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Anyone use Jorve Roofing?

(50 posts)

Started 3 years ago by Rudy
Latest reply from GTS206

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Roofing

Rudy

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Anyone here have any type of experience with Jorve roofing? Good or bad... thanks!

Posted 3 years ago #
Barbara

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We had our big, old roof replaced and Jorve was the finest roofers with the best crews and their sales rep, Norm, is first-class! You'll find a lot of cheaper (as in not good work/workers/whatever) but you will never be sorry you used Jorve. They tidy up after they are through and you will find the roofers quiet, hard-working--and they don't bring boomboxes or radios on site.

USE JORVE IF YOU WANT THE BEST QUALITY OUT THERE. AND, NO I DON'T WORK FOR THEM!! JUST ONE OF MANY VERY SATISFIED CUSTOMERS.

Posted 3 years ago #
Rudy

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Thanks Barbara! This is the type of endorsement I was looking for. :)
Anyone else?

Posted 3 years ago #
Barbara

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Hi, Rudy - Forgot to tell you that any Jorve roof will have "D" rings attached at the top for use later in the event you need to get on the roof and need a place to tie off for safety reasons. We have Jorve roofs all over Sunset Hill. Look for the silver "D" and you can check out what their work looks like as well.

Posted 3 years ago #
gordy

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They came here to do an estimate a few years ago. The estimator was overly pushy and aggressive and kept saying there were other things needing repair that they could fix for added cost (chimney and gutters). I just wanted a roofing estimate but he kept talking about extra work. After he left I called the company and told them to cancel the estimate. Another company was hired do the roofing and they said the gutters were fine. The chimney was checked by a mason and needed no repairs. Had the estimator not been so obnoxious, Jorve would have been considered for the roofing job.

Posted 3 years ago #
Rudy

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Thanks Gordy... out of curiosity, which company did you end up going with?

Posted 3 years ago #
Regulator

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Get multiple bids and do a cost/benefit analysis -- as with anything

Posted 3 years ago #
Rudy

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Yeah, that's my plan :) ...just seeing where others have had good/bad experiences

Posted 3 years ago #
Barbara

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What a surprise to find a negative about Jorve. They don't know the word "pushy". Hmmm. A neighbor with a huge roof of original thick shakes asked for a bid from Jorve. Rep told with a few patches the roof could last a few more years without problems. Jorve could have made a BUNDLE if they had wanted to--instead, recommended a small contractor to do repairs (no connection to Jorve Company) and the work was done perfectly.

I call that consumer friendly. We have five Jorve roofs on our block--all we checked with were very satisfied with Jorve and would have them work again for them.

Posted 3 years ago #
Rounder

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http://www.angieslist.com/Angieslist/

Posted 3 years ago #
Mymble

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Rudy.....We can only say GREAT things about 'Fisher Roofing' Mark Fisher is the owner, does the bids, and is ON THE ROOF DOING THE WORK! His #253 735-6605 <markfisher@fisher-roofing.net> Our experience with him: In the South end, 5 condo buildings, 5 carports, large tri level house, PLUS last year, our home and separate garage here in Ballard, the neighbor just north of us AND our neighbor to the south of us. His bids are generally somewhere between the high and low. Jorve's bid to do our roof was way too high.

Posted 3 years ago #
Rudy

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Awesome! Thanks for the recommendation Mymble. I can appreciate an owner that gets his hands dirty. I'll be sure to give him a call when I gather quotes. Thanks again. :)

Posted 3 years ago #
Catherine

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Twelve years ago, we used NW Roofcare. We are very pleased. They had to do a tearoff of 3 messy layers, and do some repair work that I required (they didn't suggest). One of our neighbors used them shortly after and they were pleased as well. Clean, quick, quiet crews. Both houses still look great. The Jorve roof on the house on the other side is only 8 years old, it lost several shingles over the past two winters. House styles are identical. Because the roof was done by the previous owner... the current owners are out of luck on the warranty. I'm sure Jorve would make it right had these owners had had the work done.

Posted 3 years ago #
Veets

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We had a horrible experience with Jorve Roofing. I'd post the details but Jorve is given to lots of "defamation" litigation and will even spy on your Facebook Wall to find out what you and your friends are saying about them; then serve you with legal threats. Suffice it to say, the abovementioned Norm started the steamrolling. It then proceeded to deception on Jorve's end, liens on the home, etc.

My advice is not to hire Jorve, period. If you do hire them, have a lawyer read your contract and instist in the contract that ang additional work must have a change order and a signature approving the aount by YOU, the customer. Don't believe anything they say verbally, get it in writing AND signed. They're a piece of work.

Posted 2 years ago #
SunriseSunset

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Please provide proof that Jorve Roofing spies on Facebook Wall and provide proof they serve you with legal threats.

My advice and the advice of homeowners on our street--including us--have had impeccable workmanship, courteous and respectful representatives and workers and we recommend them without reservation.

Sorry, Veets. Yes, they are a piece of work. And our block of Jorve roofs and owners are ALL satisfied.

Posted 2 years ago #
onederfullone

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Wow. I'm very familiar with Jorve, have had nothing but the best from them, have recommended them to everyone who asks. They did my current roof, my previous roof, and I subcontracted to them at least a dozen roofs in this area.

I put a lot of value in them as a company. Make sure you include them in your search.

Posted 2 years ago #
Veets

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Wow. Such defensiveness! Since I don't know if you're Jorve Roofing, or a friend of them, I think I'll pass on providing you the "proof" you demand. My advice stands: have a lawyer read your contract, insist in the contract on change orders signed by you if the scope of work changes-- eg, "verbal authorization" over the phone is extremely dangerous. Beware of language about "additional blah blah blah will be billed on a time and materials basis," because Jorve and other unethical contractors may try to use that language as them having a blank check. If you or others don't wish to follow my advice or think it's bad advice, that is certainly your prerogative. I wish I had been warned before I hired them for my project. I was shocked by their business practices.

Posted 2 years ago #
SunriseSunset

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Veets - it's a recommendation for their services. I am in no way affiliated with Jorve nor am I friends with any of the members of their company. Met the representative, received the bid which was one of three, hired them and they did a superb job.

My word, back off from the words "defensiveness" "demand" "unethical business practices"; someone asked for my experience with Jorve and I gave it in the spirit of helpfulness.

Obviously, you are giving a negative experience--no need to hyperbolize, however.

Posted 2 years ago #
Veets

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The original post in this thread was:

"Anyone here have any type of experience with Jorve roofing? Good or bad... thanks! "

You had a good experience. I had a bad one. You described your good experience. I described my bad experience.

Why should I "back off" from terming their business practices "unethical"? They WERE unethical in my experience and you have no knowledge of my experience so you are hardly in a position to tell me to "back off". I'm not telling you to "back off" from calling them superb. If that was your experience, I am happy for you. It certainly wasn't mine.

Nothing to say about my contract advice, huh? Interesting. Have a good evening.

Posted 2 years ago #
SunriseSunset

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I read every single word of every single piece of paper from Jorve and, of course, one needs to make sure of what one wants, what the fine print says and how to find recourse if the expected bid does not match the work to be completed.

But I do not agree one needs an attorney to put thumbscrews to a company that has an excellent reputation, many positive reviews and has years of experience roofing homes all over Ballard, Sunset Hill and indeed, Seattle.

Do your homework is excellent advice. Do not look for some hidden motive, my friend. There isn't one. Have a good evening.

Posted 2 years ago #
Veets

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I'm not suggesting a hidden motive. I'm saying that you are a stranger I met on the Internet who is telling me not to report my bad experience with Jorve Roofing. You are also suggesting that I am a liar by demanding that I provide "proof." With all due respect, I find that a tad obnoxious. Cheerio.

Posted 2 years ago #
Anonymous

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Rudy, which company did you end up going with?

Posted 2 years ago #
SunriseSunset

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And, with all due respect, we are indeed strangers with opposite experiences with Jorve. I was asking for further information--in no way calling you a "liar." I've no reason to think you are telling untruths. No need to bicker.

Veets = negative experience with Jorve Roofing

SunriseSunset = positive experience with Jorve Roofing

To each his/her own, eh? So a cheery evening to you, too.

Posted 2 years ago #
SunriseSunset

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Thanks, kohi - a bit of a stumble there. Good to pull the thread taut on the question Rudy asked.

Posted 2 years ago #
onederfullone

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"Jorve and other unethical contractors" is libelous friend.

Posted 2 years ago #
Veets

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Nope. Not if they ARE unethical. And I'm not your friend.
P.S. Is there a legal term for trying to intimidate a dissatisfied customer from giving Jorve Roofing a negative review on the My Ballard blog? ;) See ya.

Posted 2 years ago #
onederfullone

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m-kay, do you unsertand that if you sign a contract that you do not understand and get screwed in the process, that does not mean that you can call the other party in the contract unethical?

That would make you unethical, correct?

Anyway, sorry to Rudy for throttling this veet (not my friend) on this thread.

Best of luck to ya.

Posted 2 years ago #
Veets

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Well, that is a bit of a distortion of what actually occurred. But this back and forth between us is is pointless, no? The man asked for positive and negative reviews based on experience. I provided a negative review. Then you started in with the insults and threats. Very interesting dynamic.

Good night!

Posted 2 years ago #
pennygirl

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I think Rudy put his roof on a loooong while ago :-)

Carry on!

Posted 2 years ago #
onederfullone

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Well, that is a bit of a distortion of what actually occurred

You mean like this?

Then you started in with the insults and threats.

You really have a bit of trouble with the truth don't you? (not a threat or an insult, merely my observation as a layman)

Anyway, as dear neighbor pennygirl has turned my focus to, this thread is a year old.
So you really dug this one out to piss on it. I don't care why, but your advice is a tad late, but you knew that, I didn't.

Posted 2 years ago #
pennygirl

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Thinking about it 1der, Rudy had his house torn up during the World Cup - so Veets is only about a month too late...

Still too late though :-)

Posted 2 years ago #
volvoguy

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Rudy: You might also check out Fuller-Anderson Roofing. They're local and have been around a long time (1951). We had them give us an estimate and intend to have them do the work. I was impressed with the fellow who came out - he was a roofer, not a salesman and he impressed me as really honest and knowledgeable. Jorve does a lot of advertising on radio and t.v. - got to be a lot of overhead.

Posted 2 years ago #
great idea

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exactly volvoguy.

it's like food. don't buy it if you hear it marketed heavily on T.V. and radio.

Posted 2 years ago #
Rudy

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The thread lives! I actually have not chosen a company yet :) I was in the budgeting phase when I posted this originally.
In fact, I don't have a roof on my house at all! :-/ It's a massive remodel and quite a sight at the moment. Roof should be going on in a week or two.
Thanks again to everyone for providing some insight. Volvo-guy, I'll include Fuller-Anderson in the quotes. :)

Posted 2 years ago #
ballardsucka

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First off, my qualifications are that i was a roofer, although it was quite some time ago. As important as a roof is, the reality is it is a job that is quite difficult to screw-up, especially given the materials used today. If you're talking about a basic tear-off (or a re-layer, which is even easier), putting down some new plywood and laying architectural composite shingles... in my opinion going with a company like Jorve is complete over-kill. I'm sure they do fine work, but I had a rental which needed a new roof last november (sort of an emergency situation you might say), and I called Jorve out of curiosity. Their bid came in at more than triple what I got someone else to do it for. Check out angie's list, their are a ton of qualified independent tradesmen out there looking for work, get several bids and check references. I got my guy to sign a twenty year warranty, of course i have no doubt that i won't be able to find the guy even five years down the road, but for the money i saved i could have two more new roofs put on the place. They also were very curteous, didn't disturb the neighbors, and cleaned up ALL of the debris when they were finished, even the stuff that blew in the neighbor's yards. companies like Jorve have tons of overhead with office space, marketing people, dispatchers, etc, etc, etc. It is also not uncommon to find small areas which need repair in the underlying structure, i have heard horror stories about the exorbitant costs these operations charge for repair, often times for a work that can be done by just "sistering up" lumber to the existing structure. It's not rocket science people. I had a similar issue around my chimney and my guy called me at work and all he charged me for was his normal hourly rate and the cost of the materials from the local home depot which i picked up on my way home...increased the cost by maybe 65 dollars. I inspected the work myself (like i said i used to do carpentry/roofing) and he did a great job.

Again the job entails laying out sheets of plywood, nailing them on, rolling out sheets of tarpaper, stapling, laying out shingles, nailing. It really is a job any do-it-yourselfer can manage...the benefit to finding a professional is they have the equipment already and will do the job in one-twentieth the time it would take you to do. It is honestly the easiest construction job out there.

Caveat: If you are doing something more extravagant like a cedar shake roof make sure the person doing the job has experience with this type of roofing, it's much more of a craft...may be worth going with someone who specializes in this type of work because of the investment.

edit to say that i went with a guy named mike who has a company down in olympia called "always roofing". look him up on angie's or craigslist.

Posted 2 years ago #
TandM

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I'm also gathering bids. I had "A Better Roofing Company" out and they gave me a bid the same day. They also gave me an extensive list of references in the neighborhood that I could contact. All the roofs looked great and I talked to one customer who highly recommended them.

I had Jorve out on Saturday for a bid. They did not provide me a bid on the spot, and didnt seem as friendly as "A Better". I do however need masonry work on my chimney, and Jorve can take care of that which is a plus.

I'm waiting for the final bid to make my decision.

Posted 2 years ago #
Rudy

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Ballardsucka: that's a great point. my roof couldn't be easier actually. It's new construction, so no tearoff...they don't even have to lay the sheathing, just roll some paper, flashing in the valleys and simple composite shingles. A large company may indeed be overkill.

Posted 2 years ago #
ballardsucka

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do you know how many squares? i have a small rental that's about 10 squares with a small decorative dormer, one chimney and a few vent pipes. i think mike charged me just around 3200 bucks including disposal, jorve wanted somewhere around 9 grand, other similar large roofing companies came in slightly cheaper but still twice what you could get an independent guy to do it for. as a general rule, the nicer the website the higher the price. those sales guys and project managers (for a roofing job?) need to get paid too, and you know they make at least double what the laborers are getting paid, and with most construction jobs unless it's a kitchen where materials can get quite pricey, the bulk of the cost is labor.

Posted 2 years ago #
Rudy

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Yeah, the overhead can get a bit out of control. I was calling insulation contractors and one insulation guy (sales) had an assistant to answer phones and make appointments for him. It all costs money. I get that some people get a better sense of security with the job if people are in shiny polo shirts...but I've been on enough job sites that I know better. :) I may ask you for Mike's number. (I don't know exactly how many squares...but it's a simple roof..no chimney, a few vents)

Posted 2 years ago #
Barney Stinson

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My girlfriend and two of her friends briefly rented a house from that Jorve owned in Eastlake. 3 months after signing the lease and moving in, Jorve decided they wanted to remodel the house. Without any notice, they shut of the water and told them they had to use the honey bucket in the front yard (Shared with construction workers). Meanwhile, they tore of the front porch and began ripping up the downstairs unit in the house (split level separate rental units). They essentially told the girls they had to deal with it since they were going to remodel. Finally after threatening legal action against Jorve, the girls were put up in a hotel while looking for a new place to live. They were eventually let out of their lease and given their deposits back.

This does not speak for their roofing skills, but I do think it speaks for their character.

Posted 2 years ago #
PlantLover

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Our roof is pretty steep - neither of us want to tackle it.

Has anyone used State Roofing? We are considering going broke getting one of those fancy recycled rubber shake roofs that last for 50 years. It costs alot, but they look nice and we will never have to think about a roof again, since we plan to stay in this house.

Posted 2 years ago #
BallardTrees

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Thank you, experts and consumers, for taking the time to post. I will be negotiating a contract for a new roof in the next couple of years--the first time I will undertake this formidable-sounding challenge. I have "favorited" this thread for reference when the time comes. (Fortunately, my roof is small and looks as if it would be very straight-forward to do.) I am fully expecting to find a great roofer at a great price, thanks to this helpful thread.

Posted 2 years ago #
Chickster

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You can also check out Tukwila Roofing Service...they serve the Seattle area, too.

Mr. Chickster has hired them the last three times when he's needed a roofer for his contracting jobs.

http://tukwilaroofingservice.com/

Posted 2 years ago #
Veets

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Well, I for one am glad Rudy got his roof.

BallardTrees: Check out Mountain Goat Roofing. Several of my friends had excellent experiences with them. www.mountaingoatroofing.info

Posted 2 years ago #
Veets

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p.s. to ballardsucka: you're absolutely right. I would have saved $$ if I'd gone with a different roofer, and had a very good roof in the end, and regret that I did not. I can testify that another big part of Jorve's "overhead" is the multiple law firms and notaries to lien your home they have on retainer. I expressed my concerns with overbilling and deception to the senior management of Jorve. I outlined my issues, and said I would like to discuss my concerns and come to an understanding. 2 days later they liened my home and started sending me threatening legal letters. I would never do business with them again. They are very litigious, and in my experience shockingly dishonest.

Posted 2 years ago #
Alonzo Neighbor

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Veets and Sunrise Sunset are right about the contract. I had a major remodel done on my older house and some things came up that were not specified in the contract. Having had past experience with this I mentioned that we would need to do change orders and also a new contract for additional work separate from the main remodel. Well, I got suckered into just paying the additional labor (was told he would be fair - ha!) and materials and am pissed at myself to this day because I was way overcharged for labor. Luckily, I had kept track of the hours so we were able to get back some of the overcharge (we stopped payment on the final check until things were resolved). I don't see a need for an attorney, just keep everyone honest with contracts and change orders. Get everything in writing (costs for materials and labor) and make sure you get to review the costs submitted by any subs before work is done. Lessons learned:(

Posted 2 years ago #
Alonzo Neighbor

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My husband was in the family roofing business for 30+ years and did a few years as a roof inspector for commercial and public buildings. He was recently impressed by the work and product on a local house done by Northwest Roofing Systems, located close by in Interbay. This company has an A+ BBB rating. They seemed to be quick and clean on a pretty small and easy house roof in our hood.

Posted 2 years ago #
idbill

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When I bought my house in 2001, the roof was in bad shape and the detached garage roof was leaking.

I called several places, but what stands out in my memory is that Jorve was almost twice the cost as my other estimates.

At the time I didn't pay for things on credit, but I only had the cash to fix the garage which needed to be fixed asap.

The Jorve rep said they wouldn't do the garage because it was too small of a job. He wouldn't even give me an estimate for it.

I found a local (family operated) roofing company who put a torch-down on the garage, and they got my business 9 months later.
(Unfortunately I don't believe the company is around anymore, but I wouldn't hold that against them. They were doing a lot of work when I hired them.)

BTW, my roof is pretty straight forward (50' x ~25')... the tear off and replace took just over a day... no dumpster required!

Posted 2 years ago #
mommyoftwo

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Hey Rudy, some people that do assistant work actually have ownership in the companies. We hired a contractor that has an assistant and she is his wife so I actually dont think she makes a thing except off of the work itself. So not everyone that claims who they are, are who they are. Some companies, have an image to protect or perceive because they all are doing what they can to seem professional and respectable. I know enough now being around rental properties my whole life with contractor's you want a local, friendly, invite your contractor over to bday parties kind of guy. This guy is around your kids, around valuables, around your neighbor's and you want them not to be pissed off. A big company is going to over charge but you know if a company does advertising, I wouldn't hold that against them that they have alot of overhead. They may have gotten a good deal!

Posted 2 years ago #
GTS206

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We had very good luck with Westurn (that's how they spell it) Roofing. A roof on my house and on another I sold a few years later. They also put that strap and D ring on the roof they did most recently for us I think its code now

We had 4 companies make bids, they weren;t the least expensive but much less expensive than Jorve. I had Jorve do a bid on my house and wasn;t comfortable with the way I was treated by them and the bid was quite a bit more than the other contractors.

Posted 2 years ago #