Response to complaint # [redacted] submitted on 8/26/2015I'm sorry that my client found it difficult to communicate with me regarding some of her concernsAt our initial meeting prior to the proposal, I encouraged her to address all concerns with meWhile my client had my cell phone number and was welcome to call or text as often as needed, she clearly did not share all her concerns with me.During the project phases (foundation replacement & porch renovations) my client was kept informed either in person or by phoneI was often on the job site when my client arrived homeShe frequently used these occasions to talk with me about the projectsUnfortunately, during the project, I was hospitalized, due to the immediate onset of a debilitating conditionThis did, admittedly, impact my ability to communicate with my clients I contacted her the first day I came home from the hospital to explain the gap in communicationI returned to the job site the next day.The original contract, for $8,850.00, was signed by the client and dated 6/2/for the replacement of the front porch foundation, placement of sonotubes under the kitchen with insulation under the kitchen.Once the proposal is signed it is now a contract to do the work My proposal stated a 10% payment to schedule the work, 30% startup, 50% after foundation work is completed and final 10% at project completion.Client, on her own volition, paid $at start of workA permit was obtained for the foundationDuring the foundation removal and installation of a new block foundation, client was kept informed, either on-site or phone.Entrance to client's house, client had to pass by the site and observe and ask questionsThe client often ask questions of me when I was on siteThe required front porch foundation and rear foundation under the kitchen were noted by a certified structural engineerThe front porch's foundation was only 24" deep not 48" which is the standard for this area of New YorkTwo areas were dug along the exterior foundation wall of the kitchenThe foundation was found to extend 48" -so no addition work was doneHoles were refilled by the back hoeMonies were deducted from the contracted amount minus exploration In the process of the porch foundation work it was discovered that another reason for the sagging at the outside corner was due the water damage of the non-pressure treated lumber corner post and that was additional compromised by the corner post rested on top of the railing systemAnd that the exterior joist and rim joist had severe previous water rotThis information immediately conveyed to the clientA section of the rotten exterior joist was shown to the clientShe agreed to replacementThe existing permit was amended to include the reconstruction of the front porch Additional problems of the front porch wood structure were immediately brought to the client's attention and I was advised by the client to do what was necessary Upon preparing to replace the 4" x 4" joist and rim joist with pressure treated wood the ends of the interior joists had some deteriorationThat was resolved with 10'' x 1/2" galvanized lag screws thru the new rim joist into the existing inside floor joistsThe original open porch was built with 2" x 4" lumber attached to the wood flooring, interior finish was wood bead board with exterior wood siding, foam board and vinyl sidingThe inside of the open porch's wainscoting was removed to show additional water damage to the 2" x 4" base platesThere was only one small opening, along the long run, for water drainageUnfortunately, the reconstruction of the wood portion of the porch was a domino effect and was hard to gauge the total costAll framing, post and railing caps are all pressure treated lumberThe new open porch allows water to drain along both sidesThe electrical pet fence was severed in several locations, and when I was made aware of the fence, I offered to have the fence repairedI asked the client to provide me with a billTo date I have not received one.As a contractor, I am aware that even with care to the property, there may be problems that occurSuch issues require communication with the client in order for a satisfactory resolutionThe project was completed in full with the exception of painting the porch, the client chose to do it on her ownThe cost of painting was not included in the final billOn October 3rd a corrected invoice was sent in the amount of $The client has paid the bill in full
Response to complaint # [redacted] submitted on 8/26/2015I'm sorry that my client found it difficult to communicate with me regarding some of her concernsAt our initial meeting prior to the proposal, I encouraged her to address all concerns with meWhile my client had my cell phone number and was welcome to call or text as often as needed, she clearly did not share all her concerns with me.During the project phases (foundation replacement & porch renovations) my client was kept informed either in person or by phoneI was often on the job site when my client arrived homeShe frequently used these occasions to talk with me about the projectsUnfortunately, during the project, I was hospitalized, due to the immediate onset of a debilitating conditionThis did, admittedly, impact my ability to communicate with my clients I contacted her the first day I came home from the hospital to explain the gap in communicationI returned to the job site the next day.The original contract, for $8,850.00, was signed by the client and dated 6/2/for the replacement of the front porch foundation, placement of sonotubes under the kitchen with insulation under the kitchen.Once the proposal is signed it is now a contract to do the work My proposal stated a 10% payment to schedule the work, 30% startup, 50% after foundation work is completed and final 10% at project completion.Client, on her own volition, paid $at start of workA permit was obtained for the foundationDuring the foundation removal and installation of a new block foundation, client was kept informed, either on-site or phone.Entrance to client's house, client had to pass by the site and observe and ask questionsThe client often ask questions of me when I was on siteThe required front porch foundation and rear foundation under the kitchen were noted by a certified structural engineerThe front porch's foundation was only 24" deep not 48" which is the standard for this area of New YorkTwo areas were dug along the exterior foundation wall of the kitchenThe foundation was found to extend 48" -so no addition work was doneHoles were refilled by the back hoeMonies were deducted from the contracted amount minus exploration In the process of the porch foundation work it was discovered that another reason for the sagging at the outside corner was due the water damage of the non-pressure treated lumber corner post and that was additional compromised by the corner post rested on top of the railing systemAnd that the exterior joist and rim joist had severe previous water rotThis information immediately conveyed to the clientA section of the rotten exterior joist was shown to the clientShe agreed to replacementThe existing permit was amended to include the reconstruction of the front porch Additional problems of the front porch wood structure were immediately brought to the client's attention and I was advised by the client to do what was necessary Upon preparing to replace the 4" x 4" joist and rim joist with pressure treated wood the ends of the interior joists had some deteriorationThat was resolved with 10'' x 1/2" galvanized lag screws thru the new rim joist into the existing inside floor joistsThe original open porch was built with 2" x 4" lumber attached to the wood flooring, interior finish was wood bead board with exterior wood siding, foam board and vinyl sidingThe inside of the open porch's wainscoting was removed to show additional water damage to the 2" x 4" base platesThere was only one small opening, along the long run, for water drainageUnfortunately, the reconstruction of the wood portion of the porch was a domino effect and was hard to gauge the total costAll framing, post and railing caps are all pressure treated lumberThe new open porch allows water to drain along both sidesThe electrical pet fence was severed in several locations, and when I was made aware of the fence, I offered to have the fence repairedI asked the client to provide me with a billTo date I have not received one.As a contractor, I am aware that even with care to the property, there may be problems that occurSuch issues require communication with the client in order for a satisfactory resolutionThe project was completed in full with the exception of painting the porch, the client chose to do it on her ownThe cost of painting was not included in the final billOn October 3rd a corrected invoice was sent in the amount of $The client has paid the bill in full