Omaha-area homeowners have new roofs but permits were not pulled by contractor

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - After hiring the same contractor for storm repairs, several metro-area homeowners are left with unfinished projects and questions about the work that has been done.

The hail that peppered the metro 14 months ago left many homeowners needing repairs, and the Hesters hired Gold Pro Roofing to do the work - but a new roof tops their concerns.

“That it wasn’t permitted, so we don’t know if it’s been put on right or not because it’s never been inspected,” said Kyle Hester.

Ralston’s building official sent Gold Pro Roofing a letter that the city has no record of a permit for the Hesters’ property and the work requires a permit before completion.

“He should have pulled a permit. He said he was going to take care of all that. And he never did,” Hester said.

Shantel Rauber’s daughter, Amanda, discovered the company didn’t pull a permit with the city of Omaha for her roof replacement.

“If he didn’t have a permit, that means that she might have to have this whole entire roof redone. Then that’s money that comes out of her pocket,” Rauber said.

“I’ve inspected about 12,000 homes,” said John Wanninger, a licensed home inspector.

He said a home inspector may poke holes in the condition of a newer roof if a permit hasn’t been pulled for the installation.

“We definitely do that as part of our home inspections. We’re going to see roofs that were installed non professionally, and that leads us to believe maybe it wasn’t permitted. The other thing is, if you are buying work that wasn’t permitted, do you have a company standing behind it?”>

The owner of Gold Pro Roofing, Joe Huggins, sent First Alert 6 a message that it’s never been his intention to avoid city requirements, and the company will be working with officials to resolve any outstanding permit issues.

Homeowners like Amanda Rauber claim the contractor needs to resolve unfinished work that goes beyond roofs.

Rauber’s roof still has hail damage, and it’s been that way for a year. So she’s worried about moisture getting in and mold in the insulation.

The contractor claims that all work paid for has been completed, and the homeowner requested repairs beyond what is approved by insurance.

Amanda disagrees.

“Yeah, he was supposed to do this as part of what he was paid for. It’s horrible, and I don’t have money to do these things,” she said.

Mary and Kyle Hester allege they paid for gutters that didn’t get installed. But the owner of Gold Pro said he’s done all the work that’s been paid for and claims he’s owed more money.

An ongoing dispute that may have been avoided by a call to city hall.

”I wish we had proof of permits. We should have asked for the proof of it before he was allowed to start the work," Mary Hester said.

The owner of Gold Pro Roofing said in a text message that his goal is to deliver the work promised and stand behind it.

While insurance paid the contractor, the homeowners had deductibles and any re-roofing would come out of their pockets.

Three homeowners have filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau.