Opinions on"Titan Contractors" Replacing Roof

Updated on June 18, 2010
R. asks from Dallas, TX
8 answers

I just had someone knock on my door and offer to have my roof replaced. They would cover my insurance's deductible if I put a sign in my lawn. Has anyone done this before? Also have you had any experience with this company. We were planning on contacting our insurance to get our roof replaced. It does need to be. It would be really nice not having to pay the deductible. Any thoughts?

TIA!

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So What Happened?

They have an A- rating accoring to BBB. They also have insurance and a license. I googled them and no negative complaints came up. However, after reading the posts below I am going to go with my original gut feeling and not use them. We do have storm damage and my husband thinks it needs to be replaced. Ours is worse than our neighbors and they just had theirs replaced by the insurance. I plan on talking with our insurance agent and look for referrels to another company. Thanks for all the GREAT advice!

More Answers

B.K.

answers from Chicago on

If they have to knock on my door, then there is something wrong with how they are doing business. I would rather hire someone recommended to me by a friend or neighbor, and hire a local contractor based in the area. We had hail storms about two months ago and I have had about 2 dozen knocks on my door with offers to replace my roof and deal with my insurance. The thing is, it is MY insurance. I called them and had an adjuster come out and look at my roof and THEN decided what I was going to do. Never let a contractor up on your roof without your insurance adjuster and yourself up there. They could do damage just by being up there.

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P.R.

answers from New York on

Check out three things:

1) Your local Better Business Bureau to see if they are listed or reputable. Sometimes small companies do not appear but if you can get good reliable references elsewhere (such as friends or family who have used the contractor), this is OK.

This article is helpful:

http://our.bbb.org/Houston/Public/Reports/RR/PopUp/Tip.as...

2) Angie's List (www.angieslist.com) has a fairly good overview of local contractors in your area with client reviews. I've had mostly good results finding contractors thru this site.

3) Not sure why you are contacting your insurance to have the roof replaced, unless there was storm damage of some kind. This looks like a smoke screen to divert your attention from the fact that it is the contractor, not you necessarily, who has to have insurance.

What you need to do is to ask any potential contractor for:

* First, a home improvement contractor license number - any roofing work done on your house should be done by a licensed contractor. If anything happens during or after the work is done, and he's unlicensed, you are on the hook and your homeowner's insurance will not reimburse you. Google "verify contractor license Texas" to find your state's online license verification - it will tell you if the license is valid, who it's for, and the address. I've had more than my share of contractors trying to pass off relative's or buddy's license numbers as theirs.

* Second, a certificate of general liability insurance with your name as the certificate holder AND and as an "added insured" on the contractor's policy. In case there is any damage, BOTH must be on the certificate or you will not be covered by his policy. It will come out of your pocket instead. To be on the safe side, have your insurance agent check the certificate to see if it's OK and call the insurance companies listed in the certificates to verify the information on the certificate (policy #, amounts, expiration date, and if there's coverage in your state). I've had a couple contractors beat around the bush about issuing these or trying to pass off phony certificates - any honest reliable contractor will give you a certificate as it is a common request (more from businesses than homeowners as most don't know this) and it has no additional cost.

* Third, a certificate for workers' compensation insurance, with you listed as the certificate holder. Have your insurance agent check it to see if it's OK and call the insurance company listed on the certificate to verify info and that there is coverage in your state (beware of out-of-state contractors, coverage usually does not cross state lines). This certificate is critical - many contractors do not have WC insurance and if one of their workers gets injured on the job, you are on the hook and they will come after you and everything you own.

* For added protection, get an umbrella insurance policy along with your regular homeowner's insurance, for the value of your home. It costs a relatively small amount (about $250 for $500,000 coverage/ year) but will protect you in case of an accident, damage or neglgence on your part related to anything - not just contractors.

* Get the proposal in writing - materials, costs, estimated time, warranty for labor and materials.

* Find out if you need a building permit to have a roof replaced, from your city or town hall directly Do not rely on the contractor to give you this info.

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L.K.

answers from Kansas City on

I'm in Kansas and know nothing about Titan Contractors. But I personally would not let someone do anything to my house who just knocked on my door. You have no idea who they are, what kind of work they do, if they'll finish the work or even if they'll be around a year from now.

I'm not sure about the insurance thing either, but I don't think the insurance company will pay just because you want it done. If there was some kind of damage, unless it's a major hail storm they usually just want to patch it instead of a complete re-roof. That was our experience anyway.

Good Luck

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

No, these types of things are sketchy.

Or, you can check with the Better Business bureau, and check out their history/complaints etc.
NEVER sign/retain someone to work on your house, without checking first. AND their license and liability license too.
AND check them out on the internet....

did they give you their business card? Phone number? The person's name? You can check all of this out on the internet. Too.

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C.T.

answers from Dallas on

My husband has been in insurance claims for 12 years and he complains about roofers more than anyone else. It seems many of them will do whatever it takes to get money out of either the homeowner or the insurance company. Be careful!

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P.F.

answers from Dallas on

I would suggest contacting your insurance Agent first. Each company handles things differently. I had a similar situation and my agents rep is coming out to give an estimate of 1) if work needs to be done and then
2) the amount of $ they will provide. Apparently roof repair is a little different. If I get bids under the amount I'm good, if it bids higher then I have to go back to the company. Some companies send their own contractors. I'd check with them first for sure. Good Luck!

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G.A.

answers from Dallas on

Call Astro Roofing they are awesome and depending on the insurance I came out ahead as did two other neighbors. G. W

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J.J.

answers from Dallas on

check with BBB first!!!! be careful, very careful about using them..................

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