Palm Harbor Roofers Palm Harbor, FL

Termite trouble leaves roofing dispute up in the air

COMPLAINT: Iris Szwarc, Clearwater, Fla.

"I hired B. Griffith Roofing Inc. to replace the roof on my carport for $2,000. Brent Griffith got on the roof and told me the wood was infested with termites and that I'd have to take care of that before he could put on the roof. I hired the people to do the [work] and told them to coordinate with Brent.

"After they completed the carpentry work, Brent looked at the roof and said the carpenter didn't put plywood on the rafters, and that I would have to pay for that. I told him he was supposed to coordinate with the carpenter, and if he couldn't do the work for $2,000, I didn't want him to do it at all.

"He went to the house the next day and took away the materials he had left. Now he's threatening to put a $1,350 lien on my house. I offered him $250 to cover the cost of the permit and his materials. He did not respond to my offer, and he did not do any work."

DESIRED RESOLUTION: "I would like Brent Griffith to withdraw his threat to put a lien on my house for work he did not do."

COMPANY RESPONSE: Brent Griffith, president, B. Griffith Roofing Inc.

"This member verbally authorized me to replace the carport roof. I obtained a permit, and my crew tore off the roof. This revealed termite-infested rafters and sheathing. The county inspector saw the infested wood and stopped the job.

"I informed the member that only a licensed general contractor could replace those parts. She didn't hire a licensed general contractor, but rather a guy named Bill, who was an "exterminating" company. When Bill called and said the job was ready for us to finish, my crew saw the rafters were replaced, but not the sheathing.

"This was that contractor's responsibility. When I told the member this, she became irate and threatened to get another roofer. I said that was fine, and I would bill her for the permit and labor I had incurred so far. She stated she would not pay me anything. I sent a bill and notice of intent to lien.

"My bill for $1,350 included the permit fee and my crew's time tearing off and hauling away the wood. This figure was relatively low and extremely fair."

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