.....a new roof......!

[Dionne]

I was away on a work project when a large limb fell out of a Pecan tree and punched 2 holes in our roof.....not big holes.....it took me about 4 hours to repair when I got home. There was some water damage. Just for the heck of it I called our insurance company. We got thrown into a risk/casualty pool after Katrina. We're in the northern most declared disaster county. The adjuster comes out and starts asking questions.....mostly about the numerous areas that have been patched as the shingle color never matches with a patch job. I told him the truth......it was Katrina damage we never filed a claim on. A few minutes ago I got a call from the adjuster.....we qualified for a complete new roof to the tune of $140 per square!

[Pburgh]

Wow, what a great surprise!!!
It's great seeing an honest person who doesn't take advantage or feel entitled and gets rewarded.
Good for you!

[HURAKAN]

Good news. Congrats!

[vbhoutex]

Did a crooked adjuster slip through the cracks? J/K Glad you got that good news!! As I am sure you see over there still we still have many blue roofs around the Houston area.

[breeze]

Don't ya love those kind of surprises? Congrats on the new roof! I found out last year how
expensive they are when I had leaks that weren't related to any specific event - just an old
roof. I had a new metal roof put on to the tune of $4000, but it's good for 50 years, and
that's such a relief not having to listen to *drip - drip - drip*!

[Dionne]

We've almost decided on metal.....my cost is right at 3K.

Now I'm dealing with color issues......not me.....Bec my wife of 27 years (I thinK).....cannot decide.

I suggested Pizza Hut Red. She laughed and went out the door to yoga.

[CajunMama]

What a sweet surprise! Good things happen to honest people.

[Stephanie]

Good for you! It's nice to hear about good things happening to good people.

[MGC]

Go with metal...we had put one on just before Katrina and it came through the storm intact.....MGC

[Dionne]

We have run into glitches. The tree that caused the damage must go before we (I) install the new roof. The tree, a large Pecan is just across the property line. It is mixed in with our power and telephone......and hangs over nearly half the house. We're on the end of the electric grid.....the nearest transformer is 3 poles away. The power is going to have to be shut off at the transformer and disconnected from our home. This means that other homes in our neighborhood will go without power during the cutting of the tree. Which is a problem for a variety of reasons......everything from medical to electric fired furnaces to hot water.

Now enter the single largest problem. I cannot find a tree service willing to tackle the job without my signing off and releasing them from any additional damage. I spoke with the adjuster.....he will allow only an additional 10% above what has already been paid. Which is really a moot point as I cannot even get an estimate from any tree service.

If I was 20 years younger.....this wouldn't be a problem. I'd cut it myself.

[Stephanie]

It's going to cost way more than the additional $300 (10% of the $3,000) the insurance company will pay unfortunately.

I since you've already patched the roof, and I'm assuming that the adjuster paid you the $ already for the new roof, I'd go ahead with getting that tree cut down so that you do not have to contend with more damage. If there's electrical issues for medical purposes, then perhaps a generator can be rented for the down time. I'd use the money that you've received for the roof, pay for the tree to get cut down and use the remaining money on materials towards a new roof.

Of the tree services that you've contacted, check out their history thoroughly so you can feel comfortable about signing off on a release.

[Dionne]

I will not sign a release. That's why these companies carry their own liability insurance. I've posted the job on Craigslist. Maybe that will get a hit. We can get around the power problem.....it'll be a hassle.....but it can be done. The real biggie is finding a qualified tree man. If the tree eats up all the money, than so be it. The tree has to go before any additional work is done on the roof. The patch is sufficient for now......but it's important to remember.....it's just a patch job.

[CajunMama]

Wouldn't the property owner of whose property the tree is on be responsible for part of the cost of cutting the tree?

[Dionne]

Wouldn't the property owner of whose property the tree is on be responsible for part of the cost of cutting the tree?

We know the adjacent property owner. He's a friend. The law reading is ambiguous on property lines and trees. It's confusing.

I've got a man coming down from Jackson. He responded from Craigslist. He doesn't use heavy equipment. They climb and use ropes. I meet him at 7AM. He's going to bring his two sons. Says he'll do it tomorrow......if we can "get on the same page".

Will advise.

[Stephanie]

Good luck!

[Dionne]

Wouldn't the property owner of whose property the tree is on be responsible for part of the cost of cutting the tree?

We know the adjacent property owner. He's a friend. The law reading is ambiguous on property lines and trees. It's confusing.

I've got a man coming down from Jackson. He responded from Craigslist. He doesn't use heavy equipment. They climb and use ropes. I meet him at 7AM. He's going to bring his two sons. Says he'll do it tomorrow......if we can "get on the same page".

Will advise.

So this guy that was supposed to be here at 7AM calls and says he'll try to get down sometime today to look at the job.

[Stephanie]

Wouldn't the property owner of whose property the tree is on be responsible for part of the cost of cutting the tree?

We know the adjacent property owner. He's a friend. The law reading is ambiguous on property lines and trees. It's confusing.

I've got a man coming down from Jackson. He responded from Craigslist. He doesn't use heavy equipment. They climb and use ropes. I meet him at 7AM. He's going to bring his two sons. Says he'll do it tomorrow......if we can "get on the same page".

Will advise.

So this guy that was supposed to be here at 7AM calls and says he'll try to get down sometime today to look at the job.

NEXT!!!

Did you get anyone else to respond?

[Dionne]

The tree man showed up.....and it was worth the wait! $750 to drop 3 trees......the pecan and 2 china berry trees....price doesn't include clean up....it's just to drop the hazard trees. They will be working off the roof and ground as well as climbing and roping off. The guy has 30 years in the trade. Happy! Happy!

[somethingfunny]

Good quality pecan wood resold is probably worth the cost of removal!

[Stephanie]

THAT'S FANTASTIC!!!