Interesting lenny. I've never paid anything up front. I don't really understand the logic either since a contractor can always get a mechanics lien if there is a problem getting paid.
Bill Stephan, Kansas City MO Email: wstep...@everestkc.net Phone: (816)803-2469 -original message- Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] roof damage From: Lenny McHugh <lmch...@verizon.net> Date: 08/05/2010 12:17 Alan, excellent advice. In my area all contractors require 50% down. -------------------------------------------------- From: "Alan Paganelli" <alanandsuza...@earthlink.net> Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2010 1:10 PM To: <blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com> Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] roof damage > I would suspect that if the damage is that large that there is more damage > you can't see and it's problem that the roof is weak in spots. Crawling > around on a roof that has no damage is a risky business to start with and > when you toss in possible water damage it could turn deadly and very fast. > > It's not just about fixing the hole but about inspecting for other damage > that possibly could be worse. But, as has already been said, this sort of > thing won't go away on it's own. > > Here's what I recommend. Contact 5 or 6 roofing contractors in your area. > Tell them that your taking bids on roof repairs and briefly describe the > problem. Don't assume. People invite contractors to stick it to them by > describing things they assume to be true. If you tell the contractor you > are afraid you might need a new roof, guess what he'll tell you. Yes mam, > we examined your roof and your quite correct. Your roof is shot and needs > to be replaced. That's at least a 10,000 dollar job. Instead, only > describe what you know as fact. Tell them up front that your only taking > bids at this time. If they say something like we don't give bids, you can > reply, then you don't get the job. If their honest, they'll come out and > give you a free bid. If they want to charge you for it, run real fast. > > I'm the president of our home owners association and am responsible for > over > 55 homes. It's not a large association as such things go but we get home > owners seeking information on what they can do to avoid being taken. > > Out of 5 or 6 bids, you should wind up with 4. There is always 1 or 2 who > offer more excuses why they can't come out when they said they would. > Their > probably doing you a favor anyway. Out of the 4 or so you get,you'll be > amazed at the range of prices. > > As an example, on a 10 thousand roofing job the prices could be as low as > 6 > and as high as 20 thousand. > > Write everything down and never assume you will be able to remember it > because you won't. Get the bid in writing or you don't have anything. If > it's in writing, you've got the paper to prove the bidder said what ever. > > Never pay in full up front. You have no bargaining chips left. If you > are > still holding the money, you've got say-so. It is proper to put some money > down up front but only a small amount usually far less then half; like > maybe > a fourth. /And finally, run like hell when they start promising you the > sun > and the moon. Unless it's in writing, you don't have it. > > All the best of luck to you with it. Oh and be sure to inquire about > warrantees on their work and how long etc. > > Alan > > Please click on: http://www.home.earthlink.net/~alanandsuzanne/ > There, you'll find files of my arrangements and performances played on > the Yamaha Tyros keyboard. I often add files so check back regularly! > > The albums in Technics format formerly on my website are still > available upon request. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Cy Selfridge" <cyselfri...@comcast.net> > To: <blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2010 8:19 AM > Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] roof damage > > >> Jennifer, >> >> I concur with Al in that unless you are pretty adept with roofing issues >> *DON'T* do it. >> >> Crawling around in the attic should also be left to those who have >> experience. >> >> Having a pro come and fix the problem is a whole lot less than hospital >> bills and resultant recovery from falling off the roof or through the >> ceiling. >> >> Cy, The Anasazi >> >> From: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com >> [mailto:blindhandy...@yahoogroups.com] >> On Behalf Of Jennifer Jackson >> Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 9:04 PM >> To: blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com >> Subject: [BlindHandyMan] roof damage >> >> >> >> >> >> Good Morning, >> >> I need some input on the condition of my roof and what my next step >> should >> be. There is a hole in the ceiling of an upstairs bedroom that is from a >> water leak. I have been up on a short ladder and checked this part out >> for >> myself. It is about the size of a salad plate. I know I have to stop the >> water from coming in, but I am afraid to get up on the second story roof >> to >> investigate. Both afraid of falling, and of doing more damage to the roof >> as I know nothing about roofing. >> >> My mother looks up into this hole and goes on about being able to "see >> the >> sky." Her answer to the problem is that I must get some man to fix it, so >> she is not very helpful as a source for more sighted details. >> >> My husband has a theory about this leak that I am not certain about. I >> may >> have mentioned that home repair is not his forte? Anyway, he insists that >> the light my mother is seeing is coming through the vent. He is referring >> to the round vent things that have a fan in them for ventilation. He >> claims >> that the water is coming in through the vent and is normal. He tells me >> that the other fan has a plastic pan under it to catch the water and that >> this is why it does not have a similar leek. The water that leeks through >> seems like a lot of water to be expected to just evaporate out of a >> collection pan. My husband is suggesting that we just need to put in some >> more insulation and repair the sheet rock. >> >> I am willing to get up in the attic and try to access this area to get >> more >> information. I am just not certain that any repairs from that side will >> really do any good, or of any safety precautions I need to take. >> >> Such as perhaps turning off the electricity at the breaker box to avoid >> any >> possible live wires? Your input will be greatly appreciated. It will >> cause >> a fight with my husband if I go ahead and call in a roofer after he has >> said >> we do not need one. I am willing to fight with him, but I prefer not to >> whenever possible. I would love for him to be right about this. >> >> Jennifer\ >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> >> >> >> >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> >> >> >> ------------------------------------ >> >> Send any questions regarding list management to: >> blindhandyman-ow...@yahoogroups.com >> To listen to the show archives go to link >> http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=33&MMN_position=47:29 >> Or >> ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ >> >> The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. >> http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday >> >> Visit the archives page at the following address >> http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ >> >> For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man >> list just send a blank message to: >> blindhandyman-h...@yahoogroups.comyahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Send any questions regarding list management to: > blindhandyman-ow...@yahoogroups.com > To listen to the show archives go to link > http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=33&MMN_position=47:29 > Or > ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ > > The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. > http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday > > Visit the archives page at the following address > http://www.mail-archive.com/blindhandyman@yahoogroups.com/ > > For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man > list just send a blank message to: > blindhandyman-h...@yahoogroups.comyahoo! Groups Links > > >
