Web Extra: Don't be a sitting duck for costly roofing scams
Well, the Defenders found out that politics and special interests have made Texas a roofing scammers paradise. Texas is the only Gulf Coast state that doesn’t license roofers. Alex Winslow runs Texas Watch, a consumer watchdog group. He says making licensing the law would make roofers behave. “Accountability for roofing, is slim and none as it stands today.” ...every time a roofing licensing law has been introduced in the past five years, Fuentes says, he and his lobbyists went to work. Like in 2005 when the last version of the law came up—meeting with this man—Representative Kino Flores, Chair of the House Committee on Licensing.

Web Extra: Don't be a sitting duck for costly roofing scams
May 8, 2008
By Mark Greenblatt / 11 News Defenders

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 Get ready because hurricane season is just weeks away and that means so are the con artists that pose as roofing repairmen.

That can ruin your home and your savings.

But the 11 News Defenders have discovered Texans are missing a basic protection from these crooks.

The way it stands today, the roofing contractor you hire could have just walked out of prison and you wouldn’t know any better.

Why?

Well, the Defenders found out that politics and special interests have made Texas a roofing scammers paradise.

Like every state, Texas has its traditions like hurricanes and violent weather.

Becky Ray, 45, knows.

She’s lived in Texas for most of her life. “We had a major storm and damage occurred to our roof. We had water coming into my living room (laughs).”

And just down the block, her 68-year-old sister also had a damaged roof.

But then one of the sister’s saw a sign and hired a roofer.

“I thought they were a legitimate company,” said Ray.

They handed over their trust and nearly $8,000 and waited.

First weeks, then months went by as nails were hammered, shingles were added and roofs fixed.

It was happening everywhere in their neighborhood except their homes.

Ray: “Three months later I still have no roof.”

Greenblatt: “But he’s got your money?

Ray: “He’s got our money.”

But what happened to the Ray sisters is another Texas tradition known as the roofing scam.

That’s where storm damaged neighborhoods are swamped with con artists promise good, quick, repairs, but just take your money.

But the Defenders have discovered one more state tradition that makes it easier for them to rip you off:  Texas is the only Gulf Coast state that doesn’t license roofers.

Alex Winslow runs Texas Watch, a consumer watchdog group.

He says making licensing the law would make roofers behave. “Accountability for roofing, is slim and none as it stands today.”

11 News photo

 

But right now, if you have a problem, Winslow says “good luck”. You could go to a court of law and try to hold that roofing crew accountable, if you can find them.”

So what about law enforcement?

Well, when it comes to scam roofers they say they have their hands full.

“We get enough to keep us very busy,” said Valerie Turner.

She’s with the DA’s Consumer Fraud Division. “We’ve seen it remain a problem over the years. Because consumers don’t have a state agency or clearing house to go check, they can’t be proactive when they hire someone.”

But experts say there’s another problem.

Believe it or not, shoddy work can have dangerous consequences.

Take shingles for example. You’re supposed to use six nails to attach them. But many untrained workers only use four or even three. That makes them much more likely to come loose in a high wind and damage property.

In fact, a Department of Labor study found that’s exactly what happened in Texas during Hurricane’s Katrina and Rita.

Their recommendation is that roofers be state-licensed.

So what’s the hold up?

Meet Frank Fuentes. “I don’t believe we need licensing for roofing contractors.”

He’s the head of the U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association.

Fuentes: “Again, I’m going to answer you with a question.”

Greenblatt: “Well hold on, why not answer that question?”

Fuentes: “Because I’m going to answer it with a question.”

He’s not wild about licensing roofers.

Greenblatt: “There is no program for roofing contractors.”

Fuentes: “For roofing, but for contractors there is.”

Greenblatt: “But I’m talking about roofing contractors.”

Fuentes: “If you’re going to talk about roofing contractors than I’m not gonna support it!”

In fact, every time a roofing licensing law has been introduced in the past five years, Fuentes says, he and his lobbyists went to work. Like in 2005 when the last version of the law came up—meeting with this man—Representative Kino Flores, Chair of the House Committee on Licensing.

He delivered a message.

“Not to him, but to the other members of his committee,” said Fuentes.

The result?

The bill died.

“I’m not sure it even got voted on,” said Fuentes. 

Winslow says he’s not surprised. “Large moneyed special interests have blocked this legislation every chance they get. Bottom line is they’re looking for a way to cut corners.”

And what about consumers?

“If they do their due diligence, they’ll understand who they’re hiring without that person being registered,” said Fuentes.

Greenblatt: “And if they need to do their due diligence, as you say, why not give them more tools to do that?”

Fuentes: “(pause) Because I’m not sure if you’re giving them another tool.”

But just tell that to consumers like Becky Ray. She’s still waiting for her roof or her money. “Well, next month it will be one year.”

The 11 News Defenders made many attempts to contact the chairman of the Licensing Regulation Committee, Kino Flores. Thursday, he finally returned the calls and said he had not influenced by lobbyists, but says if a similar bill comes to his committee, he will make sure it comes to a vote.

Finally, it should be made that there are many good, reputable roofers out there, some of whom say they support licensing.

http://www.khou.com/news/defenders/investigate/stories/khou080508_jj_roofingscams.de6f4337.html