Last week we received an email from our good friend and industry professional, Paul Graham. Paul was commenting on the cover story on the United Association of Storm Restoration Contractors (UASRC) in our May issue of RC. Here are his comments and my reply.
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From: Paul Graham I guess I am surprised at the article, pictures, and publicity. Aren't we in the Roofing Industry suppose to support the Local Guys who live there, work there, and will take care of problems for years to come? It all sounds good....but in North Texas, I have always encouraged friends to use the Local Guys who have been around 20+ years, have a place of business, and full-time employees. I don't have a dog in this fight because this is residential. Just wanted to stand up for the guys who are there everyday and do great work.
Paul Graham |
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From: Rick Damato Paul, It is great to hear from you. Hope things are going well out your way. As a freelance contributor I cannot speak for the magazine but can give you my opinion on this topic. My opinion on stormers expressed back in 2008 is the same today. Here is that column: http://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/editor-s-note-in-the-aftermath-of-a-storm The storm referred to in that editor's note produced one of the biggest rip-offs in roofing history. A company took hundreds of thousands in deposits and insurance checks and then failed to perform, leaving hundreds of homeowners with damaged roofs and no insurance money left to pay for them. The UASRC has been formed to educate roofing contractors engaged in the business of storm restoration and to act as a watchdog for their own industry to hopefully prevent another occurrence of this kind of fraud. Widespread storm damage, in many cases, simply cannot be handled by the local contractor base in a timely fashion. There is a need to bring in help from the outside and I feel like it is high time that some semblance of order be brought into the process. All that said, I certainly understand your viewpoint. Working in the roofing-oriented distribution business for nearly 30 years has endeared me to many of the local contractors of whom you speak. And frankly storms are upsetting to local business on many levels, including the "cliff" that comes when all the work is done and there is no more re-roof business around for five years or more. But this is a free country, thank the good Lord, and there is no reason short of their own initiative that any local contractor cannot compete with a legitimate storm-restoration contractor. I sincerely appreciate your reading Roofing Contractor, Paul. I especially thank you for taking the time to send us your comments. Your thoughts are always welcome here!
Regards, |
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From: Paul Graham That is a good reason and I appreciate the response. Lets see if it works. We have a huge number of Roofing Contractors running around North Texas right now. I try to see how many I have heard of before.....it runs about 1/3rd. Brand new $40,000 truck with magnetic signs or fancy paint job is the key. Just want the Roofing Industry to leave behind the old reputation that some of these guys cause. |
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From: Rick Damato Paul, May I have permission to use your comments along with mine (may be edited for clarity) in a blog entry?
Thanks, |
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From: Paul Graham (the last word) No problem. I will still support the Locals, and will look out for the 'others' - good and bad. |
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