Protect yourself from price gouging from contractors hired to clear your roof

When it comes to cleaning off accumulated snow, some roofs will require more work than others, but homeowners should be cautious and get a written estimate of costs from the contractor. Courtesy photo.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has issued a warning that homeowners take some precautions when hiring a contractor to clear their roofs of snow and ice.

The warning comes on the heels of several reports of roofs collapsing, mainly on commercial buildings, but also including some homes and barns.

Gov. Malloy suggests residents

• contact the Department of Consumer Protection for information about contractors and

• get a written estimate for services.

There have been reports of some contractors asking for upwards of $2,000 for their services, which suggests they are taking advantage of homeowners’ fears and the high demand for these services.

“We are getting reports of possible price gouging by contractors offering roof snow removal. The best advice is, if possible, to get a price from more than one contractor, and always have the contractor put the price in writing,” Gov. Malloy said.

Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr. echoed the governor’s advice.

“This isn’t a perfect situation – rooftops need to be cleared quickly – so a traditional contract between the homeowner and the contractor may not be possible. Even so, get out a sheet of paper and write out what the contractor has told you verbally he is going to do – ‘remove all snow and ice from rooftop for one hundred dollars’ for instance – and have the contractor sign the piece of paper,” Farrell urged.

“You don’t want the price to start fluctuating once the contractor is on the roof,” Farrell said.

Depending upon the nature of the roof, the homeowner should also specify in writing whether it is only the roof that is to be cleared, or whether ice needs to be removed from gutters as well.

Gov. Malloy said, “As we get more mixed precipitation and melting, those gutters have to be functioning or water could flow into homes and cause damage, so while workers are on the roof, this should be done as well.”

Price-gouging investigation

Farrell also cautioned Connecticut contractors that reports of price gouging will be investigated and pursued. “The sky is not the limit on the price that can be charged for roof snow removal,” he said.

“There has to be a reasonable basis between the size of the roof, the time involved in removing the snow, and a comparable ascertainable hourly rate – such as that for home improvement work – that would normally be charged for similar work under normal circumstances. Every situation will be different, but the test of whether price gouging occurred will be whether the contractor can justify the price using an objective standard.”

Gov. Malloy added that insurance coverage is another essential part of hiring a contractor.

“There have been instances of contractors falling off of roofs while doing snow removal – make sure your contractor is insured to do that work, before the work starts and someone gets hurt,” he said.

Another note of caution – anyone removing snow from a roof, whether homeowner or contractor, should be extremely careful of any kind of above-ground wiring and keep all tools away from power lines.

You can reach the Department of Consumer Protection hotline with this toll-free number weekdays during business hours: 1-800-842-2649.

Posted Feb. 7, 2011

In Mansfield – multiple snow days mean shorter February break

Children may be enjoying the first real winter in many years and the activities that go with all the snow, but the number of school closings means making adjustments to the school calendar. Original drawing by timtim.com, color added.

An unexpected series of severe storms and other dangerous weather conditions right at the beginning of what is normally a four-month winter season has wreaked havoc in day-to-day living, including school attendance.

The Mansfield Board of Education recently found itself – as is the case in many New England towns this year – discussing ways to ensure that children are out of school while there’s still some summer left to be enjoyed.

According to Superintendent Fred Baruzzi, this year’s school calendar includes 7 “snow days,” but clearly that isn’t going to be enough.

And so the Board of Education last week (Feb. 3) discussed the problem and came up with three changes to the school calendar.

In a notice emailed to parents today (Feb. 7), Baruzzi said the originally budgeted seven “snow days,” if all were used, would have students ending their school year on Wednesday, June 29, 2011, which is late enough in the month. However, not preparing for what looks to be a number of additional snowstorms could push the end of the school year into July.

Instead, the Board of Education decided on school calendar changes that will add 4 classroom days in the months of February and March (weather permitting):

the February break has been shortened from a full week to only Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 21 (President’s Day holiday) and 22 (adds 3 school days)

the March 21 Professional Development Day for teachers is moved from March 21 (which happens to be the second official day of Spring) to the end of the school year (adds 1 school day for children)

and the number of days school is in session is reduced from 183 to 182, which is still within the state’s requirements

“These changes will allow the student school year to end during the week of June 20, depending on any additional snow days between now and the end of the year,” Baruzzi said.

He also notes that these changes may cause some issues for families who made plans for the February break, and so these problems should be brought to the attention of the child’s school principal as soon as possible.

Parents also can address any questions they may have to the superintendent, who can be reached at 860-429-3350 during office hours.

Posted Feb. 7, 2011