Roofer won't finish his job

mothernature · #1 07/02/11, 12:10 PM

So due to hail damage we had to get a new roof and gutters on the house. We found a local roofer who has a good standing with the BBB and some of the locals. He was to re-roof the house and install new gutters. We have a contract but no written time limit, BUT we did have a verbal agreement that the roof would be done on June 27th and the gutters measured on the 29th and installed the 30th. He finished the roof and it's a good job with the quality materials we wanted, but he will not call me back about the gutters. I've tracked him down in person and he says he'll call back later (same thing if I get him to answer my calls)! Verbal agreements do stand in the state of Texas. So DH and I are giving him until Tues and we will go see him again. There's something fishy going on and I was wondering if any of ya'll have had to deal with this type of problem?

zookeeper16 · #2 07/02/11, 12:15 PM

Be a little patient. This is the busiest time of the year for anyone in the construction business and roofers really have to work around the weather more than most. It's only July 2nd, not really very late.

I realize customers want everything done on a schedule, but it's really unrealistic in the construction business. Most likely, he's being pulled in twenty different directions by 40 other customers.....

tinknal · #3 07/02/11, 12:22 PM

My guess is that with hail damage in the area he is getting roofs fixed for people before he is messing with gutters. If you had a hail damaged and leaking roof how would you feel about him fixing other folks gutters before he fixed your roof?

65284 · #4 07/02/11, 12:29 PM

Has he been paid? If he has, good luck getting anything done. If not you really haven't been harmed yet, inconvenienced yes harmed no.

Darren · #5 07/02/11, 12:37 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if he subcontracts to someone with a gutter machine. If that's the case he's waiting too.

JuliaAnn · #6 07/02/11, 12:41 PM

I would ask him specifically what/who he is waiting on. Is he waiting on subcontractors, and if so who are they and are they reputable? Is he waiting on materials? If there was widespread damage to an area, it may be hard to find matierials or he placed an order and is waiting for it to come on. Lots of different variables could be the problem, but I would ask him to explain exactly what the hold up is. That's not being rude or unprofessional.

HeelSpur · #7 07/02/11, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zookeeper16

Be a little patient. This is the busiest time of the year for anyone in the construction business and roofers really have to work around the weather more than most. It's only July 2nd, not really very late.

I realize customers want everything done on a schedule, but it's really unrealistic in the construction business. Most likely, he's being pulled in twenty different directions by 40 other customers.....

Exactly, it becomes a pain in the butt when everyone want things at the same time. He'll be back, it might be awhile, but he'll be there.

mothernature · #8 07/02/11, 02:02 PM

I think he will be back, I just hate it when they promise it 'tomorrow' instead of just being up front. The owner is young and I think his business skills just need to mature.

chickenista · #9 07/02/11, 02:03 PM

Get someone else to do the gutters.
Pay him for the work he has done only.
And pay the gutter guys for their work.

springvalley · #10 07/02/11, 02:20 PM

I have no idea why everyone is telling you he`ll be back, maybe he will , maybe not. That is no way to run a business, he could give you an answer and not avoid you. I had a guy that did work for me, and then avoided my phone calls, after a good long time I finally left a message that the next call would be to my lawyer. He called right back and came and did the rest of his work, not near a well as could be, but it did get done. > Marc

TedH71 · #11 07/02/11, 07:38 PM

I've done my own gutters. Takes me literally 30 mins. Cheaper too. I just had to use a standard ladder and have someone else hold the end piece. Not hard to do.

Joshie · #12 07/02/11, 08:22 PM

Talk to the BBB. They mediate such issues. Next time make sure there's a date in the contract with penalties for not completing the work on time.

Curtis B · #13 07/02/11, 11:33 PM

I agree with giving him a bit more time. I doesn't take much to get behind, especially a few days. They could have ran into problems on another job, an employee could have quit, the problems are endless. If they are doing seamless their machine could have broke. You just never know.

rambler · #14 07/03/11, 01:58 AM

Outdoor construction work, where emergency repairs pop up.

And you're worried about a 5 day delay?

My town had hail go through last June.

Been non-stop roofing and siding going on since, think 3/4 of the town will get new roofs.

Friend planned a new roof in August. I was helping the fella in early November when he was finally able to get to it.

No big deal, it's the nature of the business, if you don't book yourself full, you lose out on income and are out of business.

If you do book yourself full, weather & supply issues and so forth get you every now and then and you get behind.

Emergencies come up, crew gets hurt - this is physical demanding work. People get roof damage, need quick help, need to squeeze the repairs in. Permits and spaperwork gets fouled up, slows down a few jobs.

I should hope one doesn't involve the BBB on such a minor thing, just normal construction time flows, why any angst over this?

--->Paul

TnAndy · #15 07/03/11, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren

I wouldn't be surprised if he subcontracts to someone with a gutter machine. If that's the case he's waiting too.

Bingo............

NewGround · #16 07/03/11, 10:58 AM

Probably subs out his gutter work and you are probably not the only one with hail damage... Likely the gutter guy is working his tail end off trying to get all the extra work done... Roof is done so no leak worries, just ask him how long will it really take to get them installed... Than have a cold one...

mothernature · #17 07/03/11, 11:02 AM

Rambler, no "angst" from me, I simply asked if anyone had experiece with this type of situation. ALSO, my point was the roofer has lied repeatedly. Just let me know if there is a hold up, DON'T tell me it will be done tomorrow!

rambler · #18 07/03/11, 11:07 AM

I understand that last part, not very good on his part.

People skills. Not everyone in business has them.

Friend of ours has had 2-3 years of roof problems - new shingle job, they don't seal down on the wind side of the house. Old ones did, new ones do not. Kinda think he got cheaper shingles, but what now, been a big big hassle, every wind a few shingles lift up & have to call the roofer, and hassle hassle....

Came from that discussion a few days ago, and it seems not such a big deal if it takes a little longer for the gutters to show up as long as the shingle job was done well.

But yes, it would be better if you were given a better time.

---->Paul

mothernature · #19 07/03/11, 12:20 PM

Yeah, it's been a learning process, as long as we've owned our place we never had to make an insurance claim and my husband has always done all the house maintainance.

**Tiempo** · #20 07/03/11, 12:30 PM

LOL..roofers. Last month I was trimming horses at a farm, they had roofers out and they got into a knock down, drag out fight on the roof and down onto the ground!

The cops were called. I was pretty impressed that the roofing company had a new crew out with a half hour.