BY BRIAN MAASS
Suzie Boyd, who has worked in the roof-roofing industry for 43 years, said that she’s never witnessed anything like what CBS News Colorado uncovered.
CBS News Colorado obtained a 2-and-a half minute video surveillance. Boyd said that the behavior displayed by this salesman was not typical of our industry.
Video was taken on Aug. 22, when David Kuntz of Timberland Exteriors of Colorado was checking for hail damages in Parker’s Newlin Meadows subdivision. Homeowner said Kuntz informed the family that they would need a new roofing system due to damage from hail. He told them to file an insurance claim as “he can cover it all.”
Kuntz did not know that a camera was recording as he examined the garage door of a home. It appears that he uses a tool to make dents in the garage door.
Boyd has worked in the roof industry for over 43 years. She currently works for Academy Roofing, and was the former president of Colorado Roofing Association.
Boyd said, “It is disheartening to hear such things.”
His compensation depends on the amount of sales and size of claim. “If the amount of claim is higher, then so is his compensation.”
In an interview on CBS News Colorado’s camera, Kuntz admitted that the footage “didn’t look right.”
It was bad. He said, “It was a bad day.”
He said he used his thumb to press inward on the garage doors “trying feel for hail dents and trying to determine if they are insulated or otherwise”. “I’m not causing damage (to help the homeowners).”
When asked if Kuntz used a tool for the dent, he said that he did not. He only uses his thumb.
In several spots on the video Kuntz appears to have been using a metal tool to press in the garage door.
Boyd said, “An act like that is detrimental to our work.” There are definitely bad actors in the world right now.
After watching the video, homeowners decided to not file an insurance claim for their house.
According to the insurance sector, hailstorms in Colorado have resulted in an estimated damage of $5 billion over the past decade. In a three-year period that ended in the recent past, insurance companies reported a 34% increase in questionable hail damage claims.
Boyd stated that she did not believe what she saw on the video to be a typical practice. She said, however, she was aware of this happening in other places but never had it captured on film.
Boyd said, “He is inflating his claim.
National Insurance Crime Bureau provides the following advice to help you avoid fraud by contractors:
Contractors who rush to complete non-emergency repairs or those that are temporary should be avoided. Ask your friends or neighbors for recommendations when looking for contractors. Anyone who knocks on your door and offers to make repairs without your permission should be avoided.
Paying upfront for work is never a good idea. Before paying, always inspect the job and ensure that you are satisfied. The majority of contractors require an upfront payment, which is reasonable. However, you should not pay until the contract has been signed.
Compare bids and get three written estimates. To find out if there are any complaints against the company, check with the Better Business Bureau and the state Attorney General’s Office.
Have a detailed written contract which clearly outlines the work that will be done by your contractor. This includes labor costs, materials prices, cleaning procedures and an estimated completion date. Signing a blank contract allows a contractor to alter it after you have signed.
Do not believe any contractor that claims to be supported by the Government. FEMA does not support individual loan companies or contractors. For more information, call FEMA at 800-621.FEMA.
Pay with a credit card or a check instead of cash. It will create a receipt for your contractor.
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