DENVER — The Better Business Bureau of Denver/Boulder is investigating a roofing company that allegedly took thousands of dollars from unsuspecting victims.
The BBB says the owners, Aaron Lee Jackson and Mario Alberto Vasquez, operate several businesses with different names including: Hybrid Remodling Concepts, A Umbrella Roofing, Affordable Exteriors, Altitude Renovations, Hybrid Remodeling and Solar, Claims Adjuster, Home and Auto Claims Adjuster, Hybrid Remodeling Group, Hybrid Systems, MJN Sales, Prosales and Marketing, Jackson Roofing, and Amigos roofing.
Some customers accuse the businesses of taking payment and failing to complete the contracted work.
“Two weeks went by, three weeks went by, and he wasn’t answering phone calls,” Kathy Varone said.
Varone’s roof was completed on Thanksgiving, but it failed two inspections by the city of Aurora.
“Nails were coming through the shingles. They were bent. They used glue in places that nails were suppose to be used,” Varone said.
The BBB says it has also noticed a pattern of the companies going out of business and reopening new companies with new names.
The following tips are from the BBB:
- Get more than one estimate. Preferably, get three estimates before making a decision. Don’t be pressured into signing a contract right away. Do not make a decision at your doorstep. Visit www.findacompany.org to find and request quotes from BBB Accredited roofers.
- Know that anything you sign — no matter what you are told — can be considered a binding contract so read very carefully before signing anything.
- Get everything in writing. Cost, work to be done, time schedule, guarantees, payment schedule and other expectations should be detailed.
- Ask for references and check them out.
- Never sign a contract with blanks. Unscrupulous contractors might enter unacceptable terms later.
- Never pay a contractor in full or sign a completion certificate until the work is truly completed. Do not give a down payment unless special materials are being ordered, and even then you may consider writing the check directly to the roofer’s supplier.
- Insurance coverage may be rendered void if intentional misrepresentation by a policyholder is discovered.
- A catastrophe greatly magnifies the opportunity for insurance fraud and abuse. Don’t be tempted to conspire in an insurance claim. Insurance fraud is a felony.
- Beware of warranties offered from companies who are based out of state; question how the services will be honored.
- Find out if the company uses their own workers or if they hire individual, third-party sub-contractors. It is very important to know exactly WHO will be working on your roof and who is responsible if something goes wrong.
- Verify applicable licensing and permits with your city and county. Do not secure the permit on your own, and make sure the permit is posted before the work begins.
- Check out the company with the Colorado Secretary of State. This will tell you if they are registered with the state and when they were incorporated. This ensures that the company has a presence in Colorado.