- PROTECT YOURSELF & BE PREPARED...
- DON'T SIGN 'ANYTHING' UNTIL YOU'VE READ 'EVERYTHING' BELOW...
- ALWAYS GET A SECOND ESTIMATE. ALWAYS!
1.) DON'T RUSH
Don't be intimidated. These guys are professional closers. To them its a 'numbers' game. They're trained to get your signature, put a sign in your yard, and move on to the next house before someone else closes them. Unless your roof is on the ground or water is pouring into your home, there is no hurry. Thank them politely, take their card and tell them you "ALWAYS get more than one bid and you will call them if you decide to move forward." It's not only sound advice, you'll find it will scare most of the wolves away and onto the next home.
* Every reputable and legitimate contractor, plumber, electrician, auto mechanic or body shop understands the importance of getting a bid before any work is done and a reputable roofing company is no different.
* Every reputable and legitimate contractor, plumber, electrician, auto mechanic or body shop understands the importance of getting a bid before any work is done and a reputable roofing company is no different.
2.) DON'T SIGN ANYTHING
Not until your insurance adjuster confirms damage to your property. Don't be manipulated by salesmen who seem all too anxious for you to sign their contract the same day with statements like: "this agreement is only valid if we meet with your adjuster and confirm damage;" or "before we agree to take our time to meet with your adjuster and fight for every penny, we want to be sure we aren't wasting our time and have you go with someone else." These are common tactics. Quickly thank them and show them to the door. Free Inspections & helping you with your adjuster (without a commitment) should be an opportunity to earn your trust and win your business.
* At Texas Roof Maintenance, Co. we are more than happy to inspect your roof & meet with your insurance adjuster. It's our policy to do so, rather you use us or not. |
"We take the position that 'IT'S OK' if you decide on another company. We feel confident that if you have anything less than a perfect experience from a competitor, you'll remember our professionalism and call on us next time." |
3.) DON'T EVER
Don't give a contractor ANY money (or even partial payment) until: 1.) You've checked out the Company to the point you're comfortable; 2.) You have a signed Agreement defining [all work] to be performed and 3) The (First) payment is only to be made no earlier than 3 days (before) the work is to commence! We refuse to accept ANY money until the day before we deliver your materials! You have a confirmed the job has been completed to your satisfaction; all left-over debris has been removed; and the entire area has been swept with magnets to pick up any loose nails around the property.
4.) DON'T EVER
Don't release FINAL payment until: 1.) You've confirmed the job has been completed to your satisfaction & pursuant to ALL terms of the Agreement; 2.) All left-over debris has been removed and the entire area has been swept with magnets to pick up any loose nails around the property; 3.) The roofer has checked the attic to be certain that the boiler, furnace and gas pipes are all properly connected to avoid fire or gas asphyxiation. 70% - 80% of all roof roof replacements may cause these pipes to loosen and some of them may have just become loosen over time without your knowledge. It is imperative that you insist the roofer inspect the attic and give you a (written) confirmation that the pipes are secure. A reputable & professional roofing companies should have a final 'Walk-Thru' checklist to provide BEFORE they will even accept payment from you. So, before you release FINAL payment, insist they check & sign-off that "all pipe-connections in the attic have been checked."
* They should insist to do this anyway to protect their own company as much as to protect your home from fire or gas asphyxiation in the event pipes loosens during a roof repair or replacement.
* They should insist to do this anyway to protect their own company as much as to protect your home from fire or gas asphyxiation in the event pipes loosens during a roof repair or replacement.