I hired Matthew of Happy Roofing last year (November 2008) to shingle the entire roof and torch down the mansard and fake balcony portions of my own custom built home in Richmond Hill. We agreed on a price of which his labour portion was $6,000. I paid for all materials directly to a supplier which he recommended.
The agreement included the installation of shingles, mansard torch down, small fake balcony torch down, 2 skylights, flashing around the chimney, roof vents and valleys. He began in late November and by the second week of December, could not fully complete the undertaking due to the cold weather conditions. I held back $2,000 for the un-finished work and paid him $4,000. He began calling me in March requesting the other $2,000. I declined, given the amount of work remaining, shingles missing, etc.
By January shingles were missing, snow and water was coming in from the chimney area, the central portion and from the roof section over the front bay window. I wasn’t concerned, given that the house had no interior finishing and exterior masonry. The work continued on the home by April 2008. It was understood that he would return in early spring to complete the task. However the spring came and went and so did summer. By early August I began leaving him messages to come and finish. He finally responded in September. However, when he showed, he took 30 minutes to re-study the situation and then asked for additional monies ($2,700) up front before completing the work, saying he was “a man of his word” that he would return the following Monday. Again, I refused to pay up front, but upon the completion of the works to a water tight standard. He added that the missing shingles were “an Act of God” and that he placed extra material (ice and water) around the mansard flat roof. He claimed the fake balcony and skylights were not part of the agreement. He then left. I called and asked for an invoice of the work completed to that point including the GST to the tune of $4,000 (labour only). He refused.
I began looking for other roofers to complete, but to my horror, there seemed to be a code of honour between other roofers (contractors). They were of the opinion that I did not pay the previous roofer. I had to show them his signature on paper that he received the $4,000. I finally had several other roofers give their opinion of the status of my roof.
Three identified the mansard part was not tied of torched down properly, poor flashing with visible gaps of up to 6 inches could clearly be seen, only minimal ice and water shield was added, nails were placed up high on the shingles which contributed to them coming off. I was fortunate the funnel cloud in late August didn’t come near Richmond Hill.
So far the deficiencies have cost me $1,500 for the flat roof repairs, missing shingles, installation of the vents and flashing plus $400 for the installation of the 2 skylights. The fake roof is the only issue remaining, which the roofer (Steve of Shanks’ Roofing) said will cost an additional $500. Steve was very professional in his approach and completion of the repairs. I’m grateful for contractors such as him.
However, I don’t understand how this Matthew character could not take pride in completing the work, which placed me in a difficult position. I was not “Happy” at all. A suggestion would be for Matthew to change his company name to Miserable or Sad Roofing.
Frank D Richmond Hill
