There's a bucket in the attic to catch any rain before it dribbles down through the ceiling into my office. I caught it the first time it leaked and it came through at a ceiling vent so it didn't stain the office ceiling. I've had my fingers crossed that I could get this fixed before there was collateral damage.

No shingles this afternoon. Tomorrow morning, perhaps? And that is supposed to be a "ridge VENT," not a ridge fan. I do inspect work, but the fortunate thing about this project is that all of the workman and contractors are known to me. We have a history. When I moved in here 5 1/2 years ago I knew that I wanted this contractor to do the remodeling, I didn't get second opinions. I'd seen his work at a neighbor's when he did a couple of major projects for her. And his sub-contractors are good. The roofer is the same guy who put the roof on the garage when we built it. Now he's tearing that one off and redoing all roofs (so they match and so the insurance company won't prorate my discount, etc.). The electrician I met through him, and they've been back for several small jobs. The only one new to me is the gutter guy, but he seems like a very personable young many, and his price is quite reasonable. He was recommended by one of the roofing companies I didn't select for the job, but I think the recommendation was based upon the salesman's friendship and the competence of this guy.

The only prepayment in all of this is 15% of the cost for the shingles, to make it a little easier on the roofer when he purchases them. Everyone else will get paid when the job is over--but again, we have a history, they know they'll get paid promptly and in full.

Chances are also good that they'll get other jobs in this neighborhood, because my house is near a bridge, and there is limited access out of the village on this side. Traffic is relatively light, it's all residents, but they sometimes put on roofs and paint their houses. Quite a few people will no doubt remark on the work and I'll be sure to have a few extra business cards for any queries.

We hope to keep the squirrels out again this year. The first winter we had them running around in the attic. Little guys wearing clodhoppers, it sounded like. I climbed up around the soffits and put screen over the holes and that has worked.