Contractor Hell

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littleone

Boxer Booster
Hi back Cathy -

Good for you in keeping a journal, after my experience, I document like crazy just in case I need the info to pursue a resolution. You never know what will eventuate in choosing a contractor even if their past track record is good. Don't be angry with yourself, you did it "all" right, this guy has just laid down on the job (no pun intended!) and now you are suffering the consequences of his negligence. Be persistant, many times these guys get away with these types of behaviors when people give up because it's just too much time, effort, etc. and they need to move on to get the job done without further delay. Yes, I ended up getting it resolved to my satisfaction by not giving up - I turned into a witch and really rode a broom when I had to get hardnosed with the contractor. We needed to replace our front door which had to be custom made due to shape/dimensions. I ended up with a 10% reduction in the cost (which covered my sales tax and then some), waiving of install fees based on same, installation on a Saturday at no charge. I had taken time off work to be home for the installation, I was given 3 separate "appointments" for an install and no one showed! I used 3 vacation days because of the above. I suggested that if I was not satisfied with the company's response I would not only sue him for the costs of the job, I would also seek legal recourse in getting compensated for the equivalent of 3 days pay since I had wasted vacation time waiting for the installer that never showed . I filed 3 complaints against the company with the BBB, NYC Dept. of Consumer Affairs and the professional organization they belong to. It paid off, as within a day of receiving my certified letter, the owner finally called me and did backbends to satisfy my demands. I would recommend filing as many claims as necessary and going to the DA as this is forgery & fraud - make his life as uncomfortable as he is making yours! Good luck, I hope this is resolved quickly and that you are soon settled back into your home!

Penny
 

lafsalot

Boxer Insane
Thank you all for your responses - will keep you posted. LuvFritz, thanks for your show of empathy, and for sharing your experience. I'm actually in a similar situation as your friend (the one who served time). Our contract explicitly states that they are responsible for removal and replacement of our underground fuel tank. Well, they dug it up and left it in my yard since early Nov. full of fuel. I'm praying they get it out of there asap. ~ Cathy
 
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lafsalot

Boxer Insane
Great News!!!!!!

I was sleeping on the couch this afternoon nursing a bad cold, when I suddenly heard a knock on our front door - believe it or not, it was the Commissioner of Building for our town, on a Sunday no less!!! He said that he is going to stop all of the contractor's building permits (I think it is referred to as a mechanical lien) until they complete my job. Needless to say, I am soo relieved. Still going to file with the other agencies though, because I am seeking compensatory damages ~ Cathy
 

littleone

Boxer Booster
I'm glad to hear that the county is on top of this and you're getting some help in getting your problems resolved. Is the fuel tank leaking? You may be able to get it removed quickly with help from either the EPA or NYS Dep't. of Conservation at no cost or penalty to you since both NYS & the Federal government have some pretty strict regulations in place regarding disposal of these types of items. I believe the contractor would be held responsible for removal costs as well as being fined for creating potential environmental & health hazards, the Building Commissioner's office can probably give you some guidance on what agency or office you could speak to about this. Hope you're feeling better soon !

Penny
 

lafsalot

Boxer Insane
Penny

Couldn't wait to call the contractor first thing Monday morning to tell him about my unexpected visit from the Commissioner. Just as I was telling them that the Commissioner had commented on the live wires they had left in the house, I was mysteriously cut off. By the time they called back minutes later to appologize, truck loads of their electricians were arriving at my house to do work. As for the abandoned fuel tank, they are having someone from an environmental clean-up service come out and clean and remove the tank at their expence. The plumbers also arrived to do some work, as did the carpenters to redo all of the upstairs windows. More workers are arriving to day, as is the town inspector. Thanks again for responding to my posts ~ Cathy
 

littleone

Boxer Booster
This is wonderful news

Live wires too - OMG! From the sounds of it, someone read him the riot act and he's finally doing what he's supposed to do - YAY!!!! Hope it goes smoothly from here on and you're able to move back into your home soon. Please let us know how it turns out. Wish us some luck too, we're going to be starting a kitchen renovation very soon - cabinets were just delivered a few days ago. My dining room is a maze of boxes and new appliances and I've emptied half of the kitchen cabinets so far - it's amazing how much "junk" you accumulate and don't know about til you do this kind of clean-out. Found out I have many multiples of kitchen gadgets - Goodwill or Salvation Army is going to get a big box of stuff from us for sure. Hope the posts helped.

Penny
 

lafsalot

Boxer Insane
Penny

Your posts most certainly have helped. Plumbers, electricians, and siding guys were here a 6:35 am to begin work before it was even light out and the inspector's arrival at eight. Inspector said that he will be riding them hard each step of the way.

Hope your kitchen renovations go on without a hitch, and in a timely fashion. Athough we have made our selections, they have to take the final measurements before they put in the order.

Again thanks, and let me know how your remodeling goes ~ Cathy
 

littleone

Boxer Booster
Cathy

Sorry for the late reply, but, I've been busy!!! Demo is scheduled to begin this Monday 1/10 and I'm in what I call the "cleaniing/organizing" frenzy!!! Am now trying to empty out the kitchen completely, set up a temporary "kitchen" so we can at least get a cup of coffee, tea or put together a simple meal and not turn the entire house and it's contents on it's head during the renovation process. So far, so good on my side, hope that it's the same for you with your renovation work.

Have a good night!
Penny
 
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