Complaint Review: Metro Construction

I too have been a victim of a disgruntled former employee on Ripoff Report. Here is my opinion, so take it for what it is worth. This "complaint" seems incredulous, even were it not to have been put out there that the author is a former employee. If consumers were to believe every word, then perhaps Metro Construction does not need them as a client anyway.  The term this former employee complains of, a fee of 30% of the total contract price in the event the consumer cancels the work, is industry standard.

This is not something specific to Metro Construction, and certainly not "hidden" amongst other terms of the contract, nor is it put there to "screw" a consumer where a ripoff report, like this brazen one, is called for. Regardless, a consumer has a right to ask to reject a term, or not sign the contract, right? So, all consumers should read before they sign, perhaps ask to add or modify terms, and if they don't, then I guess they are a victim of their own intelligence or lack thereof.

Additionally, we were never offered a "waiver" or otherwise for our deductible, and were advised payment of our deductible it is due upon competeion of the project. Our rep has been to our home twice, and was timely and informative. The author of this complaint should be ashamed to have made such an incredulous report, and just moved on to another employer. My guess is, he has already done so and complained about that one as well. We plan to use Metro Construction, and will certainly advise of our experience when the work on our home is complete.

In response to the last post, I would argue that Metro Construction doesn't step outside the behavior exhibited by many other roofing companies. In fact, in my experience I've found most of the employees and management to be genuinely concerned for the customer.

1) Metro Construction does NOT pay for deductibles.

2) Only roofing permits are required to install insulation in Denver.

3) Drinking might happen around the office, but I have never seen anyone on a residential job drinking or on drugs. Who doesn't let loose after a day of work?

4) Yes, the crews are legal and hardworking citizens.

We have had a number of disgruntled ex-employees leave in a short period. Several of them are starting their own roofing company. Another stole a significant amount of money from the company. I would encourage anyone doing research on Metro to consider that when reading suspect online reports.

although it probably could have been brought to light without the comments about illegals, etc. To the best of my knowledge the crews were legal when I worked there.

Different industries likely have different regulations but when Metro trains you, they are very clear to tell you that it IS illegal for the company to pay the deductibles and, yes, they squirm around it the same way that most roofing companies do - they offer a "sign allowance" that just happens to be the exact amount of your deductible.

Yes, there is a significant amount of drinking and some drug use on the job. In fact, its quite common for members of the sales staff to be tanked and stumbling through the office.  It is also common knowledge that the roofing crews don't use OSHA required safety equipment.

What might be more interesting is that they are not licensed in the city/county of Denver to blow insulation so the hundred or so insulation jobs they have done in Denver were done by an unlicensed contractor and WITHOUT pulling the required permits and the homeowners never knew.  I understand that there is the possibility of the homeowners receiving violation for illegal work if they get caught?

The sales staff is trained to put the bare minimum of information on the contracts that homeowners are asked to sign - usually "for insurance proceeds" or "per adjusters report" so you never really know how much the roof is going to cost and, if you sign over your insurance checks, you had better be sure that you keep careful track of anything on the claim that wasn't done by Metro because the excess funds will only be returned to you if you call and demand it. Otherwise, they will simply adjust the price of the roof to show no money owed back to you. 

Metros Achilles heel is their Better Business Bureau rating - they are very uptight about keeping it high so any BBB complaints are resolved fast! If you are having a problem with them - be sure you file a complaint even if you aren't looking for a resolution - that way it will go on record to warn the next people.

My wife has worked in insurance for the past 4 years. I brought this to her attention while I was researching this company. She's told me that it is not illegal for a company to absolve the cost of your deductible. It is done every day by windshield replacement companies. They waive the cost of the deductible so you don't have to pay it. The deductible is the portion of insurance 'you' owe. If a company chooses to pay it for you, or if you pay it, it can be done legally. 

Please do research before flagrantly filing complaints.