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Possible roof contractor problem

16 years ago

The contractor I hired to renovate my house put on a new roof a month ago. That was step one of the project. I have not heard from him since & he is not responding to my calls (once a week). I heard he is on vacation this week so I didn't call this week. I expected him back several weeks ago to start my bathroom, but I have lost confidence in him & do not believe I will let him continue work on my home. There are "cosmetic" problems with the roof; i.e., tar on some shingles, tiny chip in another, scrape marks on 10-15 shingles from a ladder. I noticed yesterday some shingles did not set properly & are bowing, another is curling at the edge. Probably 30 shingles that I can see on the lower roof with cosmetic problems. I have no idea what the upper roof looks like. I would like advice:

1. How do you get a contractor to return & respond?

2. Would you find these cosmetic flaws unacceptable, or am I over reacting?

3. Should I hire someone to inspect the quality of this job? If so, who would do this?

Thanks for any advice. We are new to home repair, & don't know what to expect or how to respond in the best manner.

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Comments (3)

diyourselfer
16 years ago
Did you pay him in full for the work completed?
jasper60103
16 years ago
You can report him to the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
That may help if he cares about his reputation.

Here is a link that might be useful: Better Business Bureau on-line
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Lost, In all honesty, there's no way to make a true assessment without an actual survey. However, I think the gap in the shingles has always been there and hasn't caused a problem before now. The flashing around a chimney is an area that requires periodical inspection and maintenance which most homeowners overlook. If the caulking or other sealant where the flashing touches the chimney has separated, water can get behind it and with the volume you are getting, eventually find it's way inside the roof. If getting on the roof is not a problem for you, you can reseal the flashing for pennies. If not getting on the roof is appropriate for you, here's what I would suggest....since the flashing probably needs maintenance, have the guy that suggests that is the problem do the work......with a written guarantee that will fix the problem. If it turns out not to be the problem, he can fix the problem at his own expense. If I were forced to make an assessment....I personally would suspect the flashing.
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ron6519
16 years ago
Contact him by registered mail and itemize exactly what the problems are. Make sure you get a return receipt. Give him a suggested time frame to address your issues. If he doesn't, contact every consumer agency that over sees his license and send them copies of your letter and picture of the problems.
Don't hire this guy again.
When you hire the next guy make sure you hold back at least 25-30% of the last payment until you are satisfied with the work.
At any point in the job if you're not satisfied with what's going on, speak up at that point, don't wait until the end of the job. If you have questions, ask them. You sometimes need to be pro active with guys who do work for you. If you're not sure about what's going on, ask a knowledgable friend to stop in an have a look.
Ron

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