A large plastic tarp covers the roof of the Marcos home in Southwick after a tree fell on the structure causing an estimated $17,000 worth of damage. The homeowner hired T & B Tree Removal and Landscape Service to remove the trees but instead found themselves with a yard full of debris and a damaged roof. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK –Phil Marcos is warning his fellow residents to carefully interview anyone hired for services following an incident that left a tree on his home this past weekend.
Marcos, of Feeding Hills Road, hired T & B Tree Removal and Landscaping to remove seven trees on his property and now has one tree down in his yard, one leaning on his house, and an expensive mess to clean up.
“I had the idea to take some trees down around the house because of the storms we’ve had – I was feeling uneasy,” said Marcos.
Marcos did his homework, or so he thought, and shopped around. After meeting with the owner of T & B, who assured Marcos he was fully licensed and insured, he hired the company.
Marcos found T & B on craigslist.com where the following ad was posted Nov. 1 and has not been removed: “Call T&B Tree Removal & Landscaping today. get rid of those leafs and dangerous trees. storms and winter is upon is. dont wait to long. call to get free estimate. from the smallest job to the biggest we do it all. we take pride in making the customer happy. cheap rates and prompt service. clean ups starting at 75.00-300.00. lic & insured expert tree climber call 860 982 7350.”
Marcos said he even told the owner he did not want them on his property if they were not insured.
“He said they had a $2 million policy and now I know I should have asked to see his paperwork,” Marcos said.
Since the incident, Marcos said he now understands that a copy of the license and insurance policy should be on the premises.
“They’re supposed to keep it in their truck,” he said. “He brought two trucks and they said right on it ‘licensed and insured’.”
Fortunately, no one was hurt when the tree fell on the home, leaving eight holes in the roof.
“There were five people here at the time and a tree came down and a branch went through a wall 10 feet from my disabled wife,” Marcos said, adding that another branch just missed his daughter.
“The first tree came down okay, but the second fell on my roof,” said Marcos, who said he was told by the owner that he would get the paperwork needed for a claim.
“He actually gave bogus information to my homeowner’s insurance,” Marcus said, “and he is not returning any of my calls or calls from my attorney.”
Marcus said he just wants people to be aware of the situation so they do not fall prey to this company , or other companies, doing the same shoddy business.
Marcus said there are 10,000 pounds of lumber in his yard and estimated the damage at more than $17,000. He said an appraiser from his insurance company told him it would take seven – 10 days for a check to arrive and a contractor from Southwick helped Marcus secure his home.
“Right now I’m worried about tightening up my house because of the storm we’re getting,” he said today. “The contractor did a good job of buttoning it up. Hopefully the weather will hold out.”
A message was left on the T & B voicemail by The Westfield News asking for comment but has not yet been returned.
