BENBROOK -- It happens after every disaster: Scammers swing into action to try to make a quick buck off storm victims when they're the most vulnerable.
“We have been in the business for 22 years, and this is the first time we got ripped off,” said Rita Patel, who owns a Benbrook convenience store.
After a hail storm last year, Patel’s insurance company gave her more than $17,000 to repair the store’s leaking roof and gas station canopy. Patel contracted Aztec Construction Group of Grapevine to get the job done.
She is one of dozens of consumers who allege the company took her money in upfront deposits and never returned to complete the contracted repair work.
Patel says the company won’t return her calls.
When News 8 tried calling the company’s owner, the voicemail box was full.
“We don't trust any roofing company anymore and I don't know how many other people he's done that [to],” Patel said.
Nick Hobbs is one of three others that tell News 8 the same thing happened to them.
“It's extremely frustrating,” said the Sanger resident, who also contracted Aztec Construction Group to repair his roof after it was damaged by hail last year. “Our insurance okayed $5,000 worth of repairs. He came over to our house, we filled out the contract, and we handed him over the check from the insurance company.”
But he says Aztec never did the job.
“So I called the [Better Business Bureau] because [Aztec Construction Group] had an A+ rating on the BBB, and I reported what had happened,” Hobbs said.
The rating has since been downgraded to a F.
In light of Thursday’s hail storm, the BBB of Fort Worth issued a warning to consumers about the company saying, in part:
"BBB®’s investigation into Aztec Construction Group indicates the business has a pattern of complaints concerning customer service, contract and refund issues. The company has received an increased number of inquiries; 868 within the last 365 days and since November 2014, has received 24 consumer complaints. An Industry Comparison of “Construction & Remodeling Services” was conducted, revealing Aztec Construction Group was one of the most complained about companies in BBB of Fort Worth’s service area, having received between 5-25 complaints in the past 36 months.
"In most cases, consumer complaints indicate that after signing a contractual agreement with the company, scheduling a start date and paying a deposit (insurance check, deposit, or payment in full) the business would never show up to perform the homeowner’s roofing repairs. Complaints further allege difficulty reaching business management to resolve such concerns. When communication was made, the business would reschedule and continue to push back the start date, but ultimately never showed up to complete the job. Some complainants state they’ve had communication with owner, Argel Cital, requesting refunds, but have yet to receive them. All complaints to BBB state that Aztec Construction Group took consumers money, but left them waiting months without repairs, avoided communication, and/or failed on delivering promised refunds."
If you’ve had an unsatisfactory experience with Aztec Construction Group, the BBB’s Fort Worth bureau asks that you contact them at 817-332-7585 or file a complaint at www.fwbbb.org.
The BBB offers the following tips for selecting a roofing contractor:
- Check with your insurance company about policy coverage and specific filing requirements. Save all receipts, if temporary roofing repairs are necessary.
- Although you may be anxious to get things back to normal, avoid letting your emotions get the better of you. Don't be pressured into making an immediate decision with a long-term impact. Be proactive in selecting a business and not re-active to sales solicitations.
- For major repairs, take time to shop around and get 3-4 estimates based on the same specifications and materials. Check out references that are at least one year old, verify with your local government to find out whether or not businesses are required to be licensed/registered to do work in your area, and check with your local building inspector to see if a building permit is required.
- Be wary of door-to-door workers who claim to have leftover materials from a job “down the street” or who do not have a permanent place of business. If salespeople go door-to-door, check to see if your community requires them to have solicitation permits.
- Be leery if a worker shows up on your doorstep to announce that your home is unsafe. If you are concerned about possible structural damage in your home, have an engineer, architect or building official inspect it. While most roofing contractors abide by the law, be careful allowing someone you do not know inspect your roof. An unethical contractor may actually create damage to get work.
- Require a written contract agreement with anyone you hire. Be sure their name, address, license number, if applicable, and phone number are included in the contract. Read and understand the contract in its entirety, and don’t sign a blank contract. A copy of the signed contract is to be given to you at time of signature.
Proposals and Estimates
Clearly written proposals that are detailed and broken down into separate line items are a good sign that the contractor is being thorough and has prepared an accurate estimate. The following is a partial list of items your estimate or proposal should include:
- The type of roof covering, manufacturer and color
- Materials to be included in the work, e.g., underlayment, ice dam protection membrane
- Scope of work to be done
- Removal or replacement of existing roof
- Flashing work, e.g., existing flashings to be replaced or re-used, adding new flashing, flashing metal type
- Ventilation work, e.g., adding new vents
- Who is responsible for repairing/replacing exterior landscape or interior finishes that are damaged during the course of the work? Make sure that it contains language addressing who is responsible for any damage that occurs as a result of the work. All items of concern and work to be done should be included in the contract.
- Installation method
- Approximate starting and completion dates
- Payment procedures
- Length of warranty and what is covered, e.g., workmanship, water leakage
- Who will haul away the old roofing materials and/or project waste (e.g. extra materials, packaging, etc.)? Is there extra charge for this service?
