Watch out for some Roofing Contractors

My home was hit by a hail storm in March of 2008. Aspens Contracting Roofing sale consultants were in our neighborhood pitching their service. The salesman was slick talking and made a lot of promises. First they want to get their sign in your yard. I found out this is their way of laying claim to your property and thereby eliminating the competition from competing. Even before I had agreed the salesman placed the sign in the yard. He even promised that his company would apply $200 for sign placement toward my deductible. First Red Flag ... get it in writing.
be careful... They are aggressive in getting you to sign the non binding contract... This is a market tool which tell the un informed consumer that they have some type of obligation... Don't sign it...
Another thing to watch for is they want you to sign the insurance check over to them and that they will handle all of the paper work. This is giving them to act as a power of attorney concerning your money DON'T DO IT. YOU KEEP THE MONEY YOU MAINTAIN CONTROL... Don't Do It... RED FLAG...
They wanted my check and they had not even provided an estimate. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE... Make them provide an estimate before the work... They will tell you they will do the repairs based on the insurance estimate. Don't believe them... remember this is what they do, therefore, they know how to come back later and eat away at the funds... I'm out of close to $800 that was allocated for some other work I need to have done. Aspen has it because I didn't follow my heart. Aspen Contracting made a lot of promises and failed big time ... in my opinion. Have an least three companies give you an estimate. I knew better but I didn't do better... Again, they know their stuff and the salesman was very persuasive. Slick and fast talking... AGAIN, HE MAKES A LOT OF PROMISES....
He bragged about their reputation and the warranty and craftsmanship. ASK FOR REFERENCES!!!! Check with real people not just the Better Business Bureau which they heavily push you to check online.
The roof repair was below average ! Messy craftsmanship... My personal opinion I believe the crew was recruited from the day laborers that hang around the local home depot... They rushed the job... some places had four inch overhang. Even a novice like myself could see that was not right... Shingle was bulky and protruding up... The salesman had all kind of excuses and constantly blamed the original builder of the subdivision. The house is ten years old and I have never noticed shingles having dipped marks and not lying flat... I wish I had taken pictures to show you... the back of my house have a noticeable flaw... The salesman did admit to this flaw... he had the roofers to come back out to corrects the flaws I pointed out... however, the most flawed aspect of the roofing has yet to be repaired... going on three weeks... I use to hear from the sales everyday... now he makes promises that he fails to keep... Initially I was going to have them to do all of my work... roofing and siding but after their poor work i cancel the siding work order. Another major problem... I'm waiting for the return of my insurance check so i can settle up with them and bring in the other contractors to finish my needed repairs. He's telling me they are still waiting on the check.
PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK...
WOULD I RECOMMEND THEM - BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE WITH ASPEN.... I WOULD RUN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION QUICKLY !!!!!!!!!!
Stay away from Aspen Contracting... My experience with them was not good and the drama is still not over. They have looked me in the face and told me one thing knowing they were not speaking the truth. STORM CHASERS.

Jay wrote:

My home was hit by a hail storm in March of 2008. Aspens Contracting Roofing sale consultants were in our neighborhood pitching their service. The salesman was slick talking and made a lot of promises. First they want to get their sign in your yard. I found out this is their way of laying claim to your property and thereby eliminating the competition from competing. Even before I had agreed the salesman placed the sign in the yard. He even promised that his company would apply $200 for sign placement toward my deductible. First Red Flag ... get it in writing.
be careful... They are aggressive in getting you to sign the non binding contract... This is a market tool which tell the un informed consumer that they have some type of obligation... Don't sign it...
Another thing to watch for is they want you to sign the insurance check over to them and that they will handle all of the paper work. This is giving them to act as a power of attorney concerning your money DON'T DO IT. YOU KEEP THE MONEY YOU MAINTAIN CONTROL... Don't Do It... RED FLAG...
They wanted my check and they had not even provided an estimate. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE... Make them provide an estimate before the work... They will tell you they will do the repairs based on the insurance estimate. Don't believe them... remember this is what they do, therefore, they know how to come back later and eat away at the funds... I'm out of close to $800 that was allocated for some other work I need to have done. Aspen has it because I didn't follow my heart. Aspen Contracting made a lot of promises and failed big time ... in my opinion. Have an least three companies give you an estimate. I knew better but I didn't do better... Again, they know their stuff and the salesman was very persuasive. Slick and fast talking... AGAIN, HE MAKES A LOT OF PROMISES....
He bragged about their reputation and the warranty and craftsmanship. ASK FOR REFERENCES!!!! Check with real people not just the Better Business Bureau which they heavily push you to check online.
The roof repair was below average ! Messy craftsmanship... My personal opinion I believe the crew was recruited from the day laborers that hang around the local home depot... They rushed the job... some places had four inch overhang. Even a novice like myself could see that was not right... Shingle was bulky and protruding up... The salesman had all kind of excuses and constantly blamed the original builder of the subdivision. The house is ten years old and I have never noticed shingles having dipped marks and not lying flat... I wish I had taken pictures to show you... the back of my house have a noticeable flaw... The salesman did admit to this flaw... he had the roofers to come back out to corrects the flaws I pointed out... however, the most flawed aspect of the roofing has yet to be repaired... going on three weeks... I use to hear from the sales everyday... now he makes promises that he fails to keep... Initially I was going to have them to do all of my work... roofing and siding but after their poor work i cancel the siding work order. Another major problem... I'm waiting for the return of my insurance check so i can settle up with them and bring in the other contractors to finish my needed repairs. He's telling me they are still waiting on the check.
PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK...
WOULD I RECOMMEND THEM - BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE WITH ASPEN.... I WOULD RUN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION QUICKLY !!!!!!!!!!
Stay away from Aspen Contracting... My experience with them was not good and the drama is still not over. They have looked me in the face and told me one thing knowing they were not speaking the truth. STORM CHASERS.

Thanks for the heads up - I'm in Houston and just got approached by Aspen, saying the same thing. Really appreciate the information and sorry you had (are still having) such a rough time. Good luck and thank you for taking the time to provide this.

I appreciate your input and the stress of obtaining 3 quotes. I'm in Houston area hit by Ike and was just approached by Aspen about 15 minutes ago as I have extensive roof damage. You have all the recollection of their sales pitch perfectly. I really appreciate the heads up as their pitch makes it sound really great...but what is it they say, if it's too good to be true... In spite of knowing that, desperation had me almost signing on the dotted line. I hope that others read your info and that your drama is over soon. God bless!

Unfortunately I live in Houston and was approached by Aspen. You explained the EXACT same sales pitch I received. Unfortunately I did sign that form and I am wondering how legally binding is it? I would like to use a local contractor but am worried that they would have some sort of legal recourse.

Aspen just left my house, guy said that his brother owned the company (they do have the same last name). I didn't sign anything and after reading this they probably will not do my roof.

I just wanted to give everyone an update on my story (original post Oct 15). I called the salesman with Aspen Contracting to mention I was getting bids from other companies and I would appreciate his as well and he got confrontational and threatened to put a lean against my house if I didn't use Aspen. If you hear these threats call the main number immediately and report the salesman. I spoke with the manager who was very apologetic but it's too late, I won't do business with a company that employs someone like that.

I wish I had seen this earlier. They just finished my roof and are insisting on full payment right away. He told me two days ago he would work with me and my mortgage company regarding the payment. He was told it would be a couple of weeks before any payments could be made since the insurance check was sent out for endorsement by the mortgage company. I now have to screen my phone calls at work and home because he won't leave me alone. Oh he also comes by my house whenever he feels like it.

Aspen stinks, plain and simple. And originally being from the Dallas area and dealing with hail, tornado's etc I have unfortunately had to have several roofs replaced. This time around after Ike we used Innovative Roofing (Jon was our salesman) I don't normally promote anyone but he did what he said, didn't bs us and the price was dead on. Definately get a few estimates and check references, it's worth it.

I, too, was convinced by 'Ron', the Aspen saleman that I needed a complete new roof after Ike, due to 'shingle flutter'. I probably do need a new roof, but after reading the comments above, I don't believe I want Aspen doing the job. I'm calling their office and begin cancelling my contract...

My roof has just been completed ... and it's a quality job. My insurance company denied my roof being replaced until the 2nd adjustor met with my Aspen rep. I did get another estimate that was 400 less (my deductable was the same ... 1800 no matter who did the work)I decided to go with Aspen because of the warrenties they offered and for the fact that THEY handled everything for me. That was the best 400 my insurance company ever spent.

I wish I would have read this review before I got involved with Aspen. They act like they are doing everything to help you but in reality they are trying to rob you and the insurance company blind. They never give you a quote for the work and nothing is ever itemized. They dealt with my insurance company and finally agreed on a little over $8000.00 My neighbor used them and their insurance agreed on a little over $6000.00. I find it interesting how our houses are the same size but the price is so much different. I do have to say they were very quick to do the work before someone else can. They asked for a copy of my insurance claim summary to find out what other money they might be able to get their hands on. After the work was completed they had the nerve to show up at my house with a final bill of over $10,000.00. I told them that I was not going to pay over the amount the insurance company agreed upon. They tried to justify the amount by adding a 20% overhead and profit charge for contractors. I called my insurance company up and was told that if they were going to charge the overhead and profit charge it should have been in their bid. My insurance did add on about $2300.00 to the overall amount for all contractors fees to be paid to me but said I do not owe Aspen any of it because it was not in their bid. Aspen came over to talk about the bill and agreed that I was correct and did not owe the fee to them because it was not in their bid. They said they would change the amount and fax me the bill with the correct amount. They showed me where it would say on the bottom to be paid to Aspen contracting or the home owner. They said it is always paid to the owner if you are in good standing with the mortgage company. Make sure you read the final bill carefully. They changed it to say "all work is completed please release the funds to aspen contracting". It also had written "Supplements (see attached description)". The only attached description said "Aspen Contracting, Inc. a General Contractor requires Overhead & Profit for projects involving 2 or more trades and/or is complex in nature". I think they thought I was just a dumb blonde female and would not read it all. I told them I would not send this invoice in and if they wanted to get paid they had to change it to say it had to be paid to me and the supplement had to come off. They always give an excuse and said they were in a hurry to get the invoice to me and it was just a mistake. I am not sure how they sleep at night after all the lies they have told me. We will see if the invoice gets changed and how the rest of my dealings with them goes. I don't think they know who they are messing with.

I saw this way too late. Joe was also my salesman. My adjuster miscalculated my roof footage, so needed a supplement. Also, 3 boards were cracked from the tree limbs that the adjuster didn't know about. I let Joe handle the extra with the insurance company. The figures that I got from the adjuster and Joe's didn't jive, so I demanded an itemized invoice. Thaey tried to collect an Engineer fee of $250 when an engineer wasn't even involved. They also listed state sales based on Houston area taxes which are higher. I contacted the State Comptroller's off and Aspen doesn't even have a sales tax ID, so cannot list it on a bill at all.

The roofers showed up with no appointment to start off with. Joe was suppose to be there to supervise. He showed up after I called him finally, but didn't stay until the entire time. When they pulled up the bad boards, one of the roofers started raking the debris into my attic! I stopped all work until Joe got there. They left shingles uncut and hanging over one end of the roof and Joe knew it needed to be fixed for an entire month and still had the gall to come after the money. Then he didn't bring anything with him to trim it up and actually wanted to use my scissors to cut it with. I finally called the main office in order to get it completed.

Now, the other day, they sent an Engineer out to do a windstorm inspection for a certificate. I told him to knock himself out, but know that I will not pay for a certificate that I don't need. I have a mobile home and the State of Texas does not, has never and probably never will issue a windstorm certificate to a mobile home. They are still calling. I still have not received the "packet" which Joe said was in the mail before Thanksgiving and doubt that I ever will.

Don't use them!

I encourage everyone that has had a negative expeirence with Aspen to go to the Yellow Pages link to share your story so no one else has to go through this nightmare. How they have almost 5 stars is beyond me. They probably write their own reviews to inflate the rating.

Aspen completed an estimate saying that $1000 would be deducted for advertising (Placing a sign in our yard).
We would have zero out of pocket expense. Also, they would upgrade the roofing material to 30 years.
Well things changed once we received our check from our insurance company. The price changed the salesman said we would owe $750. My husband called and complained and then in was reduced to $500. Huge red flag.
Needless to say we went with a local company and were very please with the results.
Good Luck!

I used Aspen to replace my roof from a hail storm that damage my property. After trying to work with my insurance company with no luck I turned to aspen they had done several roofs in my neighborhood and met with my adjustor three different time to insure my roof was replace. I am very pleased with the way my project turned out.

WOW, am I glad I found this. I just got my check from State Farm and called Aspen and asked for a price. My salesman said "we dont work like that". He then tells me he needs to see a copy of the summary my insurance company gave me. I am a single mother and I feel he thinks Im stupid. Aspen tried to have it where they were working with my insurance company on my behalf, but I am so thankful State Farm said they dont like to do that and now I am seeing why. My insurance company told me they add an additional 20% into my settlement for overhead and that alot of contractors feel they are entitled to that, and now I am seeing what Aspen is trying to do. Bottem line, if they cant give me a final price and it isn't close to 2 other bids I get, I guess they aren't getting my business.

I see this over and over, the homeowners have to be carefull. I have worked with most insurance in Texas, Florida, New Orleans and I know for sure that some companies try to take advantage of people. I have work with alot of homeowners and this is the first thing I tell them, " If you think something is not right when talking to your contractor, look for another one you trust. You need to take your time, find a local company, ask for tel. number of jobs they have done, look for good prices, you will save alot if you do you research.

to all the homeownwers, you deal with the contractor , the insurance is not responsable to pay the company you hire, unless you sign an agreement to turn the check to them. They will try to charge the entire amount the insurance is paying you. ask for a bid, don't show any insurance paper or what ever the insurance gona give you. Let them give u the amount and then dicide who you gona hire.

Mike,
My name is Chris, and I work for a company in Humble Texas called Zeus Roofing.. if you would like to have a free estimate done the right way, no hassles, and no pressure.. then you can call me at Eight Three Two, Three Seven Three, Four Zero Nine Seven (I had to type that coz it wont let me provide number format).
We are a local company in houston, and we provide a 5 year workmanship warranty, as well as pertinent education on the installation and basically the entire process of your roofing needs.
Chris

Mike C wrote:

Unfortunately I live in Houston and was approached by Aspen. You explained the EXACT same sales pitch I received. Unfortunately I did sign that form and I am wondering how legally binding is it? I would like to use a local contractor but am worried that they would have some sort of legal recourse.

I was an Aspen salesman for Hurricane Ike. I was absolutely new to roofing when I got into this stuff after IKE hit and I'll probably not do it again. I didn't like being away from home that long. Except for the comment about poor worksmanship (from which there is no excuse) every one of these comments paranoid, half true or worse. I have absolutely nothing to gain from stating that Aspem is a good company, yet that is exacttly what I'm doing. If there is an enemy here it's your lousy insurance companies. Aspen puts in writing that they work for "insurance proceeds." What that means is, if the good hands people don't pay a fair value, ultimately Aspen eats it. The thing about Aspen that ticked me off the most is that they never enforced a contract someone signed. If someone wanted out, they were let out. Period. And these complaints about Aspen putting a roof on your house without every 't' crossed and 'i' dotted.. how terrible for you. You mean, you have a leaky roof and no money to fix it and Aspen has the audacity to front the labor and the materials and install a roof without you being able to pay for it? How awful for you! Give me a break. Aspen is by no means perfect, but is a very solid company nonetheless. I would advise anyone reading them to take the above comments with a grain of salt.