For example, the flashings are typically the most critical part of the roof system for keeping water from entering your home and require the most attention to detail. Fick Bros. takes measures such as temporarily removing the existing siding along façade areas that meet the roof. This extra step ensures the flashings are installed to the required heights. After the flashing is installed, the siding is reinstalled to its original condition. If the siding is not removed, the flashing often must be cut down to fit under the siding. This “shortcut” can lead to leaks now or at a later point in time. This is just one example of many that Fick Bros performs to make sure the roof system is installed properly.

After you sign your contract with our team and the deposit is submitted, your paperwork will be reviewed and signed by the owner, Patrick Fick. You will then receive a copy of the ratified contract along with a letter including your anticipated start date and a complete list of items to prepare for your project. We will perform the job in accordance with the proposal, which fully details the replacement process step by step. We supply all materials and equipment needed to perform the work. Any necessary changes to the contract would be presented to the property owner for approval. When we are finished with the installation, you will have the opportunity for a final walk-through with your project manager to make sure everything was performed as sold, and we meet your satisfaction. A final invoice will be sent via email and/or mail to the address on file. Once the project is fully complete and paid, you will receive the associated workmanship guarantees and applicable manufacturer warranty documents.

We install high-quality, energy-efficient windows and exterior doors made from materials such as wood and fiberglass. We provide a range of styles, including casement, double-hung, slider, bay window, and many other options. Fick Bros is an Authorized Replacement Contractor (ARC) for Marvin Windows and Doors. Marvin is the industry leader, provides the highest quality products available, and sets the standard for all other window and door manufacturers. We typically do not install vinyl windows, as vinyl windows are often subject to bending, warping, and failing over time. We look to provide a product, like wood and fiberglass, that matches our level of quality workmanship and offers a better long-term alternative for our customers.

Yes, we often perform partial siding repairs. In fact, our carpentry teams are particularly skilled at matching up old siding and making the repair look like the original style and design of the property. We work with all types of siding materials and styles, including wood lap, cedar, fiber cement (Hardie), vinyl, aluminum, custom milled, historic, and so on.

The team at Fick Bros. is experts in the repair and replacement of all types of gutters and downspouts. We work with K-Style or OG, half-round, box, and custom-fabricated.  We work with all types of gutter materials, such as copper, aluminum, steel, zinc, painted, and more. We can provide the standard roll-formed seamless gutters with hidden hangers, or shop-fabricated gutter systems custom-made in our sheet metal shop and designed for your home. We also install Nordic Gutters, which are prefinished steel and are the strongest and longest-lasting hanging gutter option we provide.

Yes, we can assist with assessing and documenting storm damage for your insurance claim. We have a great deal of experience working with insurance companies and know what details to include to help facilitate your claim. However, we are not “storm chasers”. We will not come knocking on your door, claiming that your roof requires replacement, and promise to handle your insurance claim start to finish without the property owner’s involvement. Our typical insurance projects are with homeowners and businesses that approach us and ask Fick Bros to work hand in hand with the insurance at the guidance of the property owner. Then we all work together to complete the project and restore the damage to its original or even better than original condition.

No, in fact, very few leaks are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Nearly all leaks are a result of poor workmanship. Most manufacturers have developed outstanding materials and application systems that have been tested and proven for many decades. And, when a leak occurs, it is usually because something in the system was not properly installed in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. That said, manufacturers are not perfect, and in some instances, the material or system could be the cause of the failure. If the situation warrants, the manufacturer will send a representative out to the property and will perform an inspection and testing to determine the applicable coverage for the repair, if any. The best way to figure out the cause of the leak is to have one of Fick Bros’ experienced estimators out for a free evaluation of the conditions and receive recommendations on how best to proceed.

That said, when shopping for a new roof system, you should always start by finding the best installer. A properly installed roof will always outlast a poorly installed roof, even if it is the same material and the same manufacturer’s roof system. The long-term performance and value of the roof system depend on the quality of the installation and attention to detail. Fick Bros installed roof systems routinely outlast manufacturer life expectancies.

Fick Bros has performed many emergency repairs for customers in need, and we take pride in helping others when a disaster occurs. It is important to understand that most repairs, particularly on steep roofs, cannot be safely performed in poor weather conditions. Often, the weather event needs to end before the roof can be safely accessed. At that point, we will temporarily repair the roof or exterior to prevent further damage. When extreme weather is expected, our teams are often prepared and ready to serve our customers. It should also be noted that Fick Bros maintains a large customer base of annual maintenance agreements. Customers on the maintenance program are given a higher priority response during emergency situations. That is just one benefit of joining our annual maintenance program.