ComplaintsforFick Bros. Roofing & Exterior Remodeling Co.

• Initial Complaint

  04/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I contacted Fick Brothers to get an estimate for a roof leak that I was having. I called their office the week between Christmas and New Years. Their office was closed and the recording on their machine said that the office was closed and they let the employees take this week off and to please leave a message. I left a message that I had a roof leak and wanted to get an estimate for repair. The following week when they opened, I received a call from them scheduling the inspection to provide a quote for repair. This happened I believe on Jan 4th. The estimator met with my husband, they talked about the roof, I believe they said it needed to be replaced and possibly gave him a ballpark number, I'm not sure, we met with 3 different roofers. However, we never received any formal proposal from them in writing. What I did receive a few weeks later was a bill for $175 for the inspection. I called their office and left a message with Ashely and did not receive a return call. Each month, they continue to send me an invoice and I have already left 2 messages for them to return my call and they have not. When I did call their office to talk to them, the recording said that there was a charge for estimates. I thought it was free because when I called the first time when they were closed, their recorded message did not say there was a charge only that their office was closed for the holiday. When I made the appt with them, it was not told to me that there would be a charge, so I assumed it was a free estimate, like the other 2 roofing companies that I met with. Both of them gave us free estimates. If I had known, I would not have made the appointment. I am afraid if this does not get resolved they will try to put a lien on my house. They have refused to call me back after I have left messages and they keep sending me an invoice each month, now with added interest. I think they just made a mistake and did not tell me about the charge which is unfair.

  Business response

  04/11/2024

  The confusion here is that the *****'s did not schedule an estimate, they scheduled a service call.  Service calls are billable, and the rates are explained over the phone when the service is scheduled. Estimates from an estimator in our sales department are free but they asked for a service call.  These options are clearly explained on the front end. There is a minimum charge of $175.00 which covers the first 45 minutes of the visit.  Any time over the first 45 minutes is billed at a rate of $110.00 per hour.  Our service tech met with the homeowners and assessed the issue and then discussed options for the repair. The homeowners decided not to have any repairs completed by Fick Bros and stated they would try and fix themselves. They were billed the $175.00 minimum charge for the visit, diagnosis, and evaluation.  In good faith, Fick Bros will issue a credit for this visit for the full amount of the serice call.

   

  Sincerely,

  Patrick F***

  President

• Initial Complaint

  11/29/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  December 5, 2022 I contracted Fick Roofing to address a leaking problem. I singed a contract, for the roof and the chimney to be repaired, as they were not able to figure out which one was causing the leak. Water has continued to leak into my front room, despite several trips back by the company. Replaced shingles, water still leaks. Finally decided to wrap the chimney in tarps to see if it was roof or chimney. Inspector noted there are cracks all around where the NEW bricks meet the crown. The chimney was demolished and rebuilt from the roof line to the top. Rain is not leaking in, so it appears it is the chimney problem, not the roof. I emailed my salesman for info on what is the next plan and had to ask AGAIN before getting a response. I have paid in full, $13,000. $10,000 of that for chimney repair. The chimney has not been repaired. I have been inconvenienced by putting a temporary cover over the very large hole in my room, which with freezing temps, does not do much good. I would like this company to offer me some financial reimbursement while they are deciding how to remedy the chimney problem which definitely should NOT be cracking after 8 months. I am not able to repair the hole until I am sure no more water will come in.

  Business response

  12/11/2023

  Fick Bros is aware of the ongoing leak and have been very responsive in attempting to find the source each time a leak was reported. We have been communicating with Ms. ****** each step of the way since the work was completed. There is nothing obvious that stands out as the leak source. We have tried minor repairs on areas in question on the roof, chimney flashing, and chimney itself and nothing seems has resolved the ongoing leaking to date.  We have even performed water tests to try and recreate the leak. To date, we have not been successful in recreating the leak, therefore, in order to isolate the chimney from the roof in order to help identify the source, we decided to tarp the chimney but leave the roof exposed. Ms. ****** was aware of this plan and even mentioned that she was ok with the tarp and understood the process. She also understood that we wanted to let it rain several times to be sure and not just one or two rain events. No leaks have been reported since the tarp has been installed and it has rained several times. Therefore, we have decided to raise the tarp to only cover the chimney crown and top few courses and again wait for several rains to be sure. If no leaks are reported, then we are confident that the top of the chimney is the source and can make the necessary repairs. Fick Bros will always stand behind their work and repair any work that is covered under there workmanship warranty as agreed in the contract. We look forward to continuing to work with Ms. ****** to identify the source of the existing leak and make the necessary repairs.  Unfortunately, with older house and repair work, some leaks can be more troublesome than others. We appreciate her patience and look forward to resolving the leak. We don't offer refunds on completed work but will resolve the issue and correct any defective work as per the contract.  

  Thank You, 

  Patrick F***

  President 

  Customer response

  12/11/2023

  Mr. F*** has responded that the leak if hard to identify.  I was VERY patient with the process of finding the leak until it has now become apparent that the chimney is the problem, because there are cracks all the way around the top row of bricks where they meet the crown.  I do not understand why this would happen 4 months after the chimney was built from the roofline up, unless the work was not done correctly.  As a result, I have been inconvenienced for one year, unable to fix the large hole in my ceiling, getting on a ladder to place towels and buckets under the leak.

  Fick is willing to continue to work on the problem, as they should, the work is under warranty.  This repair work came to $13,000. and after one year, no resolution.  I was NEVER informed that there was a chance the leak would not be fixed when the work was done.  Now I am hearing the story from the salesman and Patrick F*** about "older homes". The tarp was trimmed today, now wait and see if there is a leak.  As previously stated, it seems clear the chimney is the problem. It will be months before this is resolved, I have been advised by a concrete contractor that winter is not the best time for chimney repair.  The chimney was rebuilt last January, possible reason for cracks?

  I am fine with the chimney being wrapped, unsightly as it is, because I have no other choice.  I just wish this option would have been offered months ago, during warm weather.  The problem could have been solved by now. 

  I have lost confidence in Fick Roofing and the work they did.  A job was sold to me that was not done right and has caused a great deal of inconvenience to me for one year.  I asked for some financial compensation for that inconvenience, and I now have Mr. F***'s response.

   

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩