Audio clip
Bill Cloud
A Georgia roofing company with an office in Chattanooga is the subject of more than 80 complaints to the Better Business Bureau in Atlanta relating to its work and has received an “F” rating from that group, records show.
Complaints against the company, American Shingle & Siding Inc., range from inferior work to consumers not receiving services for which the business was paid, according to allegations.
The Georgia Governors Office of Consumer Affairs is investigating the business and is in the process of subpoenaing materials and individuals, said Bill Cloud, a spokesman for the office.
“The company has taken money from people to perform a service and they haven’t done so, and the people who paid the money cannot get their money back,” he said. “We’re most interested in getting these people their money back if they deserve it.”
Jim Winsett, chief executive of the Chattanooga BBB, said it has received 90 to 100 inquiries about the business since June, which he indicated is a high number.
He said that in cases in which a consumer had a specific problem with the company, they were advised to file a complaint with the Georgia BBB because that’s where the business is headquartered.
No one with American Shingle & Siding Inc. could be reached for comment Monday. A recorded message said its offices have closed and plans were to reopen this week. A message left at a company customer service number was not returned Monday.
David Colmans, executive director of the Georgia Insurance Information Service, said some customers signed over to the company insurance money to be used for roof repair and then the work wasn’t done.
Colmans said the company apparently canvasses a neighborhood by sending sales people into it and telling people they have roof damage. Residents file a claim with their insurance company and the process begins, he said.
“We’re concerned ... about people being misled,” he said.
Christopher Garrett, a spokesman for the Tennessee Department of Insurance and Commerce, said its Board for Licensing Contractors has received a complaint related to the company and is investigating.
He declined to provide further information about that complaint.
Cloud said his office is “trying to get a full scope on where the company is and where it’s going” and what it can do to help consumers.
He said all the company’s sites locally have closed. While the company indicated it would reopen, he has not seen any evidence of that yet, Cloud said.
Better Business Bureau chapters issue reliability ratings on companies from “A” to “F,” and American Shingle & Siding received the lowest ranking from the Atlanta office. The BBB said it has received a pattern of complaints against the business.
The BBB said some consumers reported that after the company received the signed insurance checks, it waited weeks and sometimes months before work began.
“There were also complaints from consumers indicating difficulties getting in contact with someone after fees were paid and inferior work,” according to the BBB.
Also, some consumers indicated they never received a written estimate or itemized list of work, the BBB said, and the company mainly works for whatever amount is offered by the insurance company.
“Other consumers have indicated they were charged additional monies if the insurance company failed to pay more,” the BBB said.
Mike Pare, the deputy Business editor at the Chattanooga Times Free Press, has worked at the paper for 27 years. In addition to editing, Mike also writes Business stories and covers Volkswagen, economic development and manufacturing in Chattanooga and the surrounding area. In the past he also has covered higher education. Mike, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida Atlantic University. he worked at the Rome News-Tribune before ...
My husband and I have had very similar issues with another GA based company, TN/GA Roofing and Construction Services, we have made our complaints to the BBB and our situation is still not resolved. They have misrepresented themselves as a reliable company in TN, however they are not the same. Our own investigation into the company we learned they were suppose to have a work permit and did not. Damage has been done to our property and they refuse to repair. Our neighbors also have similar complaints and we all are looking to pursue further action against TN/GA Roofing and Construction Services. So I suggest to anyone looking to have a new roof, stay away from this company and completely investigate any contractor before turning over any money to them.
I am an ex employee of American Shingle, and can tell you exactly what is happening from the company. Last Wed. all the employees were called and told to get all belongings out of the office, that the doors would have the locks changed the following day. They informed us that they were still going to pay us and the sub contractors they owe thousands and thousands of dollars to, and also give the money back to the home owners. If this was the case why are they filing bankruptcy? The comment above is also true. The sales manager had a meeting Thur. at the office that was going to be locked and tried to get the staff to transition over into TN Roofing with him. Most did not, but some did. They are now going to past customers and telling them that the contracts with American Shingles are now Tn roofing's. They are even taking checks from home owners that are made out to American Shingle. Sadly there will be a lot more home owners impacted even after American shingle scandal runs its course. Customers BEWARE! If a contractor cannot show proper licenses and wants your money upfront and cannot even give you a date or tell you who will be doing the work, You should def. run the other way.
Also the owner of the company was on the news last night and stated, "It's not like it was the peoples hard earned money." Google American Shingle and it will be a line or so under their main web page.
How can he even suggest it isn't our hard earned money? I guess he thinks our insurance premiums just pay themselves. What an idiot! It's obvious American Shingles intended to ride this out until it could go no further, not caring who or how many were hurt along the way. I was so naive to this entire ordeal until now. I guess I'm fortunate to have not received my insurance check until recently, but I was a little worried when I immediately started getting calls from a former American Shingle employee telling me he is now working with TN Roofing, and they are handling all of American Shingle's customer accounts. He said he knew I was scheduled for a check pick-up this week, and would like to set up a time to come by. I made the mistake of not investigating American Shingle. I won't make that mistake again. Imagine his surprise when he gets here to collect this check and I have the police arrest him for fraud. Thanks for the heads up and helpful info.
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