The owner of this business walked away from an estimate because he didn't like what I said.
I suffered wind damage to half of my roof in September, and had an insurance adjuster provide an estimate for repairs. The insurance has authorized replacement of approximately half the roof, and has very clearly delineated what materials are to be used. Their instructions are to share this information with the contractor, which is what I tried to do with Mr. Napier. He only took a cursory glance at the document, completely ignoring the sketch and measurements made by the adjuster. Then he and his son went up on the roof and made 2 measurements of their own -- the length and depth of the side of the roof that was not damaged. That side is planar, whereas the side with damage has a gable cut in and another portion over an entry. Their total time on the roof was approximately 2 minutes.
Based upon this single measurement of the simple, undamaged side, he showed me with an estimate that was nearly 3 times the amount my insurance will cover. He flatly stated that the whole roof needs to be replaced, despite what I'd received authorization for. Furthermore, his quote included architectural shingles, whereas my insurance only covers 3-tab shingles. Also, the quoted architectural shingles were rated at a longer lifetime than what the insurance specified, which also translates into additional cost. If he had bothered to look at the document I tried to show him, he would have seen these issues. When I pointed them out, he said 'They're only $2 more per bundle.' I commented that, if it's not that big a deal, then perhaps HE could cover the cost. Rather than suggesting that this is an area where we might find compromise, he was highly insulted and ran away in a huff.
He would have no part of continued dialog, telling me, and I quote, verbatim: "If you can't afford the house, sell it." I again mentioned the 3-tab shingle stipulation from the insurance company, and he said: "I don't care about your insurance. Sell the house."
My guess is, if you just point to your house and say "Sell me what you think I need", and then nod your head meekly at whatever he says, you may get somewhere. I hate that there is insurance involved, because I don't know how to effectively deal with the confusing legal and contract language. But it is, and I'm bound by restrictions on what I can and can't do. And Mr. Napier doesn't seem to care enough to try to work within my constraints or to help me find resolution. read more