How To Spot a Crooked Contractor

As we've all seen in news reports, natural disasters attract predators. Of particular concern are phony contractors, who knock on the doors of distraught homeowners and offer to repair damaged roofs or remove fallen trees. They take a hefty deposit, but never return to do the work. Of course, these fraudsters don't just come round after bad weather. The following tips from This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and the National Association of Home Builders will help you spot a crook under any conditions. 

Beware of a contractor who:
+ Refuses to give you a copy of his license and certificate of insurance, which should include liability and worker's compensation.

+ Has popped up out of nowhere, literally. You can't verify any of her references or that she even has a fixed business address.

+ Rubs you the wrong way. "Trust your instincts," says Tom. "If something doesn't feel right about the person, then it probably isn't."

+ Is so eager to get things started that technicalities get brushed away—but not the fee. He'll say you don't need to sign a contract and try to get you to pay for the project up front.

+ Asks you to write a check directly to him for products, such as shingles, cabinets, windows, etc. instead of writing it out to the company who is supplying the items. ALWAYS MAKE A CHECK OUT TO THE COMPANY WHO IS PROVIDING THE SERVICE.

+ Offers a bargain in exchange for using your home as an example of their work or tempts you with a low price that's only on the table if you sign that day.

+ Tries to get you to buy stuff you already have. Don't get talked into paying to install a new AC system if yours works fine.

+ Asks you to pay for work that hasn't been done yet. "If you don't see it, don't pay for it," says Tom.

+ Uses scare tactics to get you to sign off on extras. Your walls won't crumble because you didn't get that ultra-expensive siding

Having code upgrades added to your existing policy can save you thousands in repair cost!

DID YOU KNOW...Insurance company's tend to drop code upgrade's from your insurance policy covering rental property. Code upgrades cover items such as decking issue's, ice & water shield or drip edge.

Contact your property insurance company and have code upgrades added to your existing policy. The cost to add it to your policy is minimal compared to the cost if you have to cover these expenses. Most city's and/or county's  require these storm related repair's to be done to the property. Having this on or added to your policy can save you thousands in repair cost!

CJ Restoration would be happy to assist any property management company or home owner in offering a no obligation evaluation of there property. Contact us today 303-690-9253.

    5 helpful roof replacement tips

      

Keeping on top of roofing needs can help protect the integrity of its structure and your home from further potential damage. (Photo courtesy of CJ Restoration Aurora, CO)

Your roof is a central role in protecting your home and everything inside of it. Anytime the roof's structure is compromised, immediate action should be taken to repair the problem. Failure to fix a damaged roof can lead to structural problems and costly repairs in the future.

1. Stay on the safe side with a professional contractor

Some people like to compare the costs by doing part or all of the job themselves. In most cases, it's safer to hire professional roofing contractor. We have valuable training and experience as well as knowledge of the appropriate materials to use, proper installation, safety procedures, building code requirements and waste disposal. When choosing a contractor, be sure you do your due diligence. Make sure contractors are properly licensed and qualified, carry insurance and have positive references. We have our available for you to view at all times.

2. Get the ball rolling on permits

Most local governments require permits for roofing work. We will obtain the permit for you and its included in our bid. If you are filing an insurance claim it is cover by the insurance, but if you are doing it out of your own pocket you'll need to know what the costs are this way you can add to your budget.

3. Removing the old roof saves trouble down the road

Some contractors might propose leaving your old roof in place and adding a new roof on top of it. Although it might be much cheaper, you should avoid this. When an old roof is removed, the contractor can inspect the decking (plywood sheets) and other areas for structural damage. You could be hiding a costly repair by adding a new roof without removing the old one.

4. Asphalt shingles offer both durability and affordability

There's a wide variety of roofing materials to choose from, asphalt shingles provide a happy medium for many homeowners because they come in many shapes and colors, they're easy to install and will generally last for at least 20 years.

5. Plan for the right combination of time and weather

Schedule your roof repair during a time when the weather is nice in your area. Many roofing jobs can be completed in a day if weather permits. 

We are here for all your restoration projects, for more information or any questions feel free to cal us 303.690.9253

Dodging the Pitfalls of Homeowners Insurance

Home owners insurance is a great thing. Owning a home is expensive enough, but when you have to come up with thousands of dollars for an unexpected repair job, it’s nice to have the protection of insurance. Insurance can save you hundreds of dollars in costly repairs and even replace the roof in the event of major disaster.

However, if you haven’t looked closely at your roof insurance, you might be surprised to find out what isn't covered. The best way to protect yourself from unexpected costs is to get to know your homeowners insurance in detail.

As obvious as this seems...but read your policy. The key here is to make sure you know what your insurance will cover and what it won’t cover. Then you can make the appropriate adjustments.

Exclusions: Insurance companies protect themselves from fraudulent claims and unnecessary expenses by excluding certain items and repairs from coverage. Many homeowners are unaware of exclusions within their insurance policies. The problem comes when repairs or replacement costs are filed with the insurance company and these costs are denied coverage by the company. In such cases, the homeowner may have already had the work completed and are left with the outstanding bill.

Some Common Roof Insurance Exclusions: It is always a good idea to read your insurance policy closely and find out if the following conditions affect you:

Complete Replacement: Typically, roof repairs are covered. If a wind storm comes through and blows off some of your shingles, you can get those shingles replaced and insurance will cover the cost. Minor damage as the result of unavoidable events are usually covered by the insurance. What is not covered is any damage that is the result of improper maintenance or damage that could have been avoided had you been more mindful of the roof condition.

In some cases, insurance does not cover complete roof replacement. Imagine getting to the point where your roof needs replacing and finding out too late that you’ll have to cover the cost yourself. Or worse, you already had the roof replaced and your insurance company denies the claim, leaving you responsible with the bill.

Materials: Some insurance companies won’t cover certain roofing materials. You might want to read your insurance policy before re-roofing your home in historic cedar shakes or durable slate. Many companies simply won’t cover these materials or will only pay for specific materials they have outlined in the policy.

The reasoning behind this is simple. It just costs too much for repairs on certain types of materials. For example, the newest roof materials are leaning towards recycled or “green” roofing materials. Although these new materials are great for the environment, and often last longer than traditional materials, not all insurance companies cover them.

Insurance companies have been paying out millions of dollars a year for roof repair and they like to work with materials they know. Before you hire a contractor to replace your roof, be sure to contact your insurance provider to review which materials they will cover.

Older Roofs: If you’re buying a house, it might not surprise you that an insurance company won’t cover the roof if it’s 10-20 years old and nearing the time for replacement. Insuring a roof like that is like a health insurance policy taking on customers with pre-existing conditions. It’s extremely risky and the insurance company usually comes out on the short end of the deal.

What might surprise you is the actual age of the home’s roof. Most people are familiar with the practice of saving money by simply singling over existing shingles, but this creates two problems. (1) Many insurance companies will not insure a roof that has more than 2 layers of old roofing materials and (2) An insurance company will probably consider the bottom layer of shingles to be the actual age of the roof.

So, if you’re buying a house with layers of shingles, the roof may look good at first glance, but cost you a bundle when you find out it isn't insured. Always check with your insurance provider before buying a house with an old roof or one that has multiple layers of roof materials.

Five Questions To Ask Your Roofing Contractor

Nothing haunts a homeowner quite like experiencing problems with their roof. It's a chilling thing to witness rain water dripping into your home one drop at a time, and you know with crystal clear certainty that it is time to hire a local roofer.

Hiring a good, honest and competent roofer is a surprisingly difficult task in this day and age. Though swindlers and unscrupulous contractors can be found in nearly any industry, with the high stakes and higher expense of roof repairs, a homeowner must be especially vigilant about the roofer he or she hires for their roof repairs.

Here are five questions to ask prospective roofers:

Do You Have Liability Coverage, Current License And Workers’ Insurance?

The answers to all three of these questions need to be “yes” without hesitation. As a follow up, ask to see the relevant paperwork for these three things. If the roofer cannot produce them, chances are he does not have them. Look elsewhere.

Do You Have A List Of References?

We provides a current list and encourage you to check our references, both previous clients and professional affiliations. If a roofer balks at providing you with these, look elsewhere.

How Much Is The Deposit On Repairs?

You need to know how much up-front money the roofer requires before beginning the repairs, both for your own budget and to ensure that there is good faith money on the table. Never pay for the entire cost before work begins.

What Is The Time Frame For The Repairs?

It's important to get a commitment to an articulated a deadline for completion of the repairs.

What Do I Need To Do To Prepare For Your Work Before You Begin?

This is an important step that many people often overlook. We have a checklist that can help you save time and money by allowing our roofers to get started right away when they show up for work.

Choosing the Perfect Contractor:

1. Ask how long the company has been in business. After a few years they have usually established their business practices and have a good understanding of the industry.

2. Be sure the contractor has a permanent place of business, phone, tax ID and if applicable a license & insurance. Since some states do not require contractors to be licensed, but it's always best to obtain a licensed contractor only.

3. Ask to see copies of their references, business license & insurance. A professional contractor will always carry copies of their paperwork.

4. Call the Better Business Bureau. You can also ask for references and call those customers to determine if they were satisfied.

5. Price is not a very reliable indicator of which company to pick. Sometimes you are offered discounts and rebates which will lower the price. Spend a little time making calls and looking over the written estimate and contracts and get all your questions answered so you can feel confident in your final decision. Unless it's an insurance claim (see reason in #6).

6. Get multiple quotes from different roof contractors and compare the details of the bid, unless it is an insurance claim, then it doesn't matter because the insurance company determines how much the project will cost.

7. Ask about warranties. Repair and replacement can be costly so it is always a good idea to find a contractor that can offer a warranty for the work. Contractors typically offer full warranties for new roof and roof replacements, but may not offer any warranty for repairs. You should always get a copy of the warranty information once the work has been completed.

8. Document when the project will start and when it is estimated to be completed, also when payments will be made. (Do not pay in full up front - more details in #9). Make sure the warranty is clear and you understand what voids it.

9. Don’t pay the job in full until it's complete. You may be required to pay a small amount to start the job, this amount should typically be 25-50% of the full price of the job, or the base cost for materials only. Always inspect the work once it is complete and get a copy of all the necessary paperwork before paying the contractor.

10. You should conducting preventative maintenance on a regular basis on your home. Look for damaged or missing shingles, and replace any that are not satisfactory. The flashing and underlining should always be intact and in good shape. Look for dents or loose siding. Just a few minutes each month can reduce the chances of needing major repair or replacement and save you thousands of dollars down the road.