Lindus Construction, Inc.

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2014/09/08) */
We spoke to the client earlier the same day that this complaint was filed, so this complaint was a bit surprisingSince its filing, we have been to the residence in question and have repaired the leak, in accordance with their requestWe are
working to schedule our drywall team to repair any damage to the ceiling as a result of the leak and have been in contact with the property owner

We have talked with [redacted] several times and have been out to his home many times as well. We have already agreed to remove the section of gutter in question. We have been waiting for [redacted] to tell us how he would like to proceed with removing this section of gutter.

Review: Lindus installed a gutter/downspout system on my home in 2012. While preparing for new windows and siding installation, wet wall sheathing was discovered directly below a downspout that they installed. Lindus had their repair person come to my home to reconfigure the installation in that area. The repair person told me that the installation was done improperly in that the downspout that dumped vertically directly into another gutter component was causing a "bubbling over" effect that caused the rain water to back up and get under the siding. The repair person further commented that the slash cut on the back side of the upper downspout was too large and poorly done. The repair person reconfigured the upper downspout so that it drained into the lower gutter at an approximate 45 degree angle so the "bubbling over" issue would be eliminated.

While Lindus did the reconfiguration work and did not bill me for it, I feel they are ultimately responsible for the damage I incurred and I requested reimbursement from them which was denied by [redacted] and blamed it on the construction of the house. If [redacted] truly believes that they are not at fault, why would they have taken the time and expense to reconfigure the downspout/gutter if the installation was done correctly in the first place?

I emailed the Lindus company after I had the sheathing repairs done and requested reimbursement in the amount of approximately $250. Lindus did not return my email or call me regarding the issue. I had to then call their salesperson ... only then did I get a call from [redacted]Desired Settlement: I wish to be promptly reimbursed for my expenses that are a result of their poor workmanship.

Business

Response:

When our service technician visited the residence, he

decided that the solution to the water bubbling over was to adjust the

downspout installation, which we did. We

did not charge him for this work, but not because we felt liable for the water

damages. We were trying to help, and

certainly we acknowledge that the way it was done was causing the water to

bubble out of the gutter, but did not cause the water to get under the

siding. The water leaked behind the

siding because it was missing a very important component called kick-out

flashing. Due to the vast number of

people in the state of [redacted] experiencing the same type of leaking, the

state amended building codes in 2006 to require this kick-out flashing. The code is below, and item 9 is the amendment:

R703.8 Flashing. Approved corrosion-resistant flashing

shall be applied shingle-fashion in such a manner as to prevent entry of water

into the wall cavity or penetration of water to the building structural framing

components. The flashing shall extend to the surface of the exterior wall

finish. Approved corrosion-resistant flashing shall be installed at all of the

following locations:

1. Exterior window and door openings.

Flashing at exterior window and door openings shall extend to the surface of the

exterior wall finish or to the water-resistive barrier for subsequent drainage.

2. At the intersection of chimneys or

other masonry construction with frame or stucco walls, with projecting lips on

both sides under stucco copings.

3. Under and at the ends of masonry,

wood, or metal copings and sills.

4. Continuously above all projecting

wood trim.

5. Where exterior porches, decks, or

stairs attach to a wall or floor assembly of wood-frame construction.

6. At wall and roof intersections.

7. At built-in gutters.

8. Where exterior material meets in

other than a vertical line.

9.

Where the lower portion of a sloped roof stops within the plane of an

intersecting wall cladding in such a manner as to divert or kick out water away

from the assembly.

Had this flashing been installed, water could not have

penetrated the siding wall. This damage

was likely to have occurred with or without the downspout issue and quite

possibly was leaking long before the gutters were installed. It happened as a result of any water, including

normal rain water, running down behind the siding.

Business

Response:

We don’t necessarily contend any of those points; however

none of them show that the spill out and bubbling from the gutter system caused

the leak or the water damage. We agree that the

downspout needed to be adjusted; so that’s what we did. As previously stated, the leak very well

could have been happening long before the gutter system was installed, and is a

direct result of the missing kick-out flashing.

Had the flashing been there as it should have been, the leaking would

not have happened.

Consumer

Response:

Had a lifetime warranty steel roof put on my home and it has leaked every year since. About ten years now. Every time I call someone is sent out armed with silicone to fix it. The owners refuse to replace the roof and insist the roof is good. Not sure but I think the purpose of a roof is to keep water out. Mine does not. Never has I will have to replace it myself if I want it done right

Review: I purchased Leafguard gutters on Nov 1 and requested installation ASAP; with the understanding there was an $800 deposit with the $1700 balance due upon completion. My card was charged for the balance on 12/26 even though the work was not completed. When I called to enquire about the charge, I was told the work would be completed the week of Jan 6; that week is now come and gone and the work is still not complete. Throughout this process, I have not heard from anyone at Lindus regarding scheduling, why the work has not been done, or with an updated date of completion. I understand that gutter installation is weather dependent, but the lack of communication is unacceptable, especially given that they have already processed a full payment for services not rendered and not in accordance with the service contract.Desired Settlement: I would like a refund of the unauthorized charges (full payment was not supposed to be due until completion) and for the work to be completed as per the contract. If the work is not completed, I want a full refund of all payments made. I also want the business to COMMUNICATE what they are doing, when and why and FOLLOW THROUGH on dates/timetables given. If follow through is not possible (weather-related), COMMUNICATION with full disclosure as to why they are unable to follow through is required.

Business

Response:

We have since contacted Ms. [redacted], returned to her property, and completed all of the work as requested. I believe she's now happy with the project, and her account is paid in full.

Thank you,

Review: Late fall 2014 I had leaf guard gutters installed on our home. $4,300 was the total cost. I paid $1,500 to get started. In the back of our house there is an inside roof valley which channels a large amount of rain water down on top of the gutter system. The leaf guard system cannot handle the amount of water that comes down. Lindus sent an employee with a garden hose to simulate a rainfall. Of course, that was not an accurate representation of rainfall on an entire roof. This employee asked for payment and said that Lindus may place a lien against our house. The gutters still would not would not handle the water as I was lead to believe when purchased. Lindus then sent another employee to look at the situation and offer an option of cutting the top off a section of the gutter system and replace that with a wire mesh allowing the water to flow through into the gutter. This worked for a week or so until leaves and other debris came down onto the mesh and thereby re-creating the same problem in a different way. There has been someone here to scrape debris off the mesh before a rainfall in order to allow the mesh to work before a storm. This is not a practical solution not to mention unrealistic, and is not acceptable to me. This entire process took a good deal of time due to the Lindus schedule and ours. Also, I had to wait for rain in order to see for myself that this does not work as I was lead to believe. I've tried to contact Lindus and left several message stating that I'll pay for the portion of the gutters that are not presently giving me trouble. I offered to pay $2,000 of the $2,800 balance as $800 is the total amount charged for the stretch of gutter that doesn't work as I was told it would.Desired Settlement: Take down the section in back of my house and adjust remaining balance to $2,000 which I have said that I'll pay right now.

Business

Response:

We have talked with [redacted] several times and have been out to his home many times as well. We have already agreed to remove the section of gutter in question. We have been waiting for [redacted] to tell us how he would like to proceed with removing this section of gutter.

I had a very negative experience working with Lindus Construction in November 2014,with steel siding. Where to begin. I had numerous questions and concerns which I talked about with [redacted] the salesperson. I was worried about, would you be able to replace the color blue if something happened to the siding in a storm, destroyed plants, trees and schrubs, about debris not being picked up , nails, metal shards, old wood etc, about my dog walking in that till spring,how long the project would take and would there be nails poping and cracking the plaster in a 70 year old home. He assured my that none of those things had been a problem in the "30 years the company has been in business". The project was to last 3 to 5 days. Est cost $16,000. As soon as I signed the contract and put money down, the problems began.I ordered the color blue, which they stopped making, then I ordered yellow, they didn't have that, then the found blue, but ran out of it on finshing my house! All my concerns I had about Nails popping out of the walls and cracked plaster walls on the inside of my house happened! Now I have to paint and fix my self! Not covered by them, which they never told me wasnt covered.So I have to fix every room on each outside wall of my house. My schrubs were broken in half and destroyed everywhere. They cut 5 window screens on the house. The ruined the metal railings on the front of the house by putting ladders with men standing on them. Railings broke at the base in the cement. The shutters on the house are the wrong size,They never picked up nails,screws,small debris, cigarrette butts, broken trees limbs,metal shards, I called to have the dumpstet out front on the street removed. The project took 9 days to complete. There was a lack of communication on the companies part. I had different men working on my house every day. I would never have a project start in late fall/winter ever again. Never have a project done around a holday (everyone takes off early) I had two windows pulled out of my house and left that way for the weekend which rain and snow swelled the wood and I had a gap that had to be caulked to seal. A door that was trimmed around that had a gap of 1/2 inch that fit wrong. Windows that are different sizes with the same size shutters, that don't looks right. Numbers on the house that are crooked. seals around windows that are cracked, trim around windows that were dented. Broken planters and yard ornaments and over 50 nail pops and cracked plaster walls on the inside of the house. Please call me to chat if you are thinking of doing business with them. [redacted]

We were recommended to Lindus by 4 people. We signed up to have a roof & Leafguard gutters installed. The installation date was August 20th with the gutters the next day. The roof went on no problems however the vents to be installed were ordered wrong. A new date was set for the gutter install and when Lindus arrived they could not complete the install as there were power lines that needed to be moved that NO ONE at Lindus noticed even after I had asked our sales person about the new depth of the gutters. SO another $800 cost for an electrician incurred due to lack of attention to detail. Their only electrician was on vacation so another 2 week wait. The sales person was very rude when we inquired why a company of their size has only one electrician & questioned about the whereabouts of the vents. The new vents arrived and guess what, wrong color!

Well after over a month of waiting the correct vents were installed. Now on to the gutters, Finally in mid September the gutters were all installed, almost, the wrong color kicker downspout was installed. I was told that they would return with the correct one. On November 6th I received the final invoice for the work that still had not been completed, wrong kicker. A call to Lindus and they did not have a clue that there was still work to be done. During this time I spoke with 2 people with the last name Lindus to express my displeasure with their service! They did not seem to care one bit. I would not recommend them to anyone!!!!!!!!!! We will see if I can get this job completed by spring 2014.

Review: Leaf Guard wrecked an existing pipe that I just had my carpenter put in. They couldn't fix it right so I had my carpenter come back to fix it. I had to pay $200 more to get it fixed. I sent them the invoice. [redacted] handled the issue very poorly and said it was my fault and didn't want to refund this to me. He wasn't very professional. They say its a lifetime guaranty but now I wonder if I'll get service in the future. My carpenter saw them shoving the pipe into the leaf guard down spout as did I.Desired Settlement: I would like the $200 I had to pay my carpenter to fix their damage. I would also like an apology. I paid them $2228 only to get poor service. I should've asked to talk to [redacted] or [redacted].

Business

Response:

The day our installers came out to put in her gutter system,

they saw the drain tile pipe that Ms. [redacted] is referring to. They asked her if she wanted her downspout

hooked up to it. She said yes. They informed her that they would have to

move it a little to work. She was fine

with that. We dug up the pipe and moved

it so we could connect the downspout to it, when her neighbor came over and told them they can't move that pipe; it's there to drain water away from the patio. The crew put it back where it was. The

job was completed and she paid in full that day. Three days later she called our service department

and told her that we screwed it all up, was swearing at our service rep, really

upset that her patio washed out because we moved the drain tile at her request. We sent a crew out, for free, to

dig it up and redo it. Ms. [redacted] took it upon herself to call the people that originally

installed the pipe and have it fixed, since according to her we didn't do it

right. She called [redacted] and expressed her

disappointment with how things went; [redacted] explained that we were just doing

what we were asked, and that he was willing to pay half of the $200.00 bill for

the repair. She agreed. We sent her a check for $100.00, so I’m

surprised to see she’s requesting $200.00.

We thought everything was settled, and then we received the Revdex.com

complaint, which we did not anticipate.

We feel that we have gone above and beyond to help her at our expense, and

will not be sending her any more money.

Business

Response:

I have in front of me the check that was cashed by [redacted] (the carpenter) for $100.00. We sent it directly to them

after Ms. [redacted] sent us the invoice. I don’t want to argue about the

way our employees were spoken to, but there is record of her swearing at [redacted]

in our service department, not [redacted], well before we received this

complaint. We are sorry that she isn’t happy, but we truly feel we’ve

already gone above and beyond at this point. We were told by her to

connect the downspout to the drain tile. We came back on our dollar, and

paid half of the fee to have it redone.

Consumer

Response:

Review: We contracted with Lindus Construction for new shingles and the work began on July 17, 2013 with the removal of the [redacted] gutters (also a product of Lindus). The removal and installation of our shingles was completed in a few days but the gutters have not been reinstalled. We have called and emailed repeatedly an have been told that their crews are different and told how busy they are completing work on other projects. They finally came out and put up some of the gutters after repeated phone calls by us to their office. We have difficulty in mowing our grass since the gutters are laying around our yard and we have now found numerous nails around the perimeter of our home from the shingle installation work. We expressed concern about the back of our house which has a single LeafGuard gutter which has been sitting on our grass side yard on a slope and expressed concern about that piece being bent. On July 31, Lindus came out, put up ladders and then took down the ladders and left without any information to us and leaving e 60 foot gutter still on our grass and side yard. We called their office and we were now that the gutter needs to be replaced but received no commitment on a date or when the now- broken gutter would be removed from our yard and when we can expect a new gutter section installed Their office is now calling and sending letters asking for full payment on the job.Desired Settlement: Provide a commitment of when we can expect completion, complete the job and replace the LeafGuard gutters that the Lindus crew broke, clean up the yard to remove any nails, take away the broken gutter materials, and stop asking for full payment until the job has been completed (as specified in the contract/agreement).

Business

Response:

I am pleased to report that the work was completed at their home on Friday, August 9, 2013. We apologize for the original delay and didn't expect to find the gutter damaged when we returned to the property to finish the work. The gutter was left in the yard to be re-installed, and when our crew arrived to install it, they found it had been damaged, which required our truck to come back and make a new piece of gutter. That should have been communicated to the property owner, and apparently wasn't. To the best of my knowledge, all work is complete in accordance with our contract. If the [redacted]'s have any further questions or concerns, they may contact me at any time. We appreciate their patience during this whole process.

Thank you,

Review: In June-July 2013 we had our roof replaced by Lindus Construction who hired two different subcontractors for various parts of the job including remove and replacement of shingles and remove and replacement of a flat roof over our dining room. In February 2014, we had water leakage.

I maintain that a new roof with a 50-year warranty should not leak. Lindus maintains that we should have performed "routine maintenance" and removed the snow. We were not advised of the need for removing snow and interpreted the warranty as being void if we damaged the roof due to "traffic" or "impact".

(There are several written communications between myself and Lindus Construction that provide further details about the problem which I am wanting to provide to the Revdex.com.)Desired Settlement: 1. Re-roof the valley area where the flat roof, siding and slope with shingles over the kitchen all meet at no additional cost by October 30, 2014.

2. Repair or re-roof the east side of the second story roof with ice shield underneath at no additional cost before June 2015 if evidence exists in the attic that leaking occurred between the top of ice shield and the new gutters.

3. Replace the door frame/jamb to the porch so the door shuts properly because the door frame/jamb was damaged from leaking water and the door doesn't shut properly.

4. Take responsibility for repairing at no additional cost the damage in the dining room before June 2015. Specifically:

a. Scrape, patch, sand and paint the ceiling where ceiling paint has cracked.

b. Replace entrance casing where water dripped.

c. Sand and coat wood floor

Business

Response:

In the attachment you will find copies of the correspondence we sent to Mr. [redacted] outlining what we are prepared to offer in terms of resolution of his issues. There are some parts of his complaint that are reasonable, and we've agreed to them. However, the leak in question is neither the fault of any work we performed, nor the result of faulty materials or workmanship. The area in question has been maintained by [redacted] in the past by shoveling ice and snow off of the roof. We never informed him to discontinue this maintenance in any way, shape or form with the new roof. In the attachment you will see that we have provided a copy of recommended roof maintenance, which is in accordance with industry standards. In our professional opinion, the leak is a result of excess snow and ice building on the roof, then backing up and leaking inside his home. Any interior damages related to this leak are also the responsibility of the property owner. If the leak was a result of faulty workmanship or materials, the leak would occur in rain as well as in the winter, and to our knowledge, the leak has not recurred. We have inspected the work for defect and have found none. Re-roofing the area in question will not accomplish anything; the roof needs to be cleared of ice and snow in the winter, and that has and always will be the responsibility of the property owner.

[redacted] met with the city inspector and Mr. [redacted] at the property in question on August 14, 2014. The inspector has stated that all of our work is complete and in compliance, and he will sign off on it as soon as we complete the insulation work we have agreed to perform at no cost to Mr. [redacted]. We look forward to resolution as well.