Phil's Home Repair

There are several items of discrepancy regarding the message from business statement, as referenced in your letter dated Sept 23, 2015.
1.      [redacted] states he noticed “water running down the side of the house.” This is not possible due to the location of the leak. It was directly under the toilet and below it by about 12”-14”, and it was at least 6’ from any outside wall.
2.      [redacted] states he was “trying to stop the active leaking water from flooding the house”. The house was not in danger of flooding due to the location of the leak. As stated above, the leak was under the floor by 12”-14”. I had it on so he could find the leak. He stopped the leak by turning off the water.
3.      [redacted] states it was “the only restroom in the mobile home”. Actually there are two bathrooms/restrooms. The affected bathroom was the master bath. He should have known this as he spent some time looking at both bathroom, and they are back-to-back.
4.      [redacted] stated he made a phone call in [redacted]’s and my presence. [redacted] was in the house drawing a complete floor plan of the entire home and measuring every inch of it. [redacted] had told me this is what [redacted] would do, as per his requirement. [redacted] did not say he was going to make a call. He merely pulled out his phone and hit one number. I thought maybe he was calling his wife. I moved away to give him some privacy.
5.      I was shocked when [redacted] declared that the family would have to be removed from the house for overnight, maybe a week. This made me quite suspicious of his character and expertise. When he told me he would have to dig a trench in the middle of the driveway clear to the street. I know then that I would not be using his company. However, I was extremely curious about what his bid would reveal.
6.      You have a copy of his bid. [redacted] states “I went over it in detail with her and answered her questions”. The bid does not including detail other than the word plumbing and the price. The only question I ask is if the price also includes the carpentry work that [redacted] had perceived. He said no, it was only the plumbing and that the carpentry bid would be available upon completion of the plumbing.
7.      [redacted] states “Doris asked for and authorized the portable toilet,” I DID NOT.
I am very interested to know if [redacted] on the Spot really charges $145.00 per day per toilet that seems outrageous to me.
8.      My son is a disabled plumber. His son, my grandson, fixed the leak when he got home from work, the same day [redacted] was there it took about 15 minutes total.
I was getting bids on a total re-plumb of the whole house, spurred on by a simple leak. What a lesson it has been. I would have been happy if [redacted] has capped the leak (as my grandson had done). I would have paid him cash on the spot, $145.00. Instead, he has caused this horrible nightmare.
Thank you so very much!
[redacted]
PS: I am 72 years old. I don’t like being treated this way. Electrolysis applies to copper & galvanized, not plastic.

On 4/30/15 I received a call from [redacted] to bid a job on a modular home located in the [redacted] She expressed that is was important to her to get several bids as her insurance...

company instructed her. She had damaged flooring and plumbing in the only restroom in the mobile home due to electrolysis having eaten away at the PVC pipe fittings. She said the bathroom was not functional.     A time was agreed upon and I met [redacted] at the mobile home in order to measure the flooring and evaluate the damage to the plumbing.  I called one of my subs, [redacted], a licensed flooring contractor ([redacted] C-15 Flooring) to meet me at the job site. We arrived about the same time and as we walked up to the door together we noticed water running down the side of the house and onto the road. As we entered the mobile home we could hear the water running.  At this time our focus shifted from evaluating the damage in order to write an estimate to trying to stop the active leaking water from flooding the house and causing more damage. So I turned the water off at the main line. Once the water was turned off we started our conversation with [redacted] regarding the needed repairs. She expressed concern about what her family was to do without a working restroom and stated that they don’t have anywhere they could relocate to while the repairs were being made. It was then that I suggested she get a portable toilet delivered while she was considering bids and to have on site while the repairs were being made. She said something to the effect that that was a great idea and could I help her with those arrangements. I then made the phone call right then and there in her and [redacted]’s presence to [redacted] and ordered the portable toilet. I told her to keep me posted as to who was getting the bid and that I would mail her an invoice for the portable toilet.  We finished collecting the information needed to complete our estimates and left. To my memory about two days later she stopped buy my house to pick up the estimate. I went over it in detail with her and answered her questions. After a few days or so she let me know she gave the job to someone else. About 30 days later when I received the invoice from [redacted]t, I paid it and then sent her the $145 invoice that is now in question.   I have billed her every month since and my bookkeeper has also contacted her by phone regarding payment. My bookkeeper had a few phone conversations with her regarding payment. In the last phone call my bookkeeper did mention to her that if the bill was not paid it would be turned over to collections. Very shortly after that conversation I received your letter regarding her complaint.   If needed notarized statements can be arranged from [redacted] who was present when [redacted] asked for and authorized the portable toilet be delivered and from [redacted].   Thank you,   [redacted] Phil’s Home Repair

Review: Dear Revdex.com/CLB

On or about 4/1/15, my mobile home developed a plumbing problem. (not my residence) I called several contractors and received some verbal quotes for repairs.

On contractor [redacted], requested a site visit. After the walk through, [redacted] stated that the job would take one day for completion. His crew would be required to stay on-site, therefor they would need a portable toilet on the site, a cost of only $100’ [redacted] walked to his truck saying he would have a written quote ready the next day.

I continued calling other companies for quotes. [redacted] gave me a quote of $2,500. The next morning I found a portable toilet blocking the front entrance to the mobile. I called the number listed on the door or side of the unit. I told them I did not order it and I want it removed immediately. They were not able to pick it up until the next day.

About 4 days passed and I have not heard from [redacted]. I called and asked him if he was still interested in bidding. He seemed irate, saying not to call him, that he is busy, and that he doesn’t have time to talk to me. Also stating “Don’t call me anymore!” The work was completed, but not by [redacted]. No portable toilet was needed.

About a week later, [redacted] called and said his quote was ready and he wanted me to pick it up at his house. Estimate #[redacted], dated 4/15/15 was for $7,500.00.

I called and talked with [redacted]’s secretary. I told her that the bid was much higher than another that I had received. She said she will tell [redacted].

Then I got a invoice, dated 5/18/15 for $145.00. I called and notified [redacted]s secretary that I will not be paying the bill. She said it will be turned over to collections if I don’t pay it. I explained what has happened in case she was not aware. The secretary has called my house twice, threatening to turn me over into collections. I feel like I am being harassed.

On about 8/8/15, I received a invoice #[redacted], dated 5/18/2015 for “Services for [redacted]”, in the amount of $145. There is a hand written not to call [redacted] for questions. I called and left a short message on his recorder.

8/18/15 It has been three days since I called [redacted]. He has not returned my call. I am on edge waiting and wondering what is going to happen next. I would deeply appreciate some help. Thank you,Desired Settlement: $145.00…… She said it will be turned over to collections if I don’t pay it. I explained what has happened in case she was not aware. The secretary has called my house twice, threatening to turn me over into collections. I feel like I am being harassed.

Business

Response:

On 4/30/15 I received a call from [redacted] to bid a job on a modular home located in the [redacted] She expressed that is was important to her to get several bids as her insurance company instructed her. She had damaged flooring and plumbing in the only restroom in the mobile home due to electrolysis having eaten away at the PVC pipe fittings. She said the bathroom was not functional. A time was agreed upon and I met [redacted] at the mobile home in order to measure the flooring and evaluate the damage to the plumbing. I called one of my subs, [redacted], a licensed flooring contractor ([redacted] C-15 Flooring) to meet me at the job site. We arrived about the same time and as we walked up to the door together we noticed water running down the side of the house and onto the road. As we entered the mobile home we could hear the water running. At this time our focus shifted from evaluating the damage in order to write an estimate to trying to stop the active leaking water from flooding the house and causing more damage. So I turned the water off at the main line. Once the water was turned off we started our conversation with [redacted] regarding the needed repairs. She expressed concern about what her family was to do without a working restroom and stated that they don’t have anywhere they could relocate to while the repairs were being made. It was then that I suggested she get a portable toilet delivered while she was considering bids and to have on site while the repairs were being made. She said something to the effect that that was a great idea and could I help her with those arrangements. I then made the phone call right then and there in her and [redacted]’s presence to [redacted] and ordered the portable toilet. I told her to keep me posted as to who was getting the bid and that I would mail her an invoice for the portable toilet. We finished collecting the information needed to complete our estimates and left. To my memory about two days later she stopped buy my house to pick up the estimate. I went over it in detail with her and answered her questions. After a few days or so she let me know she gave the job to someone else. About 30 days later when I received the invoice from [redacted]t, I paid it and then sent her the $145 invoice that is now in question. I have billed her every month since and my bookkeeper has also contacted her by phone regarding payment. My bookkeeper had a few phone conversations with her regarding payment. In the last phone call my bookkeeper did mention to her that if the bill was not paid it would be turned over to collections. Very shortly after that conversation I received your letter regarding her complaint. If needed notarized statements can be arranged from [redacted] who was present when [redacted] asked for and authorized the portable toilet be delivered and from [redacted]. Thank you, [redacted] Phil’s Home Repair

Consumer

Response:

There are several items of discrepancy regarding the message from business statement, as referenced in your letter dated Sept 23, 2015.1. [redacted] states he noticed “water running down the side of the house.” This is not possible due to the location of the leak. It was directly under the toilet and below it by about 12”-14”, and it was at least 6’ from any outside wall.2. [redacted] states he was “trying to stop the active leaking water from flooding the house”. The house was not in danger of flooding due to the location of the leak. As stated above, the leak was under the floor by 12”-14”. I had it on so he could find the leak. He stopped the leak by turning off the water.3. [redacted] states it was “the only restroom in the mobile home”. Actually there are two bathrooms/restrooms. The affected bathroom was the master bath. He should have known this as he spent some time looking at both bathroom, and they are back-to-back.4. [redacted] stated he made a phone call in [redacted]’s and my presence. [redacted] was in the house drawing a complete floor plan of the entire home and measuring every inch of it. [redacted] had told me this is what [redacted] would do, as per his requirement. [redacted] did not say he was going to make a call. He merely pulled out his phone and hit one number. I thought maybe he was calling his wife. I moved away to give him some privacy.5. I was shocked when [redacted] declared that the family would have to be removed from the house for overnight, maybe a week. This made me quite suspicious of his character and expertise. When he told me he would have to dig a trench in the middle of the driveway clear to the street. I know then that I would not be using his company. However, I was extremely curious about what his bid would reveal.6. You have a copy of his bid. [redacted] states “I went over it in detail with her and answered her questions”. The bid does not including detail other than the word plumbing and the price. The only question I ask is if the price also includes the carpentry work that [redacted] had perceived. He said no, it was only the plumbing and that the carpentry bid would be available upon completion of the plumbing.7. [redacted] states “Doris asked for and authorized the portable toilet,” I DID NOT.I am very interested to know if [redacted] on the Spot really charges $145.00 per day per toilet that seems outrageous to me.8. My son is a disabled plumber. His son, my grandson, fixed the leak when he got home from work, the same day [redacted] was there it took about 15 minutes total.I was getting bids on a total re-plumb of the whole house, spurred on by a simple leak. What a lesson it has been. I would have been happy if [redacted] has capped the leak (as my grandson had done). I would have paid him cash on the spot, $145.00. Instead, he has caused this horrible nightmare.Thank you so very much![redacted]PS: I am 72 years old. I don’t like being treated this way. Electrolysis applies to copper & galvanized, not plastic.