ComplaintsforRumsey Construction & Restoration

• Initial Complaint

  03/07/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In early Feb 2024 our HVAC stopped working. We called the installing company to have it checked. The tech noticed water in our crawl space that needed removal before he could check the system. The tech suggested (Rumsey Construction and Repair). He contacted Rumsey to look and give an extraction quote Rumsey sent a tech, took photos and stated the removal rate was $20 per 50 gallons of water. He explained the possibility of insulation removal and chemical spray to combat mold if needed. He said we wouldnt know the total until it was removed but said the bill was $2,000.00, worst case scenario. We said this would be out of pocket. A day later when extraction team arrived, I asked the tech how they measure water removed and he said they dont have a way of measuring.I asked the tech how they would calculate the cost if they dont measure the water, and he said, I was told to come do the job.When we opened the crawl space door, the water had drastically receded and evaporating on its own. The technician said he was told to expect a couple hour job.10 to 11 minutes after they pulled in my driveway to start work, they packed up to leave. I asked how I would be charged for this 10 minute job and not a couple hour job.I called the company, One Hour Heating and Cooling, that recommended the extraction company, to inform them it was a 10 minute job.I contacted Rumsey Construction to let them know it was a 10 minute job.After some time, Rumsey called to ask for my insurance inormation. I declined.Feb 26, I get an invoice for $3344.01. It shows inflated charges and charges for work not done. They calculated 200sq feet of water removed which equals 450 gallons at 4 deep. At the quoted rate of $20 per 50 gal thats $180. We offered to pay a reasonable bill of $1K for the actual work.Rumseys calculations were from photos taken before day of service.I fear this is an insurance scam and abuse.After contact with Rumsey, they now threaten a lien on my property.

  Business response

  03/07/2024

  ******************** is attempting to simply not pay anything for the work completed.  ******************** signed a work authorization and a price list before work was completed.
  1.10.24 - We inspected and gave the scope of work day one.  
  1.11.24 -  Day two we were called to execute the contract and perform the work, which was removing sewage/Cat 3 water from ************************ crawlspace. 
  1.12.24 -  We inspected again on day 3 to confirm completion of work accurately.  ******************* also signed a certificate of completion on this day. 
  Our pricing is not per gallon, it is per square foot as outlined on the signed rate sheet, again which was signed by ******************* before work began.  Our billing reflects exactly that with the square footage breakdown included. 
  
  
  ******************** said he was told a not to exceed price of $2,000.  Our team does not give out pricing on inspections.  With that being said we attempted to settle with ******************** for $2000 instead of the $3,344.01 which was invoiced.  He declined and accused us of fraud and mentioned legal action.  This was all documented through email. 
  
  
  All of these claims arose when collections calls came from our team on the delinquent balance which is approaching 60 days outstanding.  We have moved forward with a notice of intent to lien, which is standard practice across our industry.  ******************** received that NOI yesterday. 
  
  
  We would like to consider this not a legitimate complaint. There have been no complaints of workmanship or pricing issues until the balance became delinquent and the collections calls started.  We have attempted to be agreeable and settle for the amount ******************** mentioned with no success.  We will move forward with legal action on the balance to protect ourselves as a company but feel we have done everything within our power to take care of ******************* as a consumer. 
  
  
  Thank you

  Customer response

  03/08/2024

   
  I am rejecting this response because:
  Fraudulent invoice

  I apologize for misdating work which was done in January on previous correspondence.

  
   All Rumsey workers who came to my residence were polite and professional.

  I contacted Rumsey the day the job was completed to let them know the job took 10 minutes and that my bill should reflect that. The tech who came to do the extraction said he was told that it was a one to two hour job.

  My first bill was received Feb 26th, the same day I called to dispute charges.

  Ive never received a call from a bill collector and my dispute was not triggered by any such call.

  When I contacted Rumsey and ******************* returned my call, I expected he would rectify the billing. He did not. 

  I have always been willing to pay an accurate, reasonable bill based on the scope of the actual job and the time it took to perform. 10 minutes.

  i was quoted $20. Per 50 gallons and that was what I signed. The other charges are fabricated and the rate list shown to me does not apply as the job was a simple extraction.

  It is beyond reason that a 10 minute job could be $3,344.01 and as the average extraction is between $4.00 and $9.00 per square foot and Rumseys invoice states they removed 200 square feet of water, that should be evident.

  Rumsey states that they removed sewage water which is false. The water accumulated after a storm and their own tech stated that it was rain water. 

  There was no debris, and there was no mold.

  After an email exchange, ******************** told me he would have his legal team contact me directly. Now they threaten a Lien against my property if I dont pay the full, fraudulent bill.

  The response offered by Rumsey is misleading and shows a great carelessness with facts. Ive included photos to show the exchange between myself and Rumsey.

  I offered, more than once to pay  $1000.00, which is still a lot of money for 10 minutes of.

  
  

  Business response

  03/11/2024

  Good Morning
  
  
  We have attached all the documentation for the file.
  
  
  Work authorization which clearly outlines payment terms and base pricing
  *********************** formal letter to Rumsey with remarks of escalation to DOI, etc. 
  The Certificate of Completion for the project
  The Notice of intent to lien as outlined in our work authorization
  
  
  We have offered a resolution of $2000 to ******************** which is a substantial reduction to billing of 40%.
  
  
  While we generally do not recommend internet based pricing, the pricing ******************** provided from the internet is within 4% of what was charged for extraction.  $9-$12 per square foot was the pricing ******************** provided for Cat 3 extraction. Our estimate is also attached for reference.
  
  
  The purpose of the BBB is to advance marketplace trust by rating businesses based on their reliability and performance, and facilitating the resolution of consumer complaints.
  
  
  Not only has a resolution been facilitated by Rumsey prior to BBB involvment but that resolution which we find fair has also been extended here.  By supplying our documentation for the file and actually doing so to each and every client we are inherently showing trust and an effort to be as completely transparent as possible by publishing standard pricing in advance. 
  
  
  We hope this resolves this complaint.  Our legal process has been engaged as outlined in our work authorization.  Again we offer the $2000 settlement to bring the file to resolution.  The lower amount suggested by ******************** is not a reasonable request.  
  
  
  Thank you
  

  Customer response

  03/11/2024

   
  I am rejecting this response because:Rumsey is still misrepresenting the work done.

  As the Rumsey tech clarified, there was never sewage or sewer water under my house. Rumsey pumped the water extracted into the gutter at my driveway which probably would be a major health hazard if it were sewage.

  Rumsey insists on misrepresenting the facts.

  Rumsey stating that I contacted BBB because of collection calls is absurd as no bill collector called. The first bill I received was on February 26th.

  Rumsey reducing their fraudulent bill by 40% still doesnt make it fair. Again I was quoted $20 per 50 gallons extracted. And that is what I signed.

  I tried to work with Rumsey but I will not pay an inaccurate and inflated bill.

  As a senior, it matters that I not allow this company to take advantage of me.

  I have agreed to pay $1000.00 as that would be far closer to fair pay for the 10 minutes of work they did.

  
  

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