Q. How long has American Custom Guttering been in business?
A. We have been in business since 1991. Our first 10 years were in Tarpon Springs before moving to Odessa in 2001.
Q. How is your company different from other aluminum companies?
A. Our company was built focusing on taking care of water drainage issues only. Concentrating on this and customer satisfaction have helped make us the largest and most trusted gutter company in TampaBay. We bring our gutter machine to your home and make special sizes on-site. Our gutters are installed using heavy duty hangers instead of spikes and ferrules . We hand cut each miter so there is only one seam instead of multiple seams that are associated with strip or box miters. All of our miters and downspouts are fastened together using aluminum rivets instead of screws because screws tend to catch debris and also eventually rust. We have a 2 year warranty on labor and a 20 year manufacturer’s warranty on material.
Q. Are you required to have a contractor's license to install gutters?
A. It depends on what county you live in. Pasco and Pinellas county require a license. Hillsborough and Hernando county currently do not require a license. Along with checking to see if a prospective contractor has the proper license requirement, make sure they have Worker’s Compensation and Liability Insurance. It is for your own protection.
Q. How can I check to see if a company or person has Worker’s Compensation and Liability Insurance?
A. Call the company you are checking on and ask them to provide you with a Certificate Of Insurance naming you as the certificate holder. You could also check the Florida Department of Financial Services proof of Workers' Compensation database apps8.fldfs.com/proofofcoverage/Search.aspx .
Q. Can a rain barrel be installed to our existing rain gutter system?
A. Yes, we can install your rain barrel or one we have in stock made from food barrels. Our barrels are fitted with a hose bib and a PVC overflow pipe. They are naturally terracotta in color, but can be painted.
Q. Do you have a location open to the public?
A. Yes, we have a 4,000 sq. ft. store located at 14436 Black Lake Road in Odessa. We sell retail gutter supplies at this location.
Q. How can I keep debris and leaves from clogging my gutter system?
A. There are many types of gutter protection products available. We like a system called Shur Flo because it is strong, effective, affordable and can be installed with a new gutter system or to an existing one.
You can avoid many of the common problems that arise between contractors and homeowners if you do some homework before signing a contract. Though most contractors are honest and work hard for their living, the industry's reputation is tainted by the dishonest dealing of a few truly fraudulent operators.