Should I Fire This Roofing Contractor?

mezzoq

I have a roofing contractor who is not meeting schedule. A 3-5 day agreed on timeframe is now 14 days. The roofer is not replying to email and his nextel service is conveniently unavailable. No one from his crew has been back to the job site in a week. No one is at his office.

I fault my elf for not checking his references, but that's spilled milk. He is a NRCA(national roofing contactor) member + He didn't need any money upfront.

I haven't paid him, though he as sent two invoices via email. Strange the he not communicating with me.

Since 1 week ago the following has is still unfinshed:
1. Mansard shingle repair isn't finished and what's done looks awful:
He was to repair the mansard where shingles has fallen + other areas to patch. Originally he said there would be no problem matching the shingles. Well, he couldn't find matching shingles. So, he claimed that these were just faded and the ones he put on the house are the same original shingles. (Its looks awful... like a patch of non matching shingles that have been slopply laid...no consistent line)
..Another roofer has indicated to me that these are not the same shingles.
2. Upstairs Deck is laid but no totally secure. Lots of missing screws.
3. Roofers walked through the house tracking tar on carpet and stair case ( the a carpet was less than perfect, but not permanent stains before) I need to charge for this!
4. Metal Coping isn't painted
5. All roof and deck trash is in the driveway.

The insurance company may be sending an inspector soon. I'm ready to get someone else to finish, but it seems that it would only take minimal effort on the contractor's part to finish this job.

Any advice out there? I have the original contract and email trails. Does this contractor have legal recourse? Could he put a lien on the property should I hire another to finish?

Thx

dayspring

Sounds like he "fired himself".

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dougchips

Don't take this the wrong way but your customer should fire you. A week and they are hanging without their job being completed with trash in the driveway? Take care of your customer and move on.

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Double-A

Are you a contractor or the home owner?

If you have a contract, contact your attorney and see about enforcing the contract. You're asking us to advise you on something that has become a matter for action via the conditions set forth in your contract with this roofer.

Good luck.

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

red_cedar

very well put.

dirt diggler

yeah --- blame the elves, that's what I do

747

I don't play that. We would of had it out rite there.

mezzoq

This was my personal investment property, so I could be a little lax. However it's clear that this contractor is now fired. I'm just not sure if I am legally obligated to pay him anything since the work isn't finished and what's done is poor. I guess I'll let him take me to court. That is, if he has the nerve.

roofstuff

Sounds like a not to uncommon "roofing contractor".

Why not write out your perceived damages, then deduct those from the invoice, give him a copy along with the net sum? Generally, I don't think "poor workmanship" is necessarily cause for complete non-payment, although totally mismatched shingles, leaks, illegal installation, or damage to the property MIGHT be.

References alone can be misleading. They should only be used if they are thoroughly questioned. But knowing the right questions to ask sort of requires the customer to REALLY educate him/herself on some roofing fundamentals.

By the way, all asphalt shingles do bleach out a bit in the sun, even after several years. On a mansard roof, color differences would definitely stand out a bit. But it sounds like you do have 2 different kinds/brands of shingles up there.

I'm sick of all the excuses I hear, given to homeowners , by guys who don't have a clue as to what they're doing, or maybe even the work ethic combined with discipline to perform as promised. I don't write this as a guy who never makes a mistake.

There's a major lack of skill, workmanship, and honesty in the roofing industry.

Glasshousebltr

Sounds like the fella was picked up and tossed in the clinker. Check with the local Jail. A 50/50 chance it's criminal, most likely civil, probably child support.

However, I can't figure out the no money down. Was his name Santa?

Bob

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Bob

tinner666

"However, I can't figure out the no money down. Was his name Santa?"

Why would a roofer need money down except in the case of copper? My copper quotes are only good for about 3 hours, so I do get money down on them. I can figure 4% or so into a shingle quote to cover fluctuations.

red_cedar

Any contractor normally gets money down for materials, so the money being used is the clients and not the contractors.
I do it all the time.

Shingle Monkey

Not all contractors get money up front.

selvanus

i JUST MAKE IT SIMPLE AND HAVE THE CUSTOMER BUY THE MATERIALS WITH ME THERE TO INSURE EVERYTHING IS RIGHT THAT WAY, HE/SHE AT LEAST HAS AN INVESTMENT IN THE JOB.

wbsbadboy

Id say that the customer already has a significant investment in their home. They call it a mortgage.

Unless the customer is doing all the take off lists and ordering for the whole project then I always get a deposit for the cost of the materials plus 15%. Thats IF they are competent enough to do it right. Joe Average the homeowner that watches Bob Villa on saturdays will screw up the ordering every time. Ergo he is not competent enough. The 15% is what I charge to do the take off and running around for stuff if its not readily available via delievery.