Response from Quality Roofing & Inspections
Thank you for reading this. Here's what transpired: I was unable to determine if rotted wood was under the leaking roof shingles. Usually, I can determine this by entering the attic or other by means, but not this time. I quoted $370 to fix all things on this roof. I hand-wrote in our agreement, "If wood damage is found-add time and matl's to cost. < $100" . (removed member name) agreed that if we opened the roof up and bad decking was found, that it would be replaced, up to $100, rather than not fixing his roof correctly. As it turned out, the wood was bad. See the total of $388. I added $18, which was below my cost, but was agreed upon (up to $100) before I started the work. I could have chosen to "milk" this, (which I do not do), and added, say, $95, but I did the extra below my cost. I am amazed (removed member name) does not appreciate an honest, considerate roofing contractor. If he would have told me that adding $18 to change a section of roof decking was overcharging, I would have been pleased to discuss this with him. If I would have back-charged him $100, (which he agreed to ahead of time-before he ordered the roof work) I would understand his complaint, but I did no such thing. He feels cheated over $18. Honestly, this type of thing tempts an honest, licensed contractor to bid the work "worst scenario" and if the wood is OK, then just pocket the extra profit. Please understand, that as a certified home inspector, roof inspector, and roofing contractor, I work hard to inspect the roof thoroughly, and get it right the first time, so that customers are not hit with extra costs. But, sometimes, I cannot enter the attic, or the hidden roof issues cannot be determined until we remove roof shingles. That's what happened in this case. If I would have bid it much higher, but included damaged wood, if present, perhaps he would have been happy. I would have made more money and he would have been none the wiser, if there was not any bad wood. (Or, as some roofers do, just install new shingles over the existing bad wood. I have seen it at my home and roof inspections many times. But I will not do this.) How would you like to be treated? The contractor quotes the cost of everything that could be wrong and you pay it whether it's needed or not, or he gives you a break, just in case you have no rotted wood to replace? I understand that no one likes to pay more than quoted, but roof estimates are roof estimates and not always a guaranteed price. I cannot see under the shingles to know if the roof decking needs to be replaced. I am sorry that (removed member name) feels that he was not treated fairly. Most roofers have a back-charge clause in their fine print. This was not. I wrote this in by hand under the description of work to be performed. There was no surprise here, (removed member name). You are welcome to call me to talk about this if you still feel that I treated you poorly. Thank you.