Installing a brand-new roof is an important and rather large monetary investment. Still, it is necessary to have a proper roof that protects your home from water and other damages. It can be a truly frustrating and stressful experience to find out that your new roof was not installed correctly by the roofing contractor.
Learn what all your options are if your roof was improperly installed and take the following steps to remedy the situation and get your roof repaired or replaced to help prevent any further damage.
Signs That Could Indicate That Your Roof Was Not Correctly Installed
There are certain telltale signs that could indicate that your beautiful roof was not properly installed and/or could also indicate the roofing materials used may also be of a cheaper grade that might look great at first but will quickly show imperfections and damage later down the road.
Watch out for these warning signs that include:
- Torn, missing, or broken shingles
- Dark stains that might be evidence of water leaks
- Inadequate attic ventilation
- Shingles or other materials are not uniform on all sides
- Flashing is improperly installed – inspect joints
- Seams are not reinforced – check around the chimney, roof vents, and along the gutter
- Gutters are not diverting water away from home
- Gutters are clogged, broken, or are leaking
- The roof appears buckled or strained
- Not enough nails are used to hold shingles down
What Happens if the Poor Workmanship & Damages Are Not Evident Right Away?
It is not uncommon for a newly installed roof to look nice and secure at first. Later, the homeowner may notice signs of trouble. Sometimes, these damages and imperfections are attributed to other causes such as after a strong storm.
While roof damage may indeed occur following dangerous weather events, the reason for the problems could have more to do with the installation process. Improperly installed roofs are going to be more vulnerable to damage after wind, rain, or snow/ice storms.
Get in Touch with Your Roofing Contractor ASAP After Problems Are First Noticed
When a homeowner first discovers that their new roof has some significant issues, it is usually best to alert your roofing contractor with the unfortunate news. Most reputable building and roofing contractors will stand behind their work and the materials that they use on their jobs.
Give the contractor the benefit of the doubt and give him the details of your current roofing problems. Hopefully, your contractor will do the right thing and offer to fix the problems at no additional cost.
What Happens if the Contractor Neglects to Own Up to the Shoddy Work?
If you have in good faith alerted your contractor to the issues found regarding your roof, you should hear from the contractor in a reasonable length of time. So, what happens if the contractor fails to own up to the shoddy work or doesn’t even take the time to get back to you with the repair plan?
Sadly, there are some dishonest or just poor-quality contractors that will try to evade an angry customer. Keep a record of the times and dates that you tried to speak with the contractor. This situation calls for further and decisive prompt action.
Call a Licensed Home Inspector or a Professional Construction Consultant
You will want to get an expert opinion regarding your roof problems. Call a licensed home inspector or a professional construction consultant and ask for an evaluation. These professionals will have experience and knowledge of what the workmanship should look like and what is actually present.
Get the results of the work evaluation down on paper so everything is clearly documented using professional language that leaves no doubt about the findings. This report will come in handy should you need to take further action.
The evaluator may also give you some recommendations on how to best remedy the issues and may be able to give an estimated cost of those remediation actions as well.
First, give your original roofing contractor a copy of this evaluation report. Let him know that you will pursue the matter further if the contractor still refuses to work with you on a swift and appropriate resolution.
This written report can be used as proof and evidence. If things stall or you do not see reasonable progress, the report may work as leverage to push the company to a satisfactory resolution.
File a Formal Complaint if the Contractor Refuses to Remedy the Situation
Contact your specific state’s licensing or consumer affairs department. Homeowners should know that the deadlines for filing a complaint will differ depending on the state regulations.
Any warranties that you have on the roofing installation job may cover costs for these repairs. When filing a consumer complaint against a contractor, be prepared by having adequate proof information and detailed photographs of the roof damages or shoddy workmanship areas.
You will need to show your evaluation or consultant inspection report, as well as your original roofing installation contract and proof of what you paid for the work.
The state representative of consumer affairs will then get in touch with your first roofing contractor and alert them to the problem. Then, the contractor will be given the opportunity to fix the damages. If the contractor fails to do this, the state may then be able to act as a mediator between you and the contractor or will refer your complaint case for third-party arbitration.
What Are Your Litigation Options Against the Original Contractor?
Certain states will not get involved in an unlicensed contractor involved in the complaint dispute. In this instance, the only legal option might be the state’s tort system or suing the contractor in court.
This lawsuit is recommended if the homeowner is only seeking monetary compensation for the bad roofing job costs already paid. There are differences in small and large claim court processes, and it is best to contact an attorney in the area where your complaint took place to assist in this complex matter.
Insider Tips for Avoiding This Roofing Fiasco in the Future
Always get a firm estimate in writing before signing any binding contracts. Check out the roofing contractor by checking the company’s status with your local Better Business Bureau and investigating past complaints and customer reviews on home contractor hiring sites.
Do not pay the full amount for the work until the final inspection of completed work is finished. Stay alert and involved in the entire roofing process to let the contractor know you will not be an easy mark for fraud, shoddy work, long completion delays, or hidden fees that are not expected.
Conclusion
Consumers do have rights with regard to the expectation of paying only for the work that was spelled out in the original contract. Bad workmanship, inferior building materials, and excess unexpected costs should never happen. If your new roof shows signs of being poorly constructed, take the above steps to remedy the bad situation.
Your choice of a roofing contractor is an important decision. Hire only reputable home improvement contractors like RGB Construction located in New Jersey. Phone 856-264-9093 or access additional roofing work information online at https://rgbconstructionservices.com.
