- Jurisdiction
- Florida
Hi,
A few months ago, the house next door was sold and had a new roof. I asked the contractor how much to do mine and he gave me a price verbally- $6000.
Recently got a letter from my home insurance saying they are cancelling me because of age of roof - 16 years. I feel I have a few more years, but have a low hurricane deductible, so I started getting estimates. I got about 7. I called this company. I reminded them of the quote and said I understand materials have increased and would like a current estimate. They said they could still do it for $6000. This is 33% lower than any of the estimates I received. I verified verbally that that included the same things as the other estimates.
They said they would come by my house Wed with a notice of commencement that I would have to get notarized and they would do the roof first thing this week. They would need payment up front of half. I verified his license is active. and checked reviews. I found a couple bad older reviews. Not showing for an estimate and a roof repair that did not go good, but nothing about taking people's money.
They came by. Gave me a very basic estimate/contract that had minimal things listed as far as materials. States re-roof. 25-year shingle, and haul off all debris. Pull permits. He said he would have to bring the commencement paperwork by in the morning (Thurs) as he did not have it with him. Gave him a check for $3000. I did not sign anything other than the check. He also asked me to just use his name on the check and not put the roofing part on there as it is easier for him to deposit. Should have known better after that.
Thursday, no show, no phone call. Check clears my bank first thing in the morning. Friday, no show, no call. I call one of the estimators for the other companies and ask him if he knows anything about this company. He says the guy used to work there and he would not let him roof his doghouse. I tell him the situation and he tells me I can kiss my money good-bye. He says the materials will cost more than $6000 and there is no way this company can do it for that price. I call city and no building permit has been pulled. I then called the company and record the conversation verifying the cost and warranty and specifies of materials. I state no one has brought by the form I need to have notarized and they state they will be by and are still going to be on schedule for the first of this week. Today (Mon) no call or form to sign.
I am having very bad feelings about this company and really would rather just pay the extra money to a company that is not so shady and I do not have to worry whether my money is stolen or if they are going to drag this out to where my insurance cancels anyway next month.
Since I did not sign a contract or anything other than my check, what can I do to cancel this and get my money back? I just don't need the aggravation and should have known better. Do I need to get an attorney and if so, what type?
A few months ago, the house next door was sold and had a new roof. I asked the contractor how much to do mine and he gave me a price verbally- $6000.
Recently got a letter from my home insurance saying they are cancelling me because of age of roof - 16 years. I feel I have a few more years, but have a low hurricane deductible, so I started getting estimates. I got about 7. I called this company. I reminded them of the quote and said I understand materials have increased and would like a current estimate. They said they could still do it for $6000. This is 33% lower than any of the estimates I received. I verified verbally that that included the same things as the other estimates.
They said they would come by my house Wed with a notice of commencement that I would have to get notarized and they would do the roof first thing this week. They would need payment up front of half. I verified his license is active. and checked reviews. I found a couple bad older reviews. Not showing for an estimate and a roof repair that did not go good, but nothing about taking people's money.
They came by. Gave me a very basic estimate/contract that had minimal things listed as far as materials. States re-roof. 25-year shingle, and haul off all debris. Pull permits. He said he would have to bring the commencement paperwork by in the morning (Thurs) as he did not have it with him. Gave him a check for $3000. I did not sign anything other than the check. He also asked me to just use his name on the check and not put the roofing part on there as it is easier for him to deposit. Should have known better after that.
Thursday, no show, no phone call. Check clears my bank first thing in the morning. Friday, no show, no call. I call one of the estimators for the other companies and ask him if he knows anything about this company. He says the guy used to work there and he would not let him roof his doghouse. I tell him the situation and he tells me I can kiss my money good-bye. He says the materials will cost more than $6000 and there is no way this company can do it for that price. I call city and no building permit has been pulled. I then called the company and record the conversation verifying the cost and warranty and specifies of materials. I state no one has brought by the form I need to have notarized and they state they will be by and are still going to be on schedule for the first of this week. Today (Mon) no call or form to sign.
I am having very bad feelings about this company and really would rather just pay the extra money to a company that is not so shady and I do not have to worry whether my money is stolen or if they are going to drag this out to where my insurance cancels anyway next month.
Since I did not sign a contract or anything other than my check, what can I do to cancel this and get my money back? I just don't need the aggravation and should have known better. Do I need to get an attorney and if so, what type?
