The local Ecostar rep (Ed Taylor) put me in contact with Weatherproof roofing (Johnnie Murrah) for a Ecostar Majestic Slate roof replacement for our existing cedar shake roof. The installation of Class A tiles was desired for maximum fire protection. Class A tiles are special ordered and are 4-6 weeks leadtime! The difference in price between the Class A and C for 33 squares would be over $7000
After receiveing pictures of a previous roof done by Weatherproof and a reasonably good quote We elected to hire Weatherproof. A check on the Net and Maryland Home Improvement Comm. For existing complaints revealed no red flags we proceeded. We did check one of his references knowing that the bad ones never appear in the reference list! An $8000 deposit was required to start the job.
It wasn't long after they atarted that one problem after another began to surface. Only one person out of the 10 or so on the site spoke english and he was not interested in customer satisfaction! By mid afternoon the tearoff was complete and installation of new sheathing and underlayment was well underway.
It soon became obvious that a roof window that was supposed to be installed was overlooked by the crew and when I went to confront the only english speaking member of the crew it also became obvious that Class C tiles were about to be installed. After telling the site leader NOT to install the Class C tiles his crews began installing them anyway while I was on the phone with Johnnie Murrah regarding the tile error.
Mr. Murrah was more irritated that I would stop the job due to a material problem rather than just complete the job with substandard materials. His solution was to offer me "some kind of credit" rather than a full and immediate reduction of $7000 for HIS error! Otherwise the cost to order the tiles originally quoted would cost me an additional $7000!
The following morning after a closer inspection of his crews incompetent mess revealed. Missing Ice Dam, improperly applied ice dam, missing copper drip edge, old flashing still attached, improperly nailed sheathing (severly bowed), missing sheathing, incomplete tearoff of old felt (full tear required by Ecostar for warranty compliance) and evidence that no copper valleys were ordered for the job. The contract stated all new copper drip edge, valleys & flashing!
A brief call to Mr. Murrah resulted in a heated arguement where it was Mr. Murras assertion that all the problems found were my fault and he would agree to split the increased cost of the tile order when my contract was for Class A to begin with!
Seeing that Mr. Murrah was holding my incomplete roof hostage to shake me down for more money lost him the job that morning and lawsuit. An inspection from another licensed roofer noted the same basic problems and recomended removal of new underlayment and inspection and repair or renailing the new sheathing.
After chasing him for a year I was able to recover $7000 and learned a bit more about Weatherproof Roofing. Weatherproof has been sued by a number of suppliers in the area another customer! I'm sure there will soon be more!
This roofer will cut corners where ever possible to line their pockets if you are not watching! AND even if you are!
Your total lack of pride and professionalism and poor customer ethics are going to follow you Mr. Murrah! You need to find another line of work!
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