ComplaintsforSilvestri Construction, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  07/31/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 2/22/22, I signed a Construction Contract with Silvestri Construction, LLC. In the contract, Silvestri committed to remodel my master bathroom and to build new exterior steps from my back door to my patio. Silvestri Construction began work on or about September 6, 2022. They had completed work before January 20, 2023, the date of the final check I wrote. As per the Contract, I promptly paid the invoices as they were given to me, totaling $36,745.82. The post on the steps seems to shift depending on the weather. Some days, it leans enough that it blocked my storm door enough that I was unable to open the door to exit. On June 29, 2023, I texted **** Silvestri of Silvestri Construction to inform him of the issue with the steps. **** said that the wood may have moved from drying out, but he refused to fix the steps without additional cost. While I was researching if it was his responsibility to come fix the steps, I found out that Silvestri Construction should have filed for permits with The City of Wooster prior to commencing any work on my house, but they did not. I asked **** Silvestri to pull permits retroactively, but he has refused. I have emailed him, asking him to act in accordance with the Contract we had signed. I also asked him for a copy of this general liability insurance policy and relevant contractor licenses for the work performed. He hasn't replied.

  Business response

  08/14/2023

  Despite the homeowner’s failure to comply with the contract to provide ***ely notice of any issues (more than six months after the completion of construction), the complaint made was remedied without additional charge, as evidenced in the attached picture. The work performed did not require a contractor’s license and, thus, none was provided. In addition, there was never any agreement that contractor would obtain permits. In fact, homeowner did not request that contractor obtain permits until nearly six months after the completion of construction. It was and remains homeowner's responsibility to obtain any necessary permits. Homeowner can obtain permits from the City at any ***e.

  Customer response

  08/15/2023

   I am rejecting this response because:
  Silvestri adjusted the back steps so that I can currently open my back door again. Aesthetically, the work is still lacking. The posts are not plumb and the railing isn't flush against the posts. Structurally, I don't know how long Silvestri's "fix" will last or what other structural issues are present that I am unaware of.

  The contract specified that Silvestri would operate in a ***ely, good and workmanlike manner. It specified that we would cooperate with each other on the basis of trust and good faith. Although permits are ul***ately the homeowner's legal responsibility, workmanlike manner includes following the laws and regulations. The City of Wooster requires that contractors register with them before commencing a remodeling job of this size. It requires a licensed plumber when working on plumbing matters. It requires that a permit is pulled for plumbing jobs of this size. Operating in a workmanlike manner would include using a licensed contractor when required, following city regulations, and ensuring that a permit is filed when required. Silvestri didn’t do any of these.

  It is inaccurate that no license was required for the work Silvestri performed. *** *****, CBO for Wooster, stated that plumbing and/or electrical work required licenses. Silvestri’s work included both plumbing and electrical. It is a blatant misrepresentation when he stated that the scope of his work didn’t require a license.

  Silvestri’s response doesn’t address my complaints nor my desired outcome. Instead, it further violates the premise of trust and good faith.

  
  

  Business response

  08/21/2023

  Contractor was in no way required to return to the property more than six months after the completion of work to respond to Homeowner’s complaint. In good faith, Contractor responded to Homeowner’s complaint that the railing shifted over time. Homeowner states in her complaint that “[a]esthetically, the work is still lacking.” Yet, as evidenced by the attachment, the Homeowner texted Contractor that they looked great.

  
  Homeowner recognizes in her response that obtaining any permits was her responsibility. Accordingly, any complaint that Contractor did not obtain a permit is moot.

  
  No license was required for the work performed by Contractor. While the City does require licensed contractors for certain plumbing and electrical work, the scope of the work performed for Homeowner did not require a license. Contractor is certainly aware of what work requires a license. Any work that required a license was completed by Homeowner (or some other contractor) prior to Contractor beginning work on the job. Homeowner simply fails to understand what work requires a license. Furthermore, Homeowner has not set forth any complaints regarding the work completed in the bathroom—only that she mistakenly believes it required a license.

  Customer response

  08/28/2023

  I'm unclear as to why it said that I had 7 days to respond, but then it said that this had been closed. 

  **** is lying about the scope of this project. As you can see from one of his invoices, "rough in plumbing" was included in their construction of my master bathroom. Plumbing requires a license in Ohio. I had no idea that this extensive remodel was not being completed according to local building standards. 

  This was not answered with a good faith effort by the company.

   

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