Ramona Adams signed a contract with Conroy's Roofing back in October and paid more than $3,500 to have her roof fixed.
The problem? The contractor hasn't even started the work
A hail storm hit her home April 11, 2016. Her insurance company sent her a check for $3,500 to have the roof repaired under a few conditions.
They said it must be fixed within 365 days, leaving Adams with plenty of time to find a contractor. She started with Angie's list and came across Todd Conroy Roofing and General Contracting. In a matter of days she hired Todd Conroy.
"I signed a contract on Oct. 25 last year. He said he had another job ahead of me, but he could have it on by Friday of next week," said Adams.
She offered to give him her insurance check, but Conroy asked that she put the check in her account, and write him a personal check for $3,524.24. Adams said it was cashed in two days, but the roofer didn't show up.
"He said, 'Something came up, but I'll have it on by Friday of next week,'" said Adams.
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Another month went by and the same excuses kept coming, but still no repairs, no refund, and no roofer in sight. Adams said she visited the address on his business card to get answers, but the location turned out to be his home. When she arrived, she said Conroy was in the process of moving out because he was evicted.
NBC 5 Responds called Todd Conroy and someone answered, but immediately they hung up. We called Conroy several times after that, but still, no answer.
Conroy's Roofing and General Contracting LLC is not a registered business with the Secretary of State's Office, which is required for anyone doing business in the State of Texas.
We also sent Angie's list two emails inquiring about its requirements for roofers and contractors to be featured on its page and received the following statement:
We do not know the process Ms. Adams followed to “find” the business listing page as we just yesterday learned of this situation and began to review it. What we do know is that she could not have relied on Angie’s Lis information to hire the company in question because we have no detailed information about the company other than its name and contact information. This kind of detail is obtained after you sign in and read the verified consumer reviews we have received along with the grades prior customers have assigned to the company, if we have received such information.
The page view used on your online story would be akin to a page out of a phone book or a billboard. None of the rich detail that is available to Angie’s List members who sign in. In fact, there are two places on that page that alert the viewer that there are no reviews or grades on the company.
Consumers cannot accurately assume anything about a company simply listed within our directory. They must view the grades and/or reviews to understand the company’s performance as described by prior customers. The company you reported on had no reviews and no grades.
Angie’s List displays information we receive on the companies within the directory because we want consumers to know as much as we do about the available service companies. Generally, our members hire companies with good grades and a good track record based on grades and reviews and avoid those with poor grades/reviews, or no grades/reviews.
As Angie's List told NBC Chicago, the company has its own research department which, a spokeswoman acknowledged, can check up on contractor licenses.
The spokeswoman added that the company makes it clear in its listings that it relies on the word of each business "to confirm they are properly licensed for the work they advertise in the areas they serve." They say when someone questions a company's status, whether that company is an advertiser or not, they conduct an audit and take appropriate action on what is found.
Adam's insurance company has agreed to give her an additional 180 days to get her roof fixed.
She's thankful for the extension, but doesn't believe Todd Conroy will ever come back.
In a situation like this consumers should always let their insurance know what's going on. You likely won't get more money from them, but chances are your insurance will work with you on the deadline.
Here are Samantha Chatman's Solutions:
- You should always be mindful of paying upfront. NBC 5 Responds hears from many folks who say their contractor never came back after they paid them
- Always research the company. Angie's list may not be enough
