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We have hail damage from a May 2004 storm that came through our area. We didn't even think about it - never occurred to us. We began noticing many new roofs being installed around our neighborhood a month or so ago and called State Farm to request an adjuster come out and inspect our property for damage.
We did sustain damage to the roof, and they approved the removal and replacement of our roof, gutters and downspouts. This journal entry is the chronicle of that work, from estimates forward.
UPDATE, 10/8/2004:We chose Company C out of Columbus. As you will see from the later entries (after the work began), we are displeased with how this job has stretched into over 2 weeks and with some other cosmetic issues. Photos are posted at my website: Hyperlink
Entries and Updates
Sep 14, 2004
We got estimates from
Company A:
The salesman was nice, but really didn't go into a lot of detail. He worked off the measurements and materials list provided by State Farm, saying he didn't need to go up on the roof since we had that.
Company B:
The salesman walked up and basically said they'll do the roof for whatever State Farm said they'd pay, that our deductible would be the only out-of-pocket we'd have to pay. He didn't even look at the information I had from State Farm. He showed me paperwork indicating the insurance deductible would be our sole expense out-of-pocket.
I looked it over and handed it back to him, then said we'd like a list of customers for references; he shot back quickly, "your mayor and your former mayor both had us do their roofs."
That doesn't tell me much - I mean, how do we know they wouldn't do better and more thorough work for high-profile customers in order to get a better reference? How would we know if the mayors even knew what good roofing is?
Mainly, the salesman had a cocky attitude that went beyond confidence; to me, he almost seemed disdainful. He really rubbed me the wrong way. That plus I'd not been able to find any listings for them in the phone book or online. The website provided on the salesman's business card wouldn't even come up. Nixed that company!
Company C:
By far, this company gave us the most detailed info. The salesman did what the others didn't: Went up on the roof, took measurements and saw what type of work was in place. He found that State Farm had mismeasured and underestimated the number of squares we'd need, plus they missed another component.
They will also deal directly with State Farm on behalf of their customers, something we appreciate. They also have a good reputation locally both for work and customer service. They've been in business since 1981, too.
We ended up going with Company C and we're looking at the first or second week of October for the work to be started. It will take 1 day for them to remove our old roof and install a new one. The gutters will be a second day.
We chose Owens Corning Premium 25yr asphal shingles in the Desert Tan color. Those will draw out the nice brown and gold tones in our home's stonework and soften the whole house. Right now the roof is grey and looks kind of stark and industrial to us.
Here's what the house looks like now, prior to any exterior work being done:
Sep 28, 2004
The roofing crew began today. They were supposed to arrive at 7-7:30am, but got here at 9:30am. They got as far as stripping off all the old roof and paper, putting new paper on the back side of the house, and tarping over the front. They say it will only take them 3 hours tomorrow to finish up. The job was supposed to only take one day - probably would have if they'd been on time and started right away.
Here's the dump truck, its load topped off with our old shingles:
Sep 28, 2004
The truck at day's end:
Sep 28, 2004
The roof, partly clad in a tarp for the night. Glad there's no rain forecast!
Sep 29, 2004
Day two of the great roof odyssey, and this time they were right on time at 7:30am. We were awakened by foul language and graphic discussions regarding oral sex. Even after I shut the window and the blind, they only paused and then resumed their trash talk. Howie said to let it go until they were all done, then complain to the company.
They were sub-contractors, but they still represent the roofing company, and that kind of language is totally unprofessional when customers are within earshot.
The job we were promised would take one day took two, plus they did not clean up the roofing nails from our home's perimeter; the contract specifically noted that they would go around the house with a magnet not once, but two times. There are nails on the patio, right in plain view, as well as on walkways around the foundation.
The gutter crew is separate, and we were originally told they usually come out the day after the roof's done. The roofing crew left some shingle bundles and equipment behind, so who knows...Maybe those are property of Company C and the gutter crew is bringing it all back with them?
We're pretty disappointed in their professionalism thus far and wonder who we can get to take a look at the work up close to see if it looks like good workmanship.
On an UP note, though, we signed a contract on replacement windows today: Rosati Windows. It'll take 6-8 weeks for them to be built and ready; we hoped it wouldn't be that long, but business has been good for the company, plus our windows have the woodgrain laminate being added to the inside, which adds a little time to the order.
Here's a before and during shot of the roof. More to come!
Oct 9, 2004
Roof vents in the back. Why would the shingles be blackened already, or at all? Is it normal for them to lie so unevenly?
Update 10/9/2004: It was pointed out to us by someone that the shingles should not have been cut so short (width-wise) at the edge of the roof. The little pieces on the ends will fall off before too long. Thanks for the comment and information - we'll ask about that.
Oct 9, 2004
At the request of a some folks more knowledgeable than us regarding roofs, I'm starting a new journal entry with just photos, no explanations; that way it will make it easier for them to look at the documentation and comment.
