APOPKA, Fla. – An Apopka couple and their insurance company are out of tens of thousands of dollars after a roofing company cashed an insurance check but hasn’t replaced the roof.
Steve and Yvette Coleman hired Hurricane Roofer to replace their roof following hail damage.
Steve Coleman said he chose the company because several neighbors had used Hurricane Roofer successfully.
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“So my neighbor was already getting a roof replaced with this company, so they referred me to them,” he said.
After Hurricane Roofer inspected the roof, Coleman filed an insurance claim, which was initially denied.
The company then referred him with The Lawgical Firm to help fight the claim.
“They said that they will be able to fight on your behalf with the insurance company,” Coleman explained.
According to court documents, mediation resulted in the insurance company settling the claim for $44,000.
One check for $16,000 was made out to the law firm, and another for $28,000 was payable to Steve and Yvette Coleman, Hurricane Roofer and Rocket Mortgage.
“We need to endorse. Hurricane Roofer would endorse and then send the check to Rocket Mortgage for them to hold the funds and distribute when the work is complete,” Coleman told News 6.
However, the insurance company confirmed the $28,000 check was cashed on July 29.
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The Colemans signed a contract outlining the scope of the work with Hurricane Roofer two days before the check was cashed, on July 27.
The contract stated work would begin in six to eight weeks.
Now, nearing mid-November, the couple’s roof has not been replaced and the money is missing.
“I don’t trust him to do the job, so I want my money back at this point, so I can look for another roofing company to do the job,” Coleman said.
News 6 visited Hurricane Roofer’s office on Lake Underhill but got no answer.
We also called and left messages for owner Tim Fickes.
Fickes responded via text message in part: “I had a significant commercial job on a church roof that was completed, passed inspections, and was compliant in all areas...Unfortunately the church has refused to make payment, which trickled down to non-payment to my subcontracted roofing labor and material suppliers. I will continue to operate in good faith and assure you that there is nothing illegal or ill intended in our business dealings.”
The Apopka Police Department encouraged the Colemans to file a fraud report, which they have done.
Steve Coleman warned others, “I wouldn’t trust them with anything. You see Hurricane Roofer, stay far away from them.”
After our initial story aired, News 6 heard from a managing partner with The Lawgical Firm.
“We are horrified by Hurricane Roofer’s delays, and we encouraged Mr. Coleman to seek the advice of an attorney that handles roofing contractor disputes,” Tamara Braz wrote in an email to News 6.