Dilemma'd
Folks, I have a dilemma. I need to have my roof redone. And since I have a rather complicated roof, complete with three ridge lines, a semi-flat area, two valleys and a dormer window (and a partridge in a pear tree), the price is not cheap. Also? This economy stuff? Not helping.
So far, I've received six quotes. The lowest beats out the next by $1,500, coming in at $7,000. The highest is $12,000. I have two more quotes coming in, so it's not final yet.
My dilemma? After the lowest company, L, came over to look at my roof, my neighbors came over. He's a retired sheriff, and their son works for the state government, on the child sex offender registry. One of the owners of L is on that list. He molested a child in 1990. According to my neighbor, I need to be careful, because a lot of construction type companies hire 'people like that'.
My first thought is that takes them off my list. But then I received their quote, and the other quotes. And my wallet, already struggling to pay normal bills, is screaming to just make sure the boys aren't home while the roofers are here. Is that horrible?
The mother in me is screaming that it is horrible, that I don't even want a someone related to that person near my home.
The fiscal side argues that $1,500 is a significant amount of money to me, and that just because I hire a different company does not insure all of their workers are safe either.
Which makes me think I'll just make sure the boys aren't home alone no matter which company I go with. Which leads me back to the cheapest company, especially as I have to get a loan for this and I'm already not certain I'll be able to.
Also, if I didn't go by price at all, but by the quality of the quotes and information given, L would win. They are highly recommended by several places, certified and trained and all that. Better Business Bureau shows no complaints. Their quote lists out exactly what steps they will take, materials they will use, everything that is included and how much each part will cost. The majority of the other quotes merely lists something along the lines of "do roof" and that's that.
My head has done a lot of yelling the past day or two, and I have a huge headache.
5 Things People Said:
I think you should just make sure the boys aren't home alone with whatever company you go with. Did the sheriff know the specific crime? It could have been horrendous and scary or it could have been a 19 year old boy having sex with his too young girlfriend. Not that I approve of older boys taking advantage of girls, but it is in a different realm entirely.
Good luck. It would be a hard decision. But how do you know the other companies won't send out someone even worse?
That's a tough one - but like you said, the situation could be the same with any of the other companies.
In general, I think you want to be around as much as possible whenever someone is doing work on your house for a lot of reason. Who knows whether or not someone will try to get into your house while you're not there?
Realistically, in my opinion, you have to go with what you can afford, and then just work in the necessary precautions around that.
Can you have your Dad come over and "supervise" on days when you can't be home?
Like Carrie said, there's all different degrees of sex crimes, until you know for sure, maybe there's no issue.
Bottom line, if you're even more comfortable with that company's quote for both cost and itemization - go with them. Then do what you have to do to make yourself comfortable with the boys.
well. jeez. i dunno. lot of help i am. but frick, $1500 is a big difference.
Yes, as others have said, it could be true of any company. The company itself sounds really upright and real - the detailed quote, etc - and it seems more along the lines of "the devil you know"... I like the suggestion of other, trusted, adult supervision when you can't be there, whether your Dad, or other adult in your circle...
Good luck, girl! and especially with the loan piece.
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