ComplaintsforFrank General Contractor

• Initial Complaint

  09/11/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  July 11, 2022 - I hired Frank General Contractor (#FRANKGC815PH) *********************************** to repair a leak from my roof running down the wall into a glass block window (5' x2'). It was a pop out section of my roof that had a row of skywalls. The actual roof section that was to be repaired was approximately 10 sq ft., paint two ceilings areas (kitchen and dining), install a new window, repair and replace all rot (reframe roofing area) and some minor repairs on other areas of the roof.--The project took approximately two weeks. While they were repairing the interior and exterior area was covered by plastic so nothing was exposed for us to evaluate rot or any other issues.In mid - March 2023 I contacted Frank (see texts) because there was 5" of standing water on the roof he repaired. Frank came to the house and went on top of the roof and proceeded to tell me my downspout was blocked causing the standing water. I told him this was not possible as the downspouts had just been cleaned. He told me I was incorrect and no additional repair was done.--In mid-July 2022 we started a new project residing our home. This is when we uncovered the gross negligence of Frank's work. Per the photos you will see a new 2x4 beam was placed on top of rotted wood which was considered the "reframing" of the roof section. The new window that had been replaced was also place around rotted wood on all sides of the window which spanned the entire wall. Again, Frank only placed a one 2x4 against rotted wood to frame out the window. --I contacted Frank (see texts) and requested a refund for his poor workmanship and unethical manner/behavior. --Frank stated he would be open to refunding us $12,500 (per the text). I spoke with him on Friday, Sept 8, 2023 and told him $17,500 was our final number. He agreed on the phone and I asked him to follow up with a text confirming the dates of payment. --He did not confirm and will not return our calls. And no refund was made.

  

  Business response

  09/22/2023

  Response to Complaint ID: #********  (Please see attachments, they will provide more details and pictures.)

  The 2X4 that she is claiming I installed was in fact already there, placed by someone else, it was there prior to me starting the job. The rot issues would not have been discovered from the installation of the window since the window was already framed, and the stucco siding did not have to be opened.  From the outside, the window frame was covered by plywood from a previous contractor.  The customer is claiming that I reframed the roof, this was not in the agreement or any other communication with the customer.  Per the customers pictures, I am curious to understand what a professional inspector would say about how long the rot and other issues have been going on behind the siding, my guess is this has been going on much longer than July 2022.  

  The *** replacement for the roof was installed correctly.  Replacing the *** on the roof does not require roof replacement or reframing.  New plywood and foam insulation were installed under the new ***.  Since I had no reason to open the exterior stucco siding, I was not negligent.  The signed agreement did not include repair and replacement of all rot of the roofing area or to open the exterior stucco siding.  The rot and other potential issues were behind the siding.  This is more than the scope of work that was to be done by me. 

  The downspouts were working correctly when they were installed in July 2022.  The customer contacted me in March 2023 to let me know that there was standing water.  Fall and Winter months had passed, the customer lives in an area where there are a lot of large native trees where debris can easily fill up the roof areas.  I cleaned the areas where there was standing water, including unclogging the scupper and downspouts.  The customer has a flat roof which can have a lot of over-exposure to weather elements including wind damage and wind-driven debris. Since debris can cause the scupper and downspout to be clogged, debris needs to be removed by pick up, leaf-blowing or pressure washing.  Flat roofs require a lot of maintenance and do not last forever. 

  In April 2023, the customer contacted me to clean the metal roof.  The entire metal roof and *** were cleaned including scupper and downspouts. Between March and April 2023, there was already buildup of debris in a brief period of time. 

  Initially, I was open to refunding the customer $12,500.  The customer demanded $17,500 by September 12th.  Instead of waiting until September 12th,on September 11, 2023, she began slandering me on multiple social media sites including ***************** Yelp and Facebook. Due to her actions and the significant damage that she has caused to my business, I decided not to refund the customer. She has slandered and threatened me by text.  I did work with the customer to clean the roof including unclogging the downspouts, scupper, and removing the debris in March and April 2023.  The claims from the customer about me being unethical and negligent are hurtful since I pride myself in my work.  I have been in this business for over 30 years and have worked with my customers to make sure they are happy with my work.  This would have been a much larger job, if the exterior stucco siding was opened and the rot and other issues were discovered.  This project was completed in July 2022.
  
  

  
  

  Customer response

  09/23/2023

   
  Complaint: 20588705
  
  I am rejecting this response because

  I did not have any previous reframing of my roof prior to  hiring Franks General Contractor.  I had hired him to fix a leak coming from my roof down a side wall into a glass block window frame.  I hired Frank because as a professional  it is his job to assess the issue and provide guidance on the repair - correctly.  Where his reply does not make any sense is  in order for him to remove the previous roof it required him to rip out the plywood which was completely rotten.  He placed the 2x4 beam because he did not have a choice as the entire roof and the majority of the wall had  rot and he needed to stabilize the area so he could place new plywood. At no point in his response does he focus on finding new rot or discussing the extensive rot around the roof or window. He is only focused on what he was paid to do.   I also have proof from a previous GC NWPMC who removed the glass blocks (prior to hiring Frank) told me they could not install the window I had purchased because their was rot around the entire frame  they guided me to hire another GC who had experience with this type of situation (as NWPMC did not) .  Using the window installation as a direct example, I hired Frank for his expertise  as I shared with him what the previous GC had told me.   As a licensed and bonded GC Frank should have told me there was extensive rot and he did not.  Instead he only used a few 2x4 to frame the window so he could stabilize it .  The issue here is he is a licensed and bonded Contractor that did not tell the truth or repair the area correctly. As the customer, I should NOT have to tell him to remove the rot.  He is the supposed professional who should have said there is extensive rot and this is what we needs to done .
  

  We communicated with Frank for over four weeks to come to an equitable agreemenT.  The entire area in which he negligently repaired needs to be completely redone with permits (Frank also did not get a permit for the work he did on my roof) .  When I asked for reimbursement (see texts in previous email)  he told he could pay me in payments.  I told him no as he kept on stating I will pay you next week. I also did NOT make payments when he wanted to get paid. In addition, per my text, I told him to send a text with a agreed refund which was $17,500. He never sent it.  Having a binding agreement requires  it to be in writing and he would not agree.  I gave him numerous chances to pay us back and he did not.

  Lastly, it is my right to post reviews warning others in my area of his negligent work and dishonest manner.  I shared the photos of his work as I have proof.   Frank General Contractor is upset because he was caught.  He never expected I would re-side my house and uncover his gross negligence.  The only way for us to come to agreement is for him to refund me $17,500.  If he refunds me we can both move forward.

   

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

  Customer response

  10/03/2023

  Hello ****-
  
  Please find below an email sent to Frank confirming the work he would be doing on my home last year.  Thank you.  Please confirm receipt. 

  Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

   

  Begin forwarded message:
  
  On Monday, July 11, 2022, 5:26 PM, *************************** <***********************> wrote:

  Hi Frank-

   

  Thanks again for your time the other day.

   

  I know we discussed my house the other day and wanted to confirm the scope of work and make sure we are in agreement:

   

  • Living room wall - protect area with plastic, remove bad dry wall and insulation, reframe areas with dry rot or damaged wood, re-sheet rock, paint to completion.
  • Skylight / roof wall area- remove bad dry wall and insulation, reframe areas with dry rot or damaged wood, re-roof skylight area with pvo/tpo, re-sheetrock, paint to completion.
  • Repair current pvc areas with damage, place  boots over vents/pipes, appropriately seal all downspout areas so water does not revert back into walls.
  • Remove all downspouts and remove any blockage within (if any) and reinstall. 
  • Paint kitchen and dining room ceiling.

   

  I will receive a 10 year warranty on work done including roof with PVC (excluding metal roof).  

   

  Please confirm receipt of this email and agreement. 

   

  Kind Regards,

   

   

  ***************************

  ***********************

  ************

   

   

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