Hartz Construction

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2014/04/04) */
Hartz Construction had the shingles replaced on April Due to cold weather, it is common for shingles not to fully adhere and this is what caused those shingles to blow offWe realize that this can be frustrating to the homeowner, but
want to assure them that there is nothing wrong with the roof, shingles or installationPlease see the attached letter from the shingle manufacturer, Owens Corning that addresses this topic
Now with the warmer weather, the shingles should adhereIf however, the problem persists in anyway, we encourage the home owner to contact us directly so that we can send someone out immediately to rectify the situation
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 7, 2014/04/04) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
Yes, the shingles appear to have been replaced and repaired for the second time within three weeks! However, the response from Hartz Construction is absolutely unacceptable
If the glue on the shingles did not properly adhere, due to the colder weather, then the entire roof of shingles would have blown off from the high winds! Is this something I should expect within the coming months?? If so, I am going to have to call Hartz Construction every time this happens before the weather has a week of temperatures over 70-degrees???
In both instances, sections of shingles have blown off, not the entire roof
So, the excuse of the glue not properly adhering is unacceptable
Moreover, there are homes within the same subdivision, which have been built months prior to my home, which have the same problem
Therefore, the excuse that the glue did not melt is questionable
My house was built in the winter timeEvery single shingle had the same temperature exposure throughout the entire roof
The entire roof has not properly bonded due to the fact that there has not been a day over degrees since the home was builtTherefore, if the glue was indeed a problem, every shingle on the roof would have blown off
In my opinion, the roofing company did not properly install the roof, or the shingles are defective?!
I have to pick up strips of glue in my yard everyday, which have blown off of my roof, as well as pieces of shingles that have blown offThis tells me it was an improper installation
If I need a third party roofing inspector to provide a professional opinion, I will gladly supply the results to coincide with my complaint
Bottom line question, is this a shingle problem or an improper installation?
This is a brand new home, which should not be having these problems
Please advise
Final Business Response /* (4000, 13, 2014/05/05) */
On April we repaired the homeowner's shingle, one day after the homeowner contacted usAlso on April 26, an inspection of the entire roof was performedThe inspection showed that with the increased temperatures, the shingles had started to adhere as they were designedWe again went out on May to inspect the roof and everything was fineWe inspected the roof again on May and took photos for the homeowner showing everything was fineWe will continue to periodically check the homeowner's roofWe stand behind our work, and have encouraged the homeowner to contact us if a problem should persist so that it can be corrected as quickly as possible
Final Consumer Response /* (4200, 11, 2014/04/24) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
The meeting did take place at my residence on April 18th as scheduledRepresentatives from the manufacturer, the roofing company, and the VP of Construction at *** all attended
However, the entire roof was not inspected, only the lowest point of the roof
Furthermore, there was nothing said or done to make me feel "comfortable with the quality and installation of the shingles"I was told "there is nothing wrong with the roof or shingles and if the problem happens again, I can call *** to have the problem fixed"
A representative from the roofing company did come to my house the following day to repair the shingles that have blown off of the roof
However, today, April 25, 2014, one week after this meeting, I have shingles blowing off of my roof yet again!
I have sent yet another request to *** Customer Service to have the roofing company come back to my house to make the necessary repairs for the third time in weeks! In this emial to ***, I have also requested the roofing company come back to my house every week to inspect my roof and/or make the necessary repairs
It has gotten to the point where I am making requests to have the roofing company fix the roof every 2-weeks, which is absolutely unacceptable
I am not at all satisfied with the quality of the shingles on my roof, nor do I accept the excuse that the glue has not bonded because of the temperature not reaching over degrees for a weekIf this is the case, why is the builder installing shingles in the winter time?!
All I want is for my roof to not have pieces or sections blow off every two weeks and not waste my time calling or emailing Customer Service to have this issue fixed

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me
Sincerely,
*** ***

This is the first complaint Hartz Homes has received in well over a year, and during a period that we built well over homesWe are very concerned with this customer’s frustration and are taking immediate steps to correct the situationThe windows the customer mentioned have already removed
and replaced, as well as new sills installedThe Hartz on-site superintendent met with the homeowner on 6/for a scheduled appointment to discuss the siding issues (including concerns with the exhaust vent and downspout) as well as the drywall and grout issuesWe are currently attending to each of these items

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2014/02/04) */
Contact Name and Title: [redacted]
Contact Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX
Contact Email: [redacted]@hartzhomes.com
On October 20, 2013, the customer entered into a contract with Hartz Construction Co, Inc. to build a home. In...

the subsequent three months, Hartz began carrying through with its contractual obligations to build the home and incurred substantial costs in doing so. These costs include paying for all permits and fees, making changes to the plan, and purchasing structural components including windows, doors, etc.

On January 21, the customer inquired about cancelling the contract. The customer was referred to the stipulation in the contact that covers such cancellations (#5 under Conditions and Stipulations). This stipulation reads:
If this contract is terminated without Purchaser's fault, the earnest money shall be returned to the Purchaser, but if the termination is caused by the Purchaser's fault, then upon written notice to the Purchaser, the earnest money and any and all amount paid by he Purchaser to the Seller hereunder shall be forfeited to the Seller and applied first to the payment of Seller's expense; the balance, if any, to be retained by the Seller as liquidated damages.
If the customer cancels the contract, he is not entitled to a refund.
Final Consumer Response /* (4200, 11, 2014/02/13) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
The salesperson did not recommend an attorney she actually said she could explain it to us and almost all of you clients go without getting an attorney. Again us being trusting people believed her. When we got to the portion of the contract that said if we do not purchase the house we lose our money. This is when my wife had asked just the $2500? The salesperson said yes! We believe and trusted her because the $2500 was referred to as the earnest money and the $8100 was referred to as the down payment. We do know now that we should not be so trusting with people, regardless of them being in business for 50+ years and its a shame.
Final Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2014/02/06) */
The salesperson has been selling homes for Hartz for more than 20 years and is highly familiar with the contract. The salesperson went over each page of the contract with the customer and the customer signed or initialed each page. The salesperson went over with the customer the portion of the contract detailing what happens to the earnest money and all other amounts paid by the customer if customer cancels the contract. The customer initialed this page.
The customer claims that the Hartz salesperson should have suggested that the customer get an attorney to translate the contract. In fact, the salesperson not only made this suggestion, but also provided the customer with an attorney rider. That attorney rider, signed by the customer, gave the customer five days to review the contract with an attorney. A scanned copy of the signed attorney rider is included in this response.
In the three months after the contract was signed, Hartz began carrying though on its contractual obligation to build the home and incurred substantial costs in doing so.
If the customer cancels the contract, he is not entitled to a refund.

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2014/05/15) */
This complaint has been turned over to our insurance company for their review and comments.

Hartz Construction talked with Mr. [redacted] by...

phone on April 20 to discuss this situation. An in-person follow-up meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 22 with the Hartz Construction Superintendent and Mr. [redacted]. We want to insure that all of Mr. [redacted]’s concerns are being handled to his satisfaction.
We recognize the concern relating to the actions of one or more subcontractors (non Hartz Construction employees). We contacted these subcontractors and re-emphasized our policy to be good and respectful neighbors. In addition, we have given Mr. [redacted] the direct phone number of our Vice President of Construction whom he can call directly with any future concerns without having to talk with subcontractors.

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2014/04/01) */
Hartz Construction's superintendent met with the homebuyer on 3/28/2014 and satisfied all four areas where the homebuyer desired resolution.
Specifically, the missing shingles were fixed on 3/28, the leaking window was repaired on...

3/31, the garbage was removed from the front and back yard on 3/22, and the garage door was inspected and the new panel should be painted as soon as the weather permits.

As the homebuyer requested, we are getting a neutral third party to inspect the siding on his house and provide a recommendation. We are scheduling this ASAP and will be in touch with the homebuyer.

Hartz Construction talked with Mr. [redacted] by phone on April 20 to discuss this situation. An in-person follow-up meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 22 with the Hartz Construction Superintendent and Mr. [redacted]. We want to insure that all of Mr. [redacted]’s concerns are being...

handled to his satisfaction. We recognize the concern relating to the actions of one or more subcontractors (non Hartz Construction employees). We contacted these subcontractors and re-emphasized our policy to be good and respectful neighbors. In addition, we have given Mr. [redacted] the direct phone number of our Vice President of Construction whom he can call directly with any future concerns without having to talk with subcontractors.

Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:To be accurate, the grout was not redone. The grout was patched and dyed, to achieve a satisfactory level. Yes, there are 2 long separations in the grout and we are awaiting word on a course of action to stop this from worsening.the siding/fascia issues are still in committee. I cannot fathom why a simple decision is taking so long. Some of these issues were brought to attention a year ago. Multiple times since.  Some direct communication would be nice which should include a timeline. I am also demanding some notice as YOUR rep from the siding company and YOUR subcontractor will be coming out who have a lot to loose.I will have to have neutral professionals on hand to aide in ceasing the incessant finger pointing and to repair the obvious issues. I truly wish this situation was rectified earlier and you stood behind y our builds. It is very sad that it has got to this point.I want to be done with you as well as you with me. I hope to have this timeline within the next week. This has gone on long enough.     
Sincerely,
[redacted]