A large add-on basement, expand kitchen, bedroom-ensuite
This experience has left us in a huge financial hole that we will never be able to fully recover from. None of the trades hired were licensed. They left us high and dry with half a house. We needed to hire a lawyer, another construction company. Structural engineers had to be hired to fix the major structural issues. The contract was heavily front loaded. Their advertising claims of GTHBA, ONHWP and BBB were false. A number of their pictures and claims are from another company that was called "Rosewood Construction". The company currently doing business as Rosewood Construction incorporated under the name "Alliance Building Group". They make claims like they are a franchise. There is nothing to support proof of that. In addition to the damage to my house they also damaged my driveway (with heavy equipment and material), outside sheds (with a bobcat) and an awning over my basement stairwell. Going to court against them cost me over $50K. When I finally got a settlement they defaulted immediately. Their advertising talks about how other companies hire cheapest cost subcontractors. They were worse with unlicensed subs. We had sub contractors threatening to put leans on our house since they were not paid by Rosewood, even though we made all of our payments to Rosewood on schedule. I know of a few other places that had bad dealings with them as well. This experience has left me, my wife and my kids emotionally and financially scarred for life.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $150,000.00
- Any advice to offer fellow homeowners facing a similar project?
- Find reputable companies. Get three quotes. Don't believe the claims they make without verifying it. Call up the Home Builders Association and verify they are actually members. A contract with a reputable builder should not be front end loaded and there should be provisions for 10% hold back due to the Construction Lien Act. It may be worthwhile to hire an independent supervisor to watch over the company. When the city finds structural issues they go to the home owner to fix it. If the builder is shoddy it is already too late when you find out.