Shingle replacement, 1/3 fence replacement, drywall replacement
In the wake of Hurricane IKE, their representative sat in my living room and went over numbers with me. He looked me in the eyes and shook my hand at a payout price of roughly $6400 to replace 1/3 fence, re-roof a two story, 2000 sf house (relatively small roof), replace damaged sheet rock and paint ceiling/walls of entire livingroom area. Insurance was paying $5800 to cover mentioned items PLUS additional damage I didn't feel required immediate attention and I therefore budgeted $600 to cover difference.
Work was adequate at best. Fence guys left debris that I am still cleaning up, including items that couldn't have been accidently left like posts with concrete attached to base. They did not replace the water damaged and moldy sheet rock as agreed, but only put a patch (which I could have done for about $8) and painted over. They did not paint walls as agreed, in fact they simply paid that part no attention at all. They later told me that because I requested a lighter ceiling color (was told pick any color I wished) they had to put an extra ceiling coat and therefore weren't required to address the walls as agreed.
Once the dust cleared and they added their extra, unforeseen costs (of course the potential for these costs were not mentioned during sales pitch), the total repair cost came to just over $10,000. How in the world did that happen when they didn't even address all of the work they agreed to? My $600 out-of-pocket expense turned into nearly $1500 and I only addressed three of the items covered by the insurance!
In addition, I assumed (my mistake) based on previous dealings with professional home repair/improvement companies, that they would obtain the required approvals from the HOA, especially since they said they would obtain all relevant "permits." As it turns out, permits apparently don't include approvals and as a company they apparently don't bother to inquire with the HOA prior to beginning work. I'm sure they will say that they aren't required to and they probably aren't, but seems like the professional thing to do and all of my previous contractors have done so. I am now being told by the HOA that the roof is substandard and has to be replaced.
Will NEVER consider doing business with these people again and will be looking into legal action. I have never felt so victimized by a company in my life.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $10,000.00
