Steven Schroeder and Tobi Penberthy of Granite City, Illinois paid a hefty sum for their home’s roof and gutter replacement. Unfortunately, they soon realized they’d paid in full for only half the job. While the gutters looked fine, the couple wanted to widen them to allow more runoff to flow to the ground.
The roofer was supposed to come back the next business day to install the new gutters, but never returned. The following excerpt from the FOX 2 News website, as reported by Bonita Cornute, gives us more information: They’ve paid in full for both jobs. But they’re still looking at the old gutters. Tobi thinks they’ve been had. “I think his business has failed, and he just ripped us off.” The process has been lengthy and annoying according to Steven. “It’s very frustrating, we waited a long time. And [we’ve] been trying to resolve this issue for a long time now,” he said. I left messages for the contractor. He didn’t call back. I couldn’t find him at the address listed for his business. Granite City shows no record of him pulling a building permit. And he doesn’t have an Illinois roofing contractor’s license. No Full Upfront As a result of this debacle, the couple lost more than half of the $6,000 they paid to get the job done. On their part, they committed a grave mistake: paying upfront in full. Reputable Salem roofing contractors, like A&A Services, won’t ask for a full upfront, and offer financing options up to 6 months with no interest. Rates vary, but the general rule of thumb is don’t pay more than 10 percent of the job’s total as a down payment, or more than $1,000. It’s best to keep upfront payments, if any, at the bare minimum to avert grave financial losses. Clients should also insist on written contracts and detailed estimates before any work begins. Licenses and Permits Massachusetts state law requires roofers to be duly licensed in their service areas, and for roofing projects to carry a permit. Due to the significant changes to be made to the structure, roof replacements require a permit from the local government to ensure adherence to local buildings codes. Permit requirements for repairs, on the other hand, will depend on the extent of the damage to the roof. Gutter installation and replacement, for example, doesn’t require a permit. In conclusion, you should hire a Salem roofer that doesn’t charge a full upfront, is licensed to offer roofing services in your area, and knows his paperwork. Following these tips will ensure successful results. (Article Excerpt and Image from Couple gets new roof, but contractor doesn’t replace gutters; FOX 2 News; October 24, 2013)
