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Is it wise to select the lowest bid?

By
Home Inspector with Superior Home Inspections - Greater Albuquerque Area InterNACHI 10041206

A couple weeks ago I did a Pre-Listing Inspection on the house in western Albuquerque. I don't know the whole story, but the owners adult son was care taking or living in the house while the parents were trying to get it ready for sale. Evidently, it was a rental that just got stale... I can relate, nobody takes care of a house like the owner!

So I was told by the Realtor that the roof had just been repaired. They removed all the clay tiles, replaced the underlayment, which is the real roof... or moisture protection.

On the inside, I saw stains in the ceiling, and knowing the roof has just been done I assumed they were stains from past leaks. But, I checked them with my moisture meter for good measure. Ummmm, these stains are new! 10% moisture absorption is wet!

So we got some active leaks going on here in this "new" roof. Wonderful...

 

 

Up on the roof revealed... a mess! Not sure who the contractor (and I use the term loosely) was, but it was a very sloppy job to say the least. There were a bunch of leftover tiles piled
 up on the flat portion of the roof structure. Wait... they removed the tiles, repaired the underlayment, replaced the tile, and had leftover tiles? Sounds like the mechanic that has leftover bolts after repairing your car. They went somewhere... why don't they go back like they was? you ask? Ahhh, they're just extras... you don't need em!

Slopped asphalt or roofing repair material all around the plumbing vents, mortar around
the chimney, there should be a cricket flashing on the chimney, and the correct boots or flashing around the plumbing and gas vents.

                                   

To top it off, the miter joint on the coping didn't exactly work out in their favor, so they used a rolled roofing material for a patch... on top of the tile!

                                

This "new" roof needs repair! I gotta say, I am not a big fan of tile roofs anyway. Sure they look pretty when they are installed right, but when and if you have trouble with them, you have to hire somebody that know how the system is supposed to work and they need to be installed correctly.

Unfortunately for these people, it's back to the drawing board! Sometimes, you get what you pay for and the cheapest is not always the best! These people will have to pay someone to do this correctly.

 

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Posted by

 
 
Fred Hernden 

 

 Superior Home Inspections

 

  505-588-9559

 

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 Albuquerque, Rio Rancho New Mexico and surrounding areas...

 

“My mission is to provide superior quality home inspections to my clients to ensure peace of mind so they can confidently make the largest investment they may ever make!"

                   

Please visit my website at: www.SuperiorHomeInsp.com for details!

                 

 

                                     

 

 

Comments (16)

John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Good Tuesday morning Fred Hernden -

I'd be really ticked off if that was my screwed up roof.  We really like our tile roof but they have to be installed and maintained correctly.  

Debbie ~ 

Aug 17, 2015 11:40 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Cheapest has a way of satisfying the "cheap" or thrifty gene but at what price?

Aug 17, 2015 11:42 PM
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

What a friggin mess. Looks like the son got bid from contractor for his parents, then did job himself and pocketed most of the money. The longer that situation exists, the more water damage would be be done inside.

Aug 18, 2015 12:24 AM
Tom Bailey
Margaret Rudd & Associates Inc. - Oak Island, NC

Good Morning Fred, the old say you get what you pay for never goes out of style. One needs to check references on anyone they hire for repairs 

Aug 18, 2015 12:29 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Fred - There doesn't seem to be any shortage of bad roofers out there, and not all of them even come in with the low bid. It's a pity the owner apparently never went up to take a look.

Aug 18, 2015 07:00 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Fred finding a trustworthy roofer seems to be an issue for many people.  And holy moly - that roof is a mess.  Amazes me how people call that a completed job and want to get paid for that? 

Aug 18, 2015 10:23 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

The lowest bid isn't always the best, whether we are talking roofs, clothing, or homes. Quality needs to be considered, and whoever installed this roof should have their license revoked.

Aug 18, 2015 11:44 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Bolts left over is a good analogy.

It reminds me of the people who install their own disposal and when done find the connector clamp in the box.  "Oh, what's this?  Well, it can't be important."

That roof is cute, and I don't know anything about clay tile roofs!

Aug 18, 2015 09:34 PM
Fred Hernden, CMI
Superior Home Inspections - Greater Albuquerque Area - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque area Master Inspector

Debbie - You are absolutely correct! Not much to like on this baby...

Richie - This bargain is going to end up costing them double... not to mention the water damage that was caused by the active leak!

Jeff - That could be the case! Ahhhh, kids...

Aug 19, 2015 12:39 AM
Fred Hernden, CMI
Superior Home Inspections - Greater Albuquerque Area - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque area Master Inspector

Tom - I agree 100%

Dick - You have to see examples of their work, and get some references... this is an expensive job and it needs to be done right... the first time!

Anna Banana - You can bet that the homeowner did not have the work checked before paying him!

Aug 19, 2015 12:42 AM
Fred Hernden, CMI
Superior Home Inspections - Greater Albuquerque Area - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque area Master Inspector

Pat - Ha! If that guy has a license it's a tragedy! A roofer he is not.

Jay - Ahhh, we don't need this stinking clamp... besides, it would be a lot of work to undo all the connections to put that thingy on there, just toss it! Clay tile roofs look pretty when they're done right but, tiles break, fall off, crack, and Fred will not walk on one!

Aug 19, 2015 12:48 AM
Chris Lima
Turtle Reef Realty - Port St Lucie, FL
Local or Global-Allow me to open doors for you.

I am disgusted by the workmanship. However; doesn't the city have to sign off on this repair/replace to properly close the "permit"?  There is much more to this than just shoddy work.

To answer your question, I think the bid is only the tip of the iceberg.  There are other factors to be considered ie References, length of time in business, warranty policy and good old fashioned customer service!

Aug 19, 2015 05:01 AM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

That is hideous repair! No one likes to live in a house with a leaky roof. It's no wonder the "rental got stale," as you say. Apt description. Why property owners who rent out their properties think people want to live in a house that is falling apart is beyond me. 

Aug 19, 2015 05:33 AM
Fred Hernden, CMI
Superior Home Inspections - Greater Albuquerque Area - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque area Master Inspector

Chris - The homeowner had this done, not sure there was a permit pulled. The permitting process and accessiblity here is terrible! You couldn't find it if it did exist... nuff said

Pamela - Or... as a landlord, you have to know that nobody will care for the property like the owner! Plus, this guy lives in another state, so he has no control of what goes on in his house.

Aug 19, 2015 07:52 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

What is that old saying? You get what you pay for.....there is a lot of truth in that one.

Aug 21, 2015 12:41 AM
Fred Hernden, CMI
Superior Home Inspections - Greater Albuquerque Area - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque area Master Inspector

Barbara-Jo - http://activerain.com/blogsview/4729780/you-almost-always-get-what-you-pay-for-#19342908

 

 

Aug 21, 2015 03:01 AM