Free Technical Information for Building Inspectors, Contractors and Consumers. Code and Manufacturer's Information Resource
" I Hate my Contractor !!!!"
Note: All names below are ficticious. I wish the stories were not. -MD
Professor of Engineering _____________had made the investment of his life in an 1850's farm home and 100 acres of rolling hills only 40 minutes from the small university where he had achieved tenure. He had seen the home improvement shows and got "the bug".
He wanted a red metal roof for the home , large barn and detached garage. Looking in the large yellow book he located a company called "Roofy". Now this ad was a full page and was for a directory in an area of over one-million . (not cheap)
"Roofy" came to his home and quickly got to work measuring and assessing the project. "Roofy" even removed some old soffit at the side of the home that was rotted and did a little patch work at the eaves. It only took a few minutes; but the Professor was impressed seeing that he had not even hired "Roofy" yet.
Very articulate and pleasant the Professor was impressed- until he got the quote. It was substantially higher that he had imagined.
Seeing the disappointment on his face "Roofy" said " I have an idea".
He said " I know a man who just finished a large commercial project and has more than enought 5-V metal roofing to do this job. Now he will sell that material for $9,000 -but he wants cash. Now if you decide to go that route I will install the product for a fee of $4500. This will bring the total to over $8,000 in savings. What do you think?"
Now the Professor was not usually a compulsive individual so he told "Roofy" that he would have to think about it. When pressed for a time to decide the Professor told "Roofy" that he should expect a decision in the morning.
Next day- Professor goes to his bank and withdraws $9,000 . From there he goes to work. Later that same day he calls "Roofy" and ask him to drop by his home in the evening.
"Roofy" shows up at 7 pm and is met on the front porch by the Professor.
Leaving with the $9000 (cash) , "Roofy" says " We will start on Monday".
Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-
Professor calls the number listed in the yellow book for "Roofy"- leaves a voice message- no return call.
Thursady-Friday-Saturday-Sunday-
No contact
Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-
No contact
On Thursday the Professor contacts the Better Business Bureau. They tell him that they know "Roofy" well and advise him to go to the local sheriff's office.
The Professor goes to the sheriff's office and files a report. His claim will be processed as soon as they catch up with the other dozen or so cases involving "Roofy".
The Professor had a reciept for the $9000 and wanted ACTION.
Detective __________then began to educate the educator.
In this state there are two distinct paths a case can go; criminal or civil. Criminal being the most severe.
If "Roofy" had taken the cash and performed no service the case would be criminal. But, (remember the soffit and eave work?) since a service had been performed the case will be civil. Therefore, the Professor must sue "Roofy".
"Roofy" was last known to be headed to Louisiana to "help" with Hurricane Katrina relief.
The professor has a piece of paper that states he has a favorable "judgment" over "Roofy".
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TIP #1. The YELLOW book ads do not care if you are licesned, insured, reputable, honest, or anything else ....THEY SELL ADs. Just because a contractor has a pretty yellw ad does not assure you of anything.
TIP# 2. DO NOT GIVE CASH ! EVER.
Tip#3. Get a written contract.
Tip#4. Get a vehicle tag number
Tip # 5. If they don't have a dedicated phone at a specific location -BEWARE. When a contractor only has a mobile phone -then he is likely to be mobile.
How about a good story: "Loaf bread"
One of my fondest memories was the winter of 1977. Now the winter was not anything to brag about-it was COLD!! and ICY!!!
But let me tell my story.
That Friday had seen a freeze quite uncommon for our area and we just were not use to such cold and ice. Snow was one thing- ice another.
As pipes began to thaw the water began to flow. Our little shop's phone was "ringing off the hook". It was all hands on deck as my mother, the brilliant coordinantor, began to bark the orders. I got my truck loaded with what I thought I might need for repairs and took my service tickets. Then off I went. The first two calls were not too bad; but I was freezing.
Next on the list was a little house in town. The name on the ticket was Mrs. Martin; so off to Mrs. Martin' s house I went. Thinking about how I could spend the extra money that was sure to be given out after my days work helped a little; but as I said before it sure was cold.
Arriving at Mrs. Martin's house I quickly went about my business. Yes, the water was on but not much pressure. I went to the crawl-space door and could here the water flowing . Quickly assessing the problem the water main was turned off. This house had copper tubing and should not be too hard to get back in service.
With my cover-alls on - under the house I went . My trusty tool tray and torch in tow. The problem area was found and a section of piping cut out.
Problem: water kept flowing through the pipes. Slightly - but just enough to not allow my soldering to be effective. . So, I pulled out the old plumbers trick.
PLUMBERS TRICK: If water gets by the old meter after you have made sure it is completely in the "off" position you can (on copper piping) take the center out of good-ole white bread (yes, the kind you eat) -pack it up the pipe . This will hold the water long enough to allow the soldering process. When you turn the water back on you open outside hydrants first and the bread usually dissolves and "presto!".
Problem: I did not have bread on my truck. It is not something you typically carry on a plumbing service truck.
So , from the crawlspace I come. Wet, cold, and yes (I was 17) hungry. I went to the truck with no real purpose. I knew what I needed to do-get a piece of bread. . But first, I thought I would ask the homeowner for a slice of bread.
So I went to the front door and knocked-and knocked.
Mrs. Martin was a little hard of hearing. She came to the door and I asked if she might have a couple of pieces of white bread I could have.
She asked " Loaf bread?"
"Yes , please, two pieces will be fine" was my reply ; not taking the time to give an explanation for my request.
"Is that all?"
" I would appreciate it.."
"O.K. Would you like to come in and warm up? "
"No, I'm wet and muddy...I better just wait here. If you don't mind."
" Well, wait here, I'll be right back".
So I waited, and waited. It seemed to take forever!
Again, I was cold, wet (I had already changed clothes once that day), and hungry.
Wait.
Wait.
Wait.
Finally, I heard her coming.
She opened the door.
And there it was!
I could not believe it. I tried to hide my big grin.
Mrs. Martin had made me two of the best looking county ham sandwiches I had ever seen! She had them on a plate with some potato chips and a pickle and coffee.
They were warm! I didn't know if I should eat them or just hold them close for the warmth.
We sat on the front porch, Mrs. Martin and I , as I enjoyed one of those sandwiches and a cup of coffee.
Mrs. Martin told me about her life ; and about Mr. Martin who had owned a hardware store in town. He had passed ten years ago next March 15. Mrs. Martin had worked at the town hall for a short time but enjoyed most her work at her church. She talked about the town and the Lord. I really enjoyed my time with her.
After our talk, I asked if I could save the other sandwich for later. She smiled and said for me to let her wrap it up in aluminum foil. So I waited. The wait didn't seem long at all.
I took my sandwich with me around to the back of the house . Making sure no one saw me I crawled under the house.
Now her cat loved me .
I unwrapped the sandwich, split the contents with her cat and got to work.
It worked like a charm. Solder took and the water was back on in short order.
Putting away my tools I did not feel cold, or wet or hungry anymore.
By the way, Mrs. Martin pressed for a bill so I wrote one out. She looked at me and we both smiled without a word being said. At Total I wrote
"Two Ham Sandwiches and Coffee" : PAID IN FULL.................
I will never forget you, Mrs. Martin.......Thanks.
Sara saw the TV commercial and thought it was "cute". There he was - Super-Poly Painter-Man- in his little red suit and mask. He offered a product that sounded like an answer to her home maintenace worries.
The advertisment for a polymer based application of an exterior siding sealer was said to be better than conventional paint. Best of all, never paint again.
So she gave Painter-Man a call.
He made his visit to her home the following Monday. She expalined that this was to be thier dream home. Her husband had done many of the projects around the house. But unknown then was the cancer that was taking over. He died just two years ago next June.
Poly-Man offered words of courage and comfort. He said that not only was he going to give her his best price for the application of his product ; he was going to take care of some of her many incomplete projects .
The price seemed high when he gave her the estimate. He did not call it in as other contractors had done in the past. He came right out to see her and to answer any questions she might have. Signing the contract she wrote the initial required payment of $10,000.
Workers began taking out old doors and fixing her exterior deck two days later. The exterior applicatio of Poly-Man's polymer was to begin in two days. Poly-Man said the unfinished projects were more than he expected . He would need a check for $8000.
When Poly-Man started applying his product Sara though it looked just like regular paint to her. he explained that thsi was a "special" product and he himself held the patent for it. Sara was impressed. Only getting half of the back of the home finished Poly-Man had to quit for the day. He told Sara he was going on a mission trip for his church and would be back in five days. He asked for-and Sara gave him a check for another $8000.
Ten days later Sara was getting concerned . No Poly-Man. No answer to the many voice mails she left on his cell phone (the only number she had).
Two weeks go by-no Poly-Man. Sara also noticed that his TV ads had stopped.
Sara's friends instructed her to call the sheriff's office. She did and was told to contact the local better business bureau. She contacted them.
They said they had just recently started recieving similar complaints on Poly-Man.
Sara contacted the loacl TV station. They told her taht Ploy-Man owed a rather large advertising bill; they too would like to talk to him.
The local TV station had a reporter who did consumer issue stories. The reporter contacted Sara and the TV crew came to her home to do a story about her plight.
The reporter had located Poly-Man. They met him at a location he said was his office. On the news that night he looked sharp and promised to make all complaint right. He said he had some medical problems that had left him unable to work for several weeks; but was much better now !
Sara felt relieved. Finally, her home would be completed. At the interview the reporter asked Poly-Man to call her. he did; and promised to be out to complete the work in three days. He even said he was going to give her back $5000.
One. Then Two. Then three weeks. No Poly-Man.
The sheriff's office sent out a detective. He brought the local building inspector with him .
The "polymer" was only exterior grade paint ( and cheap paint at that). Three doors had been changed out and some decking applied. The deck was not code compliant. A rough estimate was made that about $1500 worth of material and work had been done.
The sheriff got the local solicitor to pursue the case.
RESULT: Poly-Man is in Jail.
After his jail time he will be on probation for five years. During the first twenty-four months he must make full restitution to Sara or he will have to go back to jail for the full five years.
Sara's house is a mess and she has no money to finish the work.
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