by Guest » Wed Aug 19, 2009 01:43 pm
My husband ans I signed a contract saying we would hire this roofing company if our insurance deemed that we need a new roof. I called our insurance agent and filled a claim, I called and set up appointment with adjuster, when adjuster called roofing salesman he said he couldn't make appointment. Now this is my question the roofer is coming to meet me today at lunch and he told me the contract we signed intitles him to the entire check insurance gave us. We don't even have a quote for the work from him. He says he doesn't need to give one since we signed contract. No work has been done at this time. Can we cancel contract?
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 02:31 am Post Subject: One of those "Roofers"
In most situations I have run into, Homeowners are unfamilliar with the "next step". We offer our services to ensure that the insurance adjusters give a fair evaluation and note all of the damage that we observed during the preliminary inspection. Many adjusters are very knowledgable, while other adjusters, especially in storm situations, are sent out with limited hands on training, fear of heights, and a supersonic eye to deny claims from the ground or ladder never once stepping foot on your roof.
The other statement that "roofers raise insurance prices" is bogus. The insurance adjusters set the total value of the roof and the roofing company works within that cost. You are all welcome to slap on a roof for half price by the lowest bidder with no warranty and makeshift roofing crews just so you can pocket a little extra cash, but reputable crews are fully aware of what there talents are worth. They do this job day in and out and are paid accordingly. Most of the cheaper companys get their crews from labor pools... yard work one day, roofing the next.. But its your home, you choose between a little spending cash or piece of mind.
I must exclaim, most homeowners appreciate our turnkey services and are glad they don't have to deal with the frustration, or fear the possability of the insurance adjuster mis-measuring their roof or under estimating their shingle value.
My strongest recommendation for those of you on the fence is... choose a reputable company BBB rated with insurance and a physical address. Understand that the roofer is entitled and has earned compensation for his time, gas, effort, knowledge, and attentiveness to your needs. Just as you would pay a travel agent to book your flights, hotels, and transportation to an all inclusive vacation.
Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 12:12 am Post Subject: My situation
Hi All,
I just stumbled on this thread and thought I'd share my experience. I was made aware from a neighbor that there was a hail storm that came through our area last summer that left alot of neighborhood roofs damaged. I had a roofer come out and assess the damage. I signed a contract figuring I really had nothing to lose if the claim was denied....and a new roof to gain if approved. I filed a claim, set up a meeting with the adjuster, the roofer, and myself. The adjuster was extremely easy to work with and very agreeable. The roofer put together an estimate(which I never saw) and submitted to adjuster. I asked for a copy of the estimate from my adjuster and he faxed it to me....17K for 28.8 square tear off and installation. The adjuster indicated that he was going to pay off the estimate, but suggested I get another quote as he thought it was high. I set up another estimate by a local reputable company and the quote came back at 6,400.00. I met with roofer 1 and he was in dismay at first, but then started backpeddling saying I may have never gotten the claim approved had he not been there. The two quotes were over 10K apart.....I told him that I thought it was criminal. He said he'd talk to his boss, but reminded me that I had signed a contract. Not sure how this is going to turn out, but I'd like to hear an answer to the posters original question about the chances of getting out of this contract.
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 09:11 am Post Subject:
Contractors come in all varieties. Many are reputable and trustworthy. Some you woudn't want to be in the same county with. But you have to compare prices and services. Some roofers will low-ball the competition and conveniently leave "clean up" out of their contract.
When I demo'd my entire roof two years ago in preparation for a major remodel, the demo contractor left the lot so clean, you wouldn't have known there had been a 5' high pile of scrap lumber and shingles in the yard while he waited two days for the dumpster to be delivered. But the roofing contractor didn't want to do any clean up. I told him, "No clean up, no contract." So he grudgingly included it in the same bid. I agreed to pay for the dumpster ($150).
The problem with signing a contract is the fact that your signature is evidence that you agreed to the terms.
You can get an estimate without having to sign a contract. You can get a dozen estimates without being obligated to any of them. You'll find contractors who think their work is worth its weight in gold, and others who do better work for practically nothing because they'd rather be busy than rich. I gladly gave my assorted jobs to them -- they came with glowing recommendations.
I did about 3000 square feet of new roof (30 "squares"), concrete S-tile, for $6400 including materials of my choosing. Highest estimate was $15,000 + materials! And the roof is beautiful! Who knows what I would have gotten for $15,000+?
From the original post:
We don't even have a quote for the work from him. He says he doesn't need to give one since we signed contract.
Apparently the contractor was willing to do the job for whatever the insurance company was willing to pay. Even if the check was for $1.
Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 01:09 am Post Subject: roofing contract
I am dealing with a similar situation. I was told that wind damage had damaged my roof. I contacted a roofing contractor and signed a contract. I was verbally told that the contract was only if they agreed to pay for the entire roof. The insurance company reivewed the damage and decided to pay for 1/2 of the house and the entire garage. The roofing contractor saw the estimate from the insurance company and has given me 3 different numbers now as to what it would cost to do the remaining portions. I am planning on getting an estimate from two more roofers this week and truely get a sense of what it would actually cost to get my roof done.
I agreed to pay my deductable in exchange for my entire roof being replaced, this was providing the insurance company would pay the remaining balence. Now I am not getting an entire roof, and I am having to pay more than my deductable. In truth, I did this wrong, signing a contract prior to getting a written estimate, however I feel that this person is taking advantage of my honesty.
Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 02:42 pm Post Subject:
In truth, I did this wrong, signing a contract prior to getting a written estimate, however I feel that this person is taking advantage of my honesty.
And you were duped by his "honesty". Perhaps your state's contractor laws have something to say about the validity of such a contract.
It boggles my mind that when it comes to insurance, claims, and contractors or lawyers, people do things in exactly the wrong order.
They rush to find a contractor or lawyer long before they know what the insurance company will do for them. They sign legally binding contracts before they read and understand what they have obligated themselves to do. And people don't read their insurance contracts either (it's just a policy, right?).
Certainly, if a pipe suddenly bursts in the middle of the night, a phone call to a plumber may be the first call one makes. But when a roof is damaged by wind, unless it's completely torn off, why would anyone think the insurance company will pay for anything other than the damaged part? No policy says "If a few shingles are blown off by wind, we'll gladly pay to replace all of them."
But they sign a contract with a roofing contractor that says, "I agree to pay Jones Roofing Company $20,000 to replace my roof." And the contractor says, verbally, "You'll only have to pay me your $500 deductible." Everyone assumes the insurance company will be paying the cost to replace the entire roof. What the insurance company decides to pay for and what the contract obligates the homeowner to do are TWO DIFFERENT CONTRACTS.
(In personal injury cases, people rush to lawyers in the mistaken belief that the insurance company will try to cheat them. Once they sign the contract with the lawyer, the insurance company has no choice but to deal with the attorney. That usually leads to attorneys making money and insureds feeling like the insurance company cheated them. And the myth is perpetuated.)
To protect yourself in the future, don't sign anything before you've talked to your insurance company and determine what is, or is not, covered, and to what extent the insurance will pay the claim. Then feel free to sign any contract of your choosing according to the information you have.
Many insurance companies will provide you with a contractor they have done business with in the past to perform the repairs, and will guarantee the work performed. Saves you the trouble of having to interview one or two or three or fifty contractors. Price is a concern, but not the only basis of a decision on whom to employ.
Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 03:41 pm Post Subject: similar situation
I'm in a similar situation as others. I signed a contract without a quote attached. When I called on the third day i was told i was only obligated if they negotiated the full price with the adjuster so i decided not to cancel (for some stupid reason.) The roofer was unavailable and the adjuster came. Still trying to find out what I'll be getting back but I'm concerned I'm on the hook. Am I in the same boat if no price is attached? I'm in AZ, by the way.
Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 05:01 pm Post Subject:
Probably.
I fail to understand what people are thinking when they sign a blank document, such as a home repair contract.
Would you give someone a blank check and not be concerned about how much they might write it for?
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 10:09 pm Post Subject: Re:
Supplier of metal roofing, standing seam, steel roofing, aluminum roofing, copper roofing, roofing tools, roofing equipment, gutter systems, flashings, copings, tools and training.
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home insurance
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Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 11:21 am Post Subject:
Nothing but spam from this sbglobal2010.
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 03:20 am Post Subject:
Any Contarctor should negotiate with the Insurance Adjuster, to make sure he gets the total ACV, and it isnt just Contractors that are shady, even Homeowners are, maybe its not a title, just people in general. All the work that I do, is done this way, and My Homeowners are just happy to have no out of pocket expense and get there damage restored. Too many selfish people. If people only realized what it takes to do an entire roof and make sure it's done properly. It isn't hard, if you know what your doing. Love the fraud though
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