The time has come... (roofing)

[launderess]

There is something to be said about being "Hyancith Bucket" (pronouced "Bouquet"), when having person in the house to do work. These days one finds one must keep on them and at them at every turn to make sure the job is done right.

We had mice, called an exterminator. Man came, went around the place with copper "wool" and pronouced all holes were plugged, gave us some glue traps, handed us a bill and went. Needless to say the mice were soon back and one could swear they were snickering behind my back. Long story short, called another person in and sat on his chest until one was certian EVERYTHING had been moved, plastered and such. No more mice.

Perc-o-Prince, we truly feel for you, and hope all is done to make this ghastly situation right and quickly. Keep on them and don't be afraid to use your "outside" voice to get a fire going and get them moving. Take pictures and document every single inch of your house, even areas you assume or think water never entered or touched. Things may seem well now, but a different story may emerge a few months later, especially when the heating season begins.

When it comes to indoor repair work, make them pay for your guys to do the work, not some slop artist on their payroll. You want everything the way it was before, not repaired just good enough.

L.

 

[rayjay]

Rich, Chuck. I feel so sorry for you. I wish I lived closer, I would help you guys. What a shame.

 

[perc-o-prince]

make them pay for your guys to do the work

Oh, yeah! "like and kind" is my motto right now. I (we) want it back the way it was up to and including the curve in the ceiling! BTW- I think some of your mice headed up this way. I've heard the snickering too!

alr2903- I can't even imagine what you went through w/ Katrina. You were lucky enough to not have flooded, but a tree through the roof? Funny- when we got our homo-owner's policy, they wanted the flowering crabs trimmed back because in one of the pix, they looked too close to the roof. The higher limbs that could have only been blown horizontally to get on the roof are about 2" diameter. The ones they were looking to have trimmed topped out at maybe 1". Meanwhile, we have oak trees that are probably 50-60' tall nearby. It's possible that with the right conditions the nearest one to the house could drop a biggie on the roof. They didn't say a word about those.

Rich- a waterfall over the electrical box? Cool! Don't blame you for beatin' feet outta there!

Ray- thanks, but all I really need to do is get the phone calls made and keep on top of the ins co once they've contacted me. 9:12am and still no call from the agent. Guess what I'm gonna do right now???

Chuck

 

[frigilux]

And all because they didn't take the time to wrap the chimney properly. Infuriating!

It sounds like you have your ducks in a row. Steel yourself for the inevitable insurance runaround. If that fails, buy a jazzy pistol and wave it around a lot.

You two will be in prayers and on minds. Keep us posted.

 

[perc-o-prince]

And all because they didn't take the time to wrap the ch

Yep!!! The owner said one of the things he was proud to tell clients was that they've never had a claim! I feel badly for the guy as he has no idea what to do. I'm basically leading him through it when he's here.

What fun trying to get hold of the agent (Matt)! I called about every 1/2 hour, and he was clearly dodging my calls. Finally, about 1/2 an hour ago, I told the receptionist that all I wanted was the number for the insurance company. She asked me to hold. When she came back, she said she didn't have it but Matt would call them again in a little while to check up on them. I told her I'd be happy to speak with any other agent as they would all have access to the number. Hold. When she came back this time, she said that Matt would call them as soon as he was done with his other customer. I explained to her again that I was only looking for the number, had no interest in speaking with Matt, let her know that I'm sorry she's stuck in the middle of this, but tat Matt needed to know that I could either take the number over the phone, or I could come down to the office right now and get it myself.

VOILA! Matt came to the phone! I was told that the claim was filed, and that I needed to be patient. I said all I was looking for was the number for Colony and I would take care of calling them. He started in again about being patient, and I just kept repeating myself about wanting the number. He hung up on me! Yes, my voice was slightly raised during this, but never did I lose my cool or yell.

I called back, and he answered. I told him not to hang up on me again, and he said not to tell him what to do! I asked again for the number. "I'm transferring you to the owner of the company."

"Hello, this is Walter Evanowski."
"I'm sorry, your name again?" (making sure I'd heard correctly)
"Walter Urbanowski."

Great. Same last name. These guys are related. Now I know I'll get nowhere, but tried anyway. I let him know that I had been trying to reach Matt since 4pm yestersay, left several messages for a call-back, and wondered why he was dodging my calls. It was 'spained to me that I need to be patient and not keep calling as they're not supposed to be even talking to me since I'm not their client (and they've spoken to me enough already!). Claims can take 24 hours before they get into the system, and Matt will call me when he has the information and not before. "You do what you have to do."

WOW!!!

So, forgetting that I looked up Colony on Tuesday, but called after hours, I called my agent. He got me a number and said to call back if it wasn't right. I called, they looked up the policy, and it was the right company! I explained the situation to the receptionist, and asked about speaking with anyone that might be able to help. She transferred me to a support person. After listening to my story, she apologizedfor the agent, and had a look for the paperwork. When she came back, she confirmed that it did arrive, but had not been entered into the system. She offered to do it if I could hold, did it, took my information, and sent it over to a claims manager with an urgent tag to call me ASAP!

Since I started writing this, I was on the phone with my agent again (as well as the roofing co. owner, Rich, and a few others), and mentioned loss of use of the bedroom. He said that may make things happen a little quicker because getting us a room would be an on-going expense. So, I just called and left the support person that message.

It never ends!!!

Chuck

 

[perc-o-prince]

It was 'spained to me

Should have been 'splained!

And, I just found out the owner of the ins. co. was that agent's father!

C

 

[polkanut]

Chuck & Rich,

Nothing like good old-fashioned nepotism at work! My parents went through the exact same fiasco. The roof was tarped, but not weighted down, and a strong gust of wind caught the tarp and caused a massive leak. Their limed oak bedroom set was ruined and had to be refinshed, maple flooring needed to be sanded and refinished, and the ceiling in their bedroom had to be replaced.

 

[sudsmaster]

Chuck,

By all means you should move into a hotel room - or at least sleep there - to help these bozos get your home back to the condition it was in before they ruined it.

If they drag their feet on agreeing to a room, I'd just go and check into the most expensive hotel in the vicinity, and then call them up and let them know that you'll be sending them the hotel bills for reimbursement... and copy both insurance companies on the bills.

As for my "waterfall breaker box" experience, it was truly surreal. I mean, that utility room was full of main conduits going this way and that, and it was just one of several breaker boxes. Even more surreal was the assertion of the contractor when I talked to him later... "It was safe". Huh? I was flabbergasted. How could water flowing out of an electrical circuit box be "safe"? He shut up after I went on about that for a while, but of course nothing really came of it. I figure he was trying the "proof by bald faced lying" approach.

 

[petek]

Jeesshus, Here I came back looking for more hotties. That is awful. Can't say any more than anyone else had said other than I'd be more than furious. I'd be vibrating

 

[perc-o-prince]

"It was safe"

Of course it was safe. You were being a baby!

UPDATE:

I had an adjusters name and ext. by 4pm, no thanks to the f*ckhead at the insurance co. I called him. He listened, then okayed ServiceMaster to come in. They might make it tomorrow. Then we discussed the sleeping arrangements, and he agreed to a pro-rated $600 for the mattress. I thanked him immensely for helping me even though he hadn't reviewed the entire case.

What I didn't think of at the time was... a mattress allowance is great, but they're doing demo in the only working bedroom! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH! I'll be calling the adjuster tomorrow and letting him know that that little detail slipped my mind. No fangs yet with him. Still nice and plasant, and a little schmoozie. He's supposed to have a local adjuster come by tomorrow to inspect. Boy will he be in for an enlightening! Oh yeah... I'm sure the box spring will be needin' replace'n once we get the mattress off. Add a little more to the bill.

Enough, already?? Nope!

So, when the worker, Matt, pulled down the ceiling in the porch to access the rafters to cut and prep for the skylight, the ceiling (luan) was wet and rotting! YAY!!! More crap to deal with!!! AND, we noticed some ant damage once everything was exposed. I have an exterminator coming in about noon tomorrow to take care of that. Trouble is, the roofers should be putting up the new luan about that time!!! I'll be doing a stall job par excellance. AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!

I'm going to call the salesman for the roofing co. and try to strike a deal where we put up the luan and cut the hole for the light to come in, and he gives us a break on something else. This will give us time to get the area dried out (BTW it was wet up there thanks to the hack job the idiot roofer did 10 years ago), and for me to do some fancy electrical work that would be convenient to do while the ceiling's down.

We already put up 3 2x6 joists in that area, ready for attaching, and the guys will air-nail them in for us tomorrow.

It never ends!!!

Chuck

p.s.- could be worse. We found out today that our aunt Donda had 5" of water in her basement and Carol's septic system backed up into her basement! Both of them live behind us.

 

[sudsmaster]

Well, it's starting to sound like it's a good thing that the ceiling in that area needs to come down, due to long term damage from the old leaky roof.

I wouldn't worry too much about the workers and the exterminator showing up at the same time. Something tells me at least one of them will be hours late...

 

[polkanut]

Rich (Sudsmaster),

Once in a great while the stars are in proper alignment and everyone shows up on time, LOL. But, of course this only rarely happens.

 

[mrb627]

Friday Already

Well, here it is Friday and the roofers have finally showed up. Pix to follow.

MRB

 

[bethann]

Holy Shit

Just got on here today for the first time in a long time.
What a mess! Dumbass's should have never ever left anything uncovered!
I'm going to give you guy's a buzz.

 

[perc-o-prince]

I'm going to give you guy's a buzz.

I could go for a good buzz right now!

I was supposed to email you to let you know when the job started so you could keep tabs- oops! Sorry about that!!! Thanks again for your help on the deal!!!

Chuck

 

[iheartmaytag]

Not to hijack your thread

I feel you pain man. I am going to have to have my house re-roofed and re-sided after the giant hail storm we had Wednesday night. P's me off too, as this was just done in '06 for another hail storm.

As an added bonus, both cars are a total loss.

I added a link to the newspaper picture gallary if anyone is interested.

http://www.kansas.com/921/gallery/884913.html

 

[mrb627]

Roof Complete

Here is the result.

 

[yogitunes]

Absolutely Beautiful!!!

I know you're glad it's done......

next time, keep them on the roof, pull the ladder away!!!BEAR TRAP!!!...lol

 

[mrb627]

Sadly

None of them were photo-worthy.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Here's what the roof looks like now (compare w/ the pic in the beginning of the thread). We think it looks better than expected! And even though the guy's people were negligent in buttoning-up the job earlier in the week and caused all that damage, we've already spoken to him about additional work (driveway sealing, etc.). It was a mistake, however simple and/or stupid, and it remains that they did good work at a fair price.

A cute aside... one of the Brazilian workers knocked at the back door while the owner, Rich, and I were taking care of the final payment, and thanked me in combo Portuguese/English for keeping cold water available for them throughout the job. I had thanked him the other day in very basic Portuguese for the work he and his buddies did, so I think he may have thought I had some knowledge of the language. If nothing else, it keeps them from talking about you while you're around! Anyway, I thanked him again in P'guese, and the owner just looked at us (not knowing what was going on!). Since the three of them (the Brazilians- sorry, but I don't remember all their names) worked past time today to be sure the job was completed before the weekend, I slipped each of them a $20 when I shook their hands to thank them.

Now, I just have to deal w/ the insurance company re: the damage. At least the day ended on a good note there, and Rich took me for a great Thai dinner!!!

Chuck

 

[perc-o-prince]

Whoops! Forgot that there wasn't a pic of the original roof in the thread, so here it is. BTW- we have to get going on some landscaping in the front... we know.... but we got quite a bit behind last year while Rich was sick.

Malcolm- nice roof and a nice house! There's something about the look of red brick mixed with white....

Chuck

 

[frigilux]

Chuck---Roof looks great, and you seeded a lot of good karma in the way you treated the workers. A class act!

 

[earthling177]

Chuck and Rich, sorry to hear about the problems, hopefully the insurance company will help fix everything -- the roof certainly looks good now. Good luck!

Malcolm -- your home is looking good too, congrats!

 

[perc-o-prince]

Here's where we're at:

The various trims have been taken down in the mahoghany bedroom and hallway waiting for the demo crew. However, for whatever reason, I haven't been able to get in touch with the demo manager today! What this means is that the demo won't happen until at least Friday morning.

OK. I don't like that because of the potential mold issues, but it does have two benefits: 1) a day that I don't have to co-ordinate people/calls/appointments, et al, and, 2) Bobby D and I can go to Brimfield tomorrow for a well-deserved day out and about!!! Yeah, I expect my cell to ring a few times, but it'll be worth it to just mindlessly shop Brimfield looking for things to re-sell, or things we don't need but I'll buy anyway!

We'll see! At least the dumpster is out of here (but I don't have any word on when a manager will be here to check out the damage to the driveway)!

Chuck

 

[perc-o-prince]

The demo began today! Their lectrician arrived to remove the chandelier in the hallway, and 10 minuts later the 3-man wrecking crew came in! They took a lot of time wrapping things and putting up plastic, then the banging began. Here's where they're at now. Toggle- don't look at the wires in the ceiling please. Those were run 40-years ago! Once the insulation's out, I'll have a day before the plasterer comes in to give an estimate, and hope to have them properly run by then (through joists w/nailing shields instead of under them between lath strips!).

The crew is expecting 2 days for the demo, today and Monday.

Chuck
p.s.- so far, no mold!!!

 

[perc-o-prince]

Figures.....

The demo was actually done, and cleaned up, Friday by 7pm! YAY!

Unfortunately, there is some mold. Not real bad stuff I guess, but it's got to be taken care of. The crw chief said he didn't expect rafters to have to come out, but they'd have to disinfect and encapsulate it. I know. This means basically spraying it w/bleach or another disinfectant, then painting (sealing) over it. He estimated about $1200-1500 over the phone, but will come out tomorrow to take a look for himself.

The good news is that he's worked w/ the field agent assigned from our insurance company, and thinks he might be able to have it covered under the December loss. If not, we'll go after the roofer in some way.


The fun never ends!

Chuck

 

[perc-o-prince]

The bedroom ceiling...

 

[toggleswitch2]

oh kids, what a PITA mess.

Best of luck with all. Hardest is when these occurances are preventable...........

Sarcastically: Oh my do I remember the "joys" of home ownership!

I was in my new/first house for three weeks when the main heating pipe sprung a leak!

Well, if there is a plus side, it is that you many now insulate to the hilt!

 

[perc-o-prince]

As if we don't have enough going on....

The roofers had to take down 2/3 of the ceiling on the porch to put the skylight in, so I'm taking the opportunity to re-run the electricity out there, put in switches for better control, etc. Rich took down the clapboard that was on the house in that area (the rest of the house is vinyl) and we'll be putting up Tyvek and cedar shakes.

Here's a partial pic from yesterday.

BTW, the mold work is done. Turns out our insurance did cover it since it was pretty obvious that it was from the december damage and not the more recent leak. The roofer's insurance is covering everything else so far. Now, it's a matter of getting a couple of estimates for the insulation, plastering and painting tht needs to be done. Our carpenter (a cousin-in-law) recommended someone Tuesday. I called the guy and set up an appointment for 6pm Thursday. No call, no show. Thursday, I happened to be talking to the salesman from the roofing co. about the damage in the driveway (dumpster ruts) and mentioned needing someone. He asked if I wanted a recommendation, I said "yes," and he contacted the guy. I got a call w/in the hour to set up an appointment for 9am the next day. The guy came, saw, and then returned a few hours later w/his plasterer to show him the job. I should have the estimate early in the week. Meanwhile, one of Rich's patients gave him a referral after showing Rich the work the guy did for them. Rich called him Thursday and he was supposed to call Friday late morning to make a time to come over. No call. Rich called him about 4pm to see what was up (the guy's work was that good, apparently). He got held up, and would try to call/stop on his way home (has to just about pass the house to get home). Nothing.

This is life in New England trying to get contractors!

Chuck

 

[scott55405]

One would think you would have the world at your feet when it comes to contractors at this particular time. I can only imagine what it must then be like during "usual" times.

Best wishes with getting everything back together and putting this difficult situation behind you.