I&J Home Builders

Review: I & J completed the building of my home in November 2014. There is one remaining item from the original punch list that remains not fixed - that is the walkout basement door still leaks into the basement when it rains. There have been many inspections and 5-6 attempts at fixing the leak without complete success. The last remedy is to replace the door. On July 7, the owner Ian J[redacted], replied to my email complaining that the last attempt failed and provide him with pictures. He wrote, "Morning Peter, Apologies once again for this. I am really sorry that it has been overlooked for so long. Scotty is away this week but I have noted to talk to him when he returns and we will schedule a time that suits you."

However, he's never gotten back to me; two follow up emails to him (and staff) have gone unanswered; we went to the office and his wife said that he'd call - he never did; my wife went back to the office during office hours and the door was locked. I understand the replacement door was ordered and delivered to I & J - all they have to do is install it.

We really like the house and continue to get compliments. We enjoyed working with them during the actual building process, for the most part. I remain baffled at the lack of response, and hope and expect the problem to be addressed and fixed soon.Desired Settlement: Install the walkout basement door to fix the leak into the basement (hopefully, it will).

This company has gone out of business.

Review: We completed construction of our home with I & J Builders in late July 2015. In the fall they were to come out and correct a sidewalk issue that had water pooling and freezing at the base of the front steps. They did not come out. Starting on July 10th, 2016 numerous emails and calls were made to this business to complete our guaranteed 1 yr corrections and the sidewalk issue. Now, mid August, no phone calls or emails are being returned, no new messages can be left because all the voicemails are full, and emails continue to be unresponded to. The only 2 responses I have received are from employees telling me they no longer work there. In the last voicemail I was able to leave on the owners wife's line, clearly stated if a prompt return of call was not received, legal action would be taken.Desired Settlement: Please see emailed list of 1 yr walk-through corrections that need to be made, in addition to the sidewalk/icing correction.

Consumer

Response:

I physically went to the builder'so office and was informed that the business has closed. The office staff said the owner left for London, with 18 houses in progress, numerous 1 yr corrections on the list, $120,000 of the contractor's own money, and $90,00 still owed in commission to the consultant we worked with. [A default letter is provided here which indicates that the business has not responded to you directly. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

At this time, I have not been contacted by I&J Home Builders regarding complaint ID [redacted]

Regards,

Review: My husband and I have had several issues throughout the building process. The latest is I & J states in our building contract that we have a 1 year warranty. The [redacted] came out to go over the things that needed to be fixed in August, he said he'd be in touch with us about getting someone to our home for repairs, we have yet to hear from him. I reached out to the owner December 12, and I left a message with his wife for him to call me. I never heard back from him. I figured I'd be generous and let them get through the Holidays. I tried calling him again Jan 24, and left a detailed message, still have yet to hear from him. There are several issues with the construction of our home. On the exterior of the home they installed the siding too close together and didn't allow for expansion which has caused the siding to buckle in several places. The outlets off the rear deck have never worked. Almost every corner bead in the house has buckled and torn threw the sheetrock. The ceiling is cracking in our living room in several places. The mantel is not center in the fireplace opening due to the front framing stud having an obvious bow. The tile in the master bath was installed crooked and without spacers or bullnose on shower. The hardwood flooring is split in more than 40% of the floor due to poor installation. We contacted the flooring company and they confirmed the floors should not split and crack if installed properly. The foreman promised a small retaining wall at the basement door due to the elevation of the dirt causing the basement door unusable, we've yet to receive that either. The dead bolts on 2 exterior doors locked up and are not functioning from the outside. These are only some of the major issues.Desired Settlement: My husband and I would like most of the exterior issues to be fixed. Being the siding replaced where bowed, outlets replaced off deck, retaining wall to be installed. We would also like a refund for our hardwood floors. They must be replaced, there is no way to cut up each damaged or split piece and replace. The other interior issues we will fix ourselves with time.

Business

Response:

February 4, 2015Dear Madam,RE: CASE # [redacted]We are in receipt of your letter dated January 30, 2015 regarding the above case.We had sent our personnel to the property and we under the impression that most of these issues hadbeen addressed. If and when these issues are resolved we would request that the clients address callbacksto [redacted]This is our normal policy because issues addressed verbally may get lost without a paper trail.1) We will go out to the property and resolve the siding issues.2) We will also resolve the electrical outlet issue.3) We will evaluate and repair, within reason, the drywall issues.4) As far as the cosmetics of the mantel - they were accepted during the walk-through. If there has been a settling issue or a warranty problem, then we will address that.5) We provide warranty for the labor on the flooring. The factory provides the warranty for the flooring. We will contact our factory representative and have him meet us on site and give us his report.6} If there is a need for a retaining wall, we will evaluate the situation.7) We will adjust the deadbolts on the doors, as necessary.As mentioned above, our policy regarding call -backs should be in writing and this was conveyed to the clients when we dosed. Nevertheless, we have had a change of staff and the lack of communication could lie with us too.

Review: I moved into my home built by I&J in May 2015. I paid in full regardless of issues because they threatened a lien on my property. Ever since, every issue has been a major stressful problem. The most recent involves the Christmas light package I purchased for $500 to have electrical outlets installed under each window in each room in order to light Christmas decor under one switch. This Christmas season I found they left 3 windows without these outlets. When I called to have them put in, they told me I would have to pay an ADDITIONAL $700!!! They just don't want to do the work. Also, I have had a problem with my walk-out basement doors that don't close properly which cause my security system not to work! They haven't responded to fixing this issue. I have one year to have my home correctly repaired and all issues fixed. I am a widow living alone and feel they are taking advantage of this, too. I need help with them! PLEASE!

Business

Response:

On 26th December 2014 [redacted] signed an

addendum to the Construction Contract to add a Christmas light package. Our Christmas

light package includes a receptacle near the front window, which operate under

one switch, and she was charged her $500. We did a rough-in electrical walk-though

with her marked all the receptacle and switch locations. On completion of the

house we did a final walk-through and she accepted the home as it was and

according to our contract. Now, seven months later she is saying that she

wanted a receptacle under each of the triple windows but this was never stated

or agreed to at the walk-though and we have quoted her $700 to add three more

receptacles. Obviously, if she had stated this at the rough-in walk-through it would

have been far less work and less cost.With regard to the basement door, we received her complaint,

I think that was on December 15th, 2015 and it was reported to our

call-back department. It was scheduled with [redacted] and I have not had a report

back but I am told that they were out there today.In the initial complaint she stated that we had threated to

out a lien on the property. That is correct as she had moved into the house and

we were due to close the next day, she gave me a hug and told us how much she

loved the house, but then instructed her attorney that she wanted to hold back

$10,000. We arranged a meeting with her at her attorney’s office and her attorney

advised her to pay when was due to us and she went ahead and paid.Whenever she had a call-back we have attended to this, even

doing extras for her that were not covered in the contract, at no charge. I am

really disappointed that she plays the widow card. I have always been

respectful and never once taken advantage. Below is a list of items that were

given to her at no extra charge:Sidewalk-contract called for a 30 ft sidewalk and she got 90

ft cost $32 a running ft =$1,920We installed the power which was her responsibility. It took

us 3 days with the mini excavator at $65 per hour = $1,560Hardwood floors upstairs cost $3,960Hung curtain rods.In closing, when we gave something to get, we got cookies,

but when it did not go her way she would badmouth us on [redacted].

Consumer

Response:

The owner of this company, Ian J[redacted], is getting all this info regarding an electrical walk through from his project manager [redacted]. I NEVER had an electrical walk through! He had this walk through with the Fluvanna County building inspector representative. At that time I was told they had to change the electrical light fixture in the master closet.......nothing else was reported to me. At the time I paid for the Christmas Light Package, I was told it would include receptacles under ALL windows just like I had in my prior home which I explained thoroughly to him. It is obvious that they did a majority of the windows, but missed some.