Buffalo, NY – State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has filed a lawsuit against Commercial Roofing of Buffalo for charging excessive prices to clear roofs after the December snow storm.
Spitzer cited three instances of alleged price gouging by Commercial Roofing:
On January 4th, Susan Solender, 56, of Fox Point West in Williamsville contacted the company after her roof began to make noise under the strain of the snow. Without giving her an estimate, Commercial Roofing charged Mrs. Solender $4,860 for a job that should have cost $600-$800;
Yvonne Avriett, 63, of Avery Place in Cheektowaga, called the company on December 30th because of concerns that her roof was going to collapse. Without ever giving her an estimate, Commercial Roofing billed Ms. Avriett $1,350 for a job that should have cost between $400-$600. In addition, only half of her roof was cleared;
On December 31st, Frank Monczynski, 73, of Abeles Avenue in Cheektowaga contacted the company after water from his roof began leaking into his home. He was charged $1,500 for a job that should have cost between $400-$600. In addition, the company damaged some of his shingles.
"State law expressly prohibits businesses from taking advantage of consumers during times of emergency caused by Mother Nature, yet that is exactly what this company did," Spitzer said. "We are going to prosecute to the full extent of the law."
Spitzer is seeking $25,000 in civil damages and restitution for homeowners. The case was filed in State Supreme Court in Buffalo.