Elite Construction

Here we go again. Just note I offered to dig in to the flashing with the customer up on the roof with me to really find out what the problem is/was but he told me not to worry about it. Customer: First off, Mr. [redacted] is making either false statements, or is just confused as to the chain of events. I never saw a 'small leak before last winter'. Elite: I'm only going off of what I remember you and your brother telling me the three or four times I talked to you and him. So tell me then, was all this damage done before winter during or after winter? Then tell me when did you call your Insurance company to make the claim. And please remind me what that story was about that first big snow of the year and not having four wheel drive to get out there. And why you told me you did not call anyone after there was too much snow on the roof to make a repair "because the damage was all ready do everything". Elite: But either way you do agree that the roof lasted over two years without a single leak. That means things were correct then and something happened in between the time you and the heating guy that did the chimney sleeve went up there. And as I said the extra layer of tar you put up there at the bottom of the counter flashing which could have held or still be holding water back because it cannot escape and drain as it should be. Also I'm glad you now agree (because your brother was up there with me spraying the hose) that after running the hose all around the chimney we could not get the roof or the counter flashing to leak. (And yes I understand you were saying the first crack above the counter flashing is one of the cracks that is leaking) there was no way to only spray that crack so we had to spray the entire first brick and soak that area. I also sprayed the hose directly into the counter flashing backwards to mimic a tornado for your brother. Customer : secondly, I did not go up to patch the chimney because it was leaking as Mr. [redacted] states, Elite: Ok. The only thing that bothers me about that statement is the fact that you put tar all around the chimneys step flashing at the roofline and closed up the bottom of the copper counter flashing. And now your saying you did that before the roof started leaking? Why would you mess with something that was not leaking by doing that? If some one tared the back air vents on their TV and it over heated would you still warranty the TV? So you know, your not supposed to seal a weap hole. I understand you have experience installing TVs antennas but step and counter flashing is a different animal and that is not needed there and can cause a water back up if the brick is porous.Customer: and thirdly, I did not see the roof leaking and then let it go all winter. Re-vist my original complaint for the correct chain of events. Elite: I did re-look at the emails and you are correct, but I was remembering the conversations I had mainly with your brother. I also want to make sure everyone reading this knows you guys closed the door to the place after the first snow or so and did not check on the place until all the snow was melted. So no one was there all winter. Or if they were they made no effort to stop the water that was coming in or call someone. So all this damage either happened from one storm or from an ice dam. If not why has still nothing been done to stop the water from coming in. Again I'm only here to help. If it is my fault then I am the one to blame, but when I'm not allowed by you to pull it apart then I (and maybe even you) will never truly know if it was step flashing, counter, the cracks in the chimney or the failing mortar and or porous brick. Customer : I give credit for Mr. [redacted] making an attempt to find the leak. He came up on a Sunday and worked there for no charges while my Brother was there. He came back with his findings that the problem was not his doing and told me the leak is above the first course of bricks on the chimney. Elite: now you are putting words in my mouth. I know you do remember me telling you I cannot confirm or deny the exact problem without pulling it apart to look at it. I will agree that I told you that after running a hose up there for over an hour I am 95% sure it is not our ice and water, step flashing, counter flashing or shingles that is leaking. customer: Being in the service business, I understand how a company can get blamed for something unrelated to their work simply because 'they were the last one there'. He later volunteered to silicone the chimney as a temporary fix,Elite: I don't believe that siliconing the chimney (as should be done every five years) would be a temporary fix. If you would allow me to do that that it would prove that it was the chimney being porous and not the counter or step flashing. That is the reason I would like to seal the chimney and then put a sprinkler system on the roof for two days to see if any water comes in. If at that point no water comes in then this would not have to be my first bad review in over 10 years and 600 roof done. That is why I am answering all these questions the best I can to keep my credibility. The last thing I want is someone upset with my work or not allowing me to fix a problem I caused.Customer: and asked me if there was anything he could do, but I declined telling him it's insured and I was in the final stages of contracting another firm for the restoration. Elite: Yep. That was really nice of you. You basically said to me, some one who's trying to do everything he can for you, no thank you [redacted] an insurance adjuster and two contractors that did not even lift one shingle or piece of counter flashing or run a hose to see where the water would come in said there's a problem under there and it's the roofers fault. Customer: I think it comes down to believably and trust. My Brother, who was also there during Mr. [redacted] test,  claims the water started leaking right at the top of the chimney flashing where it is cemented into the brick, not after the first course of brick.Elite: I agree with that. That is also what I was saying to you that day. So you are the one that misunderstood me. That is also a spot that should be sealed. Remember for two years not one leak after we did the job. And the counter it self is not leaking, it is above the counter you just wrote. The thing you were calling a crack is where that copper was built into the chimney that is now porous. Reread your comment above. You just stated from the counter down is fine. From the counter above is not fine. You just said it is leaking above the counter. So I'm off the hook then. We were contracted for the roof not the chimney. If your brother is saying it is leaking above the counter then thank you for agreeing with me and letting me off the hook. That is saying it is the mortar, that and anything above it is the chimney leaking. Not the roof or step or counter. Customer : I believe if the flashing was replaced, the problem would have been averted, but that is strictly my opinion, right or wrong.Elite: do you understand if we took the good copper and ripped it out from the chimney it was built right into we would then have to grind more mortar out to simply push new lead into the chimney and then make a repair like you did to seal that New lead in. If the chimney was going to get a full rebuild or repoint then I would say yes at that point to go ahead and change the counter. I'm happy and sleep well at night knowing the 600 other roofs we did have no problems. Customer: I don't believe the few small cracks in the mortar caused the large volume of water needed to cause the extensive interior damage. Elite: first off I am glad you acknowledge you have cracks in the mortar on the chimney.   One other thing that is funny about that is I also mentioned ice damning could have caused all these problems. When I went with the hose for the first 30 minutes I was talking with your brother there he assured me I was not going to be able to get any water to come into the house with the hose. He told me it needs to rain for at least two or three hours straight heavy to show any water inside. (that would also point me to a porous chimney) He also said there has not been any leaks since winter that he knows of.Customer: I may know more in a month when the restoration takes place, however, at this time, it's an educated guess, not a fact. Mr. [redacted] claims the flashing was not replaced because it was good and it's not the problem. I'm not a roofer, so I don't really know, but I personally do not feel comfortable contracting [redacted] for any repairs.Elite: They may find out why or why not the water came in. But I'm sure they will re-point or rebuild the chimney because it is definitely time for that. Customer : I'm not trying to disparage Elite's reputation...at this point,Elite: no? With a nasty review saying I didn't get out there fast enough after you called me 4 months after you found the leak. Then blame me for the leak and damage before the problem area has even been opened up. customer: I really don't know who to believe. I am hopeful that after all the repairs are completed over the summer, that the problem is solved. Arrive at your own decision from the complaint.  Buyer beware. Elite: Yes. Please, buyer beware of the troubles I went through to try and satisfy this customer. And the time I took to try and get to the bottom of his problem for him. Please be aware that I always do everything I can to do the job right and stand behind my work.

The reason there  are no gutters is because her insurance company refused to pay additional costs to Elite Construction as the General Contractor. We had invoiced her insurance company prior for agreements. We have also made multiple attempts to come to an agreement on the multi-faceted trades...

on her property.Once we get to a fair market pricing agreement through [redacted] system standards as a licensed GC with her insurance carrier.  Elite will then continue to complete the work. We have been  trying to communicate with her insurance carrier, by sending [redacted] pricing and estimates, our licenses and permit cost. An agreement with the carrier on fair pricing must be in place in order to continue the work.[redacted]
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Repairs have been made and compensation was paid to Mr. [redacted]. for the $592. of overages . Thus Elite sticking to exactly what was told no out of pocket expense besides his deductible.
As for the $700 to his car. There is a detective on this case. The law will decide the outcome here not accusations. As Per the detective the sealant does not match the sealant used on the home. The nail was actually a screw as per the detective. There is also numerous roofing projects going on in and around this neighborhood due to the storm damage. I believe it is obvious at this point My company and my sub contractors have done everything into taking accountability directly for any of our actions deemed not correct or of quality. Gutters correct, roofing items corrected with a passing inspection, refunds given from both overages and damaged items. Any further disagreements will be handled just as the original ones have been. swiftly and professionally.
If the detective was to find through evidence that this was of my contractors doings I will fix that. We want hard evidence and proof not accusations.
We are an A rated company and seek to keep this way.

Review: I contracted [redacted] in October 2012 to replace a roof on my Dad's lake house in [redacted]. The contract stated 'Flashing' was to be replaced along with the asphalt shingled roof...also the contract states 25 year labor warranty. This past winter the house suffered major water damage totaling approximately $27,000 from leaks around the main room's center chimney. The wood ceiling, wall, and carpet are all destroyed. After calling my insurance agent in March 2015, and getting quotes from builders around May 1 2015, I was informed the problem originated from the chimney flashing and installation of shingles surrounding it. They told me that when roofs are replaced, they recommend new flashing, and this house had the old copper flashing which was not replaced. My contract stated new flashing. I then contacted [redacted] owner [redacted] on May 4, 2015 to get his side and to see if there was any warranty. He initially seemed concerned, and said he'd look at the roof on 5/4 or 5/5, and then again on 5/8, but has done nothing to this point, (5/11/15), other than send me photos of the job being done in 2012. I don't really know what his "25 year labor warranty" covers that is stated on the contract. I feel a new roof should last longer than 2+ years, and that his failure to properly prepare the chimney area and install new flashing on the chimney led to the water damage of the home.Desired Settlement: Elite Roofing needs to correct the leaking roof around the chimney by putting ice and water around the chimney, re-shingling the area and re-flashing the chimney as has been recommended to me. In addition, I feel his company is responsible for all water damages to the interior of the home which includes the ceiling insulation, the cedar wood ceiling, the wall and cedar wainscot where water ran down, and the rug and pad which are ruined from water damage.

Business

Response:

hello and thank you for reading the complaint from my customer and now below is what I have to say about it all.