a couple of weeks ago i found a leak in my roof and called a guy to fix the leak, and so he came to our house and got us an estimate and it sounded pretty fair.
the next time he came he wanted more money and charged us more than what he said last time, and started to work on the leak. but then he broke a pipe while trying to fix the leak in our roof, and so not only did he not fix the leak, he also broke a pipe--and when he found out he broke a pipe he took off right away.
what should i do?? we're stranded here..and who knows when it might rain again.
2006-12-26 08:54:07 · 22 answers · asked by fefe 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
First of all: the big question: Did you get anything in writing ? if not your screwed. On the first part. The second repair: You shouldn't have paid him the amount he quoted you but for the first time, not the second.
When He broke the pipe, you should have recorded that right away and called his company, more then likely they have no idea what happen and won't. You'd better call them right away and report it to someone there.
All in all, you were guilty of neglect of your own personal business and, keeping tract of what was going on. Don't let it happen again.
In this day and age of computer cameras and digital camars it's amazing what people ignore.
2006-12-26 10:40:53 · answer #1 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take pictures of everything.
Option A:
Call your homeowner's insurance and see if you're better off filing a claim with them and letting the insurer sue the company.
Option B:
First, did you get the estimate in writing? Is he licensed to to the repairs he attempted? I'd contact whoever licenses him, if he's licensed. If you just hired some guy without licensure and he was supposed to have one, then you might be stuck.
Does he own the company, or is he just an employee who fled? Have you followed up with him/the company?
There's really not enough here to know what the best course of action is.
2006-12-26 16:59:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They first thing you should have got together before any money or repair were made was a written contract between you and the company/man you hired. If may be very difficult for you to sue him without a contract, because in court it'll be hard to prove he broke the pipe, he could say it was already broken, hopefully you have a written contract. Good luck
2006-12-26 16:56:59 · answer #3 · answered by sarabmw 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can you prove that he broke the pipe?
Have you paid him anything? And did you get a written estimate from him the first time he came out to give you one?
I'd get a free consultation with a lawyer and see what he/she says. You might have a case.
2006-12-26 16:59:28 · answer #4 · answered by liddabet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could sue him but he might just lie in front of your faces and say that he never saw you guys cause you guys don't have a written agreement that he'll fix your roof
what you should have done was when he acme to do an estimate. type up a small contract and have him sign it saying that thats the amount you guys agreed on and he'll come on this day and finish by this certain day.
2006-12-26 16:56:48 · answer #5 · answered by sellatieeat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1st off you need to call the police and get the paper work started on that end.
2nd you need to call your insurance person and get that ball rolling.
Ask the police and the insurance person about your legal right in your state. I hope you have all the contact information for this fly by night repairman. Was the repairman a licensed contractor? If he was you can also press charges on a state level with his contractors license broad
2006-12-26 17:59:33 · answer #6 · answered by zen522 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
File a claim with his insurance company. If you neglected to get that information BEFORE he started the work (I always ask for a copy of the policy AND I call to verify, so there!), then you'll have to file a claim with YOUR homeowners ins. policy.
That's what it's there for. Call the Better Biz Bureau and file a grievance with them. Usually small claims lawsuits cost more than they are worth.
2006-12-26 16:56:17 · answer #7 · answered by Munya Says: DUH! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get ahold of the company. Tell them that if they do not fix the problem "FREE of charge" you will take legal action. Take pictures of all the damage's. If nothing happens go talk to a lawyer right away.
2006-12-26 16:58:06 · answer #8 · answered by Morena461 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you should definately sue
thats horrible about what happened to your house sadly
but you should sue because he raised the estimate price by alot from wht he told you
and because he didnt do anything to fix it he only made it wors eand broke a pipe
2006-12-26 16:56:57 · answer #9 · answered by rachael:) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hope you didn't pay him in advance! Yes, I would take him to court! Hire a licensed, reputable professional to fix the issues to now worry about when it rains.
2006-12-26 16:58:25 · answer #10 · answered by Joe S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋