ComplaintsforWillett's Construction

• Initial Complaint

  03/01/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  I entered into a contract with Willett Construction in July 2021, to repair my house after a tree fell on it. The owner, Alex Willett, assured us that the house would be repaired properly and in a timely fashion. and was paid $25K to do it. To date, the work is not completed, it seems what work was done looks to be leftovers from previous jobs. The siding does not match and looks like a quilt. The foundation was not fixed, it was cemented over to cover the crack in one spot. Soffits were not done, roof edge was not done, interior work was not completed. Window replacement was not what we ordered, (cheaper or leftover). My husband and I have done a lot of interior work to try to get our home back the way it was. We have exhausted our resources trying to do it. Work was sporadic as if they only came when there was nothing else to do. We used lumber from our own wood supply to assist. Alex came to the house after numerous complaints, agreed there was work to finish up, asked my husband how much he owed us and said he would be back. Haven't seen or heard from them. We are soon to be 2 yrs now come July. They have not answered any of my calls/emails. They refused a certified letter advising them I wanted my money back that was owed to us. At the very least, I would say half of the $25K. My ins co said that they have no recourse to assist us. Said to file with the BBB or call the police for theft of services/money. They did not put new wood under the tin roof, just covered the holes. My house leaks like a sieve. They were under the influence of weed (I caught them) when on my roof and jumped on an awning over the door. We came home from work to find the Front room ceiling leaking water. We had to disassemble the room ourselves, repair the leak and repaint the room. I asked for receipts of everything used, and received nothing. We now need to pay someone else to finish the work, (we are 59/61) I need my monies returned so I may be able to obtain new contractors. I got Co. from ****** ****.

  Business response

  03/21/2023

  An estimate was given to the homeowners for the damage from the tree falling into the house on 10/20/21 with a tentative start date of 11/15/21. Unfortunately, it was delayed and was not started until 12/14/21. The crew first started with removing the chimney, and where the house was exposed to the elements to make sure to have everything sealed to withstand the impending winter. January 12th after a windstorm, we were made aware that the tarp had become loose- and returned the following day (13th) to ensure the tarp was securely in place. After a stretch of extremely bitter cold weather, the crew removed and replaced a window the week of February 8th in the upstairs room- proceeding to install sheetrock, including the tape and mud in a timely manner. The homeowner did decide to purchase and install their own designed trim around the window- with discussion of a reimbursement for the difference of the price of the quoted trim. When the ground was thawed, the 22nd of March the crew returned to work on the foundation that was damaged by the tree falling. After the repair was made to the exterior of the foundation, the crew did go into the basement to jack and support the floor as well as the floor had become spongy (using wood supplied by homeowner- with the homeowner stating that he has had to level the floor every so often since they bought the house- this was not part of the contract). With the weather sporadically raining, it was best to wait until a stretch of good weather to install the roof (looking for potentially 5-7 days to proceed with removing and replacing the roof). After monitoring the weather, it was determined April 5th to start the roof replacement the following week of April 11th- starting with the replacement of the damaged soffit and fascia. The roof was finished by April 19th, with the homeowner reaching out to see if there was an advertising sign that she could place out front as she was so pleased with the roof and work done. The only remaining window(s) to be replaced was damaged when it was delivered, with a replacement ordered and scheduled to be delivered the first week of May. When that new window did come in, it was not the correct window- but because of the disappoint and the time waited for the replacements- it was decided to purchase two in-stock windows that would fit into the openings of the original 2 windows (instead of replacing it with 1)- costing more than the original window quoted. Speaking with the husband, who was elated with the work- he mentioned the discontentment of the wife due to the time it took for the repairs to be completed, and the look of the siding that was replaced where the chimney was removed. Being that aluminum siding is no longer available, and with the homeowners asking for a strip of soffit to cover the space left from the chimney, it was agreed that there would be new double 4-vinyl siding installed to cover the section-knowing that there was going to be a difference in the area. The husband was thrilled and satisfied with the work that was completed- but stated the wife was expecting more to be done, not just what the tree had damaged- but new soffit, fascia, and siding around the entire home. Upon further discussion with the husband as to what was to be included in the repair, with his agreement that the roof alone was 70% of the project. He stated he would explain this to his wife- with the last conversation stating that in all the time they have been married, he's never won an argument and didn't expect too now. Thank you! Jessica Willett

  Customer response

  03/22/2023

  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.  [First, I am completely take aback by Jessica's statement. The crew did start with the chimney. The gentleman, (1) came with his girlfriend and their infant, to which I complained to the company. The chimney was left in my back yard and I had to call to have it cleaned up. 2 days later they were there, picked it up and left. They came ut twice to put the same tattered brown tarp over the hole in my house and eventually my husband and neighbor secured it for the winter as it kept blowing off. The 4 guys they sent to work in a 7x7 room was ridiculous, they installed the window,  replaced a section of one wall with sheetrock and did nothing to the timber that was broke, except cover it with the sheetrock. They left all their equipment and dirt in the room. After a week, my husband and I cleaned it up. We finished sanding and painted. We were tired of waiting for the repair and fixed the window casing and painted the room ourselves.  My husband made the trim for the window.  The crew did go into the basement, not to level the house, but replace the floor jacks that broke when the tree hit.  As far as the foundation, there are holes and cracks still. The put a wood corner again the foundation where the block came out, and filled it with cement and took the form they made down. That was all that was done to the foundation. My husbands statement made to the guys was nothing more than general maintenance when you live in a house over 100 yrs old. The roof was placed, although I am not sure that the structure was covered with anything before applying the new tin. The fascias were not fixed, as the co. said the corbels would have to go, I accepted that, but the corbels are still there, meaning that work was not done. The sofit in the tv room was only repaired on the roof end, although still unpainted. So it has gone the winter as unpainted lumber. The back of the house sofit, gutters, paint, edging was not done at all. My husband did the best we could to make help prevent more damage. The roof is not finished. As the owner Alex admitted when he came to look at it. He said there was definitely finish work that still had to happen and asked my husband how much he owed him for his labor and materials. My husband said "talk to my wife". I did ask for the sign, I was excited to have the work starting and thought it would help them with their business, The window in the TV room was supposed to be a pay window, pricey, but we were not planning on replacing it again. We got a standard double cased window. Again, we settled to get the work done. We completed all the inside work on that too. The window was not 2, it went in as 1 unit. My husband was home on Medical leave for surgeries. The statement my husband was elated was not quite. He did say it should be really nice FINISHED. Yes, he was happy, and why not. Finally work seemed to be going and he was elated to have it done already. That is not to say the work was completed, he was expecting the company to follow through with their claims of making my house back to the way it was before the tree fell. We totally agree they do not make siding like ours any longer, but it  could have at least been white. When I question the guys doing it, they said it's on the back, no one will see it. I DID NOT expect anymore to be done, and nothing extra. My husband claims he did not tell them that I was expecting more. My contract, written by the owner, stated that the sofits and facia needed repairs. And included that amount in their estimate that was agreed upon by the adjuster and the Insurance company. The comments against me personally are false and I called my husband and asked if this is what he said. NO, not in the text she is referring to.  He knows I keep records and pictures. I don't go in without proof, and said she has the contract. The roof was not 70%, and was not completed. In fact, the edges are jagged on the roof, all the debris is still being picked up by us around the house where they worked and just threw it off the roof. I did come home and saw one person standing on an awning, I said it's not meant to walk on and he came down. The next day it rained and my ceiling under it was leaking through. We had to now repair the ceiling and repaint the front room. I am completely amazed, as a professional, that this is the stance they are taking. The "banter" between my husband and Alex Willett is just that, banter. I would also add that Jessica Willett complained they did not get the check, it came back to us, and we personally met her to give it to her. Unfortunately, my ignorance did not play well and they got the entire $25K. Any business I have talked to since, has said that the policy is a downpayment for supplies and the remainder is paid when the work was completed.  They said it was very UNprofessional to not have told me that and just took the whole thing.  Jessica also failed to say that the number of calls, emails, messages were outragious with no response from them at all. I even conceded and said that I get it, they are not coming back to finish. OK, so give me my money back that was owed me so I can hire a new company.  She was in my house, saw the damages had gotten worse from the lapse in repair time, agreed it all needed to be done. Nothing. My guess is, they no longer have the money from and are trying not to have to come up with the refund. I am not at all in agreement with her statements.  Regards,  ***** ******  

• Initial Complaint

  01/16/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On Friday May 6th Willett Construction was on my street doing a roof. I stopped ,asked if I could get an estimate. The supervisor came right down. I only needed the front half done so he did his measurements and gave me a written estimate $4200. I called on Monday May 9th to get on the calendar and give them the deposit. I gave them $3000 for the deposit. I was scheduled for the third week in August. They said since I was only a half roof they were going to try and get me in sooner. The last week of August I called and they said another couple weeks that the weather has put them behind. I continued to call and continued to be put off over and over. Finally in October they said they would be to me tomorrow which was a Tuesday. I called again Tuesday night because again no show they told me the job they were on took longer than they expected and would be there tomorrow Wednesday. My husband called me late Wednesday and said someone just dropped a trailer off in our front lawn and no one started any work. I called and spoke with the woman who takes their calls ( I’m assuming it’s the owners wife). I told her I wanted the trailer off my front lawn because I had finally had enough and didn’t want them doing my roof. I told her I would like my deposit returned to me. She said ok I will have them come get the trailer tomorrow and get with **** on refund. Well Thursday came and no one showed to get the trailer. On Friday I called to find out what happened and the owner answered telling me he was at the *******l *** **** *** ****** ******** He would come get the trailer tomorrow and would bring a check for refund. He did come get the trailer but told my son his wife would mail the check. After a week of not getting a check I called again. She said she was working on the payroll and would put my refund in with payroll. After another week no money. I called again and she said it must have been the holiday that held it up. After another couple days I called again now they have blocked my number, so I called from my work phone and surprised her. She said she would call the bank and find out. I never heard back from her and my number is still blocked today. I contacted a lawyer and they made a call to Willette’s and I received a check for $2500. They claimed it’s a restocking fee. Basically they stole $500 from me there was no material to restock as it was material they had (was told by **** at time of estimate). I did finally get a call from **** the owner and after explaining to him the whole story he said he would get me my additional $500. This was before Christmas and I still don’t have my money. These people should be flagged as very unreliable and thief’s!

  Business response

  02/21/2023

  Unfortunately, the tentative start date of August was scheduled (tentatively) contingent upon the weather and completing each roof scheduled, in the order they were booked. I can not speak as to what was discussed with other staff- but when a deposit is made, the shingles of the color desired are ordered for the job- and saved at our warehouse until needed. Multiple calls, from multiple numbers over the course of the delay occurred daily to the point the homeowner was offered her money back to find someone else who would be able to complete it sooner. The homeowner refused, stating the roof was in such terrible condition that it just needed to be done. Due to an extremely wet season, we did get pushed further back than expected- when the crew was expecting to finish the last previously scheduled roof, the homeowner was contacted with the expected date to finish the job on that Friday, November 4th. While the date of completion changed, the homeowner was made aware that we were delayed and hoping to get the job finished over the weekend before heading to her roof next. Due to weather conditions, no work was able to be completed over the weekend- and again the crew was delayed and the homeowner was made aware that we unfortunately would not be able to make it there on Monday and the homeowner would not accept this as a response- demanding that the crew start at her house the next day. As there was no way to confirm when the crew would be able to finish the previous job, the homeowner agreed that the trailer to start was brought to her home as insurance that she would indeed be the next roof. Tuesday morning, as agreed, the trailer was brought out with the materials needed to start- with the hopes of the job wrapping up that day and starting the next day at the next location. -**** * *** ******* ** ********* ******* *** **** ******** *** *** **** ****** ** **** *** ********* ** **** ** ****** ** ****** ** ******* **** ********* **** *** ******* ***** *** *** ** ***** ** ******* ** ******* ******* **** ******** When the staff answered the phone, she was irate that the crew did not start at 9 am on November 9th and demanded everything be taken off her property immediately, and no one was to set foot on her property. Being unconscious and heavily sedated- I was unable to comply with her demands at the time and the homeowner was told that we would discuss the refund at a later date- but the company we purchase our supplies from does charge a 15% restocking fee for all materials ordered. The homeowner was furious that the trailer had not been removed by Friday November 11th- and there was an employee sent to retrieve the trailer and materials. After my own recovery, the check was processed.  Thank you! Jessica Willett

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