Minor home repair gripe

[Orrex]

Last edited Sun Mar 16, 2025, 07:03 PM - Edit history (1)

In the waning days of Autumn I noticed one sheet of shingles slightly askew on my roof. Called around to a dozen+ local services but was generally told that they were booked solid through the season. One guy gave an estimate that exceeded the entire cost of the roof when we replaced it a decade ago.

Made it through winter, but now heavy winds have dislodged those same shingles. I've left messages for two dozen local services, haven't heard back in days.

WTF?

Granted, this isn't some $50K job that's going to make someone's season, but holy shit. When the time comes to do the whole roof, I absolutely won't call any of the places that ignored me.

Why is it so fucking hard to book a simple repair? I'd do it myself, but my ladder won't reach.

[Shermann]

1. I supposedly got an early season discount for replacement windows and doors which were quoted yesterday.

Last edited Sun Mar 16, 2025, 03:44 PM - Edit history (1)

That could be BS but that's what the sales guy said. They can start in May which is fine. I don't think things have really picked up yet here in the Southeast. Finding good help is always a challenge.

[Orrex]

4. My wife summed it up nicely

What we need is one of those handyman-types with a pack of cigarettes in the sleeve of his t-shirt, and one dangling from his lips as he scrambles up his wooden ladder and gets it done in like 30 seconds.

Nearly every place I called wants to schedule an appointment to schedule an appointment to schedule an appointment to schedule an appointment for an estimate.

[Shermann]

6. I got lucky five years ago and found an old-timer handyman

Not a company, just a guy working another year or two prior to retirement. He installed a new tile shower for me and did a bang-up job.

[dweller]

2. Might be cheaper

To get a taller ladder




✌🏻

[Orrex]

3. lol. Possibly.

[dweller]

5. It's pretty much the situation

I’m in … my ladder is just a step too short but I’ve used it to get on my roof , it’s getting down that’s hairy .
So I need a taller ladder to work on my roof . I found a telescoping ladder online thats cheaper than extension ladders that I may have to get . But it’s at Amazon so am reluctant to purchase it for now .

Good luck



✌🏻

[LuckyCharms]

7. I had to get about 5 shingles replaced.

I called the company that originally did the roof about 12 years ago.

They came out in a week or so and charged me $80.

I hear you, it's such a pain in the ass to get someone to the house, that's why I try to do everything myself. But, I don't do ladders and roofs.

[Orrex]

8. Got a guy!

I posted on my community's FB page. Tried that a few months ago and didn't get any response, but today I had about 10 people contact me.

He came out, gave me a quote about $100 less than I was prepared to pay, and will take care of it tomorrow morning.

[LuckyCharms]

9. That's great, Orrex!

[LogDog75]

14. That's good news

I don't know which state you live in but in California, I look at the state's website concerning contractors making sure they're license, bonding, and worker's compensation are up-to-date before we allow any work to be done on our small HOA complex. If the contractor doesn't have these then it's possible you could be liable for any injury happening on your property. I know a lot of people don't look closely at contractors and especially at handyman's licenses but they need to to protect themselves.

[efhmc]

10. You need a repair person, not a company. Look in your free local paper and go from there.

Good luck.

[Orrex]

11. That's kind of how it turned out

Seems like when you call a franchised company, every loose shingle is fixed by replacing the entire roof.

Found a local guy who stopped by today and will take care of it tomorrow. Problem solved!

[onethatcares]

12. here in sunny floriduh, pinellas county area

if you hire someone to work on your roof they have to be licensed or face fines or criminal charges for "contracting w/o a license" unless you are directly working with said person.
The licensing board even does stings to weed out those miscreants.

[Marthe48]

13. There is a site called Thumbtack

I found a handyman who was literally heaven sent. He and his wife, who was studying to be a doctor did all kinds of odd jobs for me. They moved to Alaska and it was hard to replace them.
But Thumbtack is a good place to look for local help.