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Kellie of Reading, MA, writes:
On September 15, 1999 we entered
into a contract with Duval Roofing to have them replace our
existing roof. When we initially met with Ken Duval we explained
that our roof was leaking and we had to have this done ASAP.
Mr. Duval quoted us a price of $2900 to replace all roofing
and add 3 vents in the attic. Mr. Duval signed his contract
as did we accepting his quote to have Duval do the roof job,
telling us he could have the job done quickly it was "only a
one day job".
I then spoke with Kim Duval of Duval
roofing, Ken's wife. In September she had told me that they
were 4-6 weeks out and the roof would be done mid-November.
We sent a check to Duval Roofing in the amount of $870.00, a
30% deposit. The check was cashed early October by Ken Duval.
As mid November approached I contacted
Kim to find out when the roof would be done she told me December
1st. As December 1st approached I called to confirm the roof
would be done at that time but would only get Voicemail and
messages back on my voicemail stating that the job had to be
postponed another few days, or the previous job ran over, or
the previous job was not just a one day job, all promising they
would get out to our home to "get the job done for us".
These excuses continued until I explained
to Kim that the roof had to be done we were expecting a new
baby any time (December) and the roof was leaking. Kim then
got upset with me stating that she could not help if a job ran
over or weather did not cooperate, saying that if a job runs
over we are not automatically put on for the next day. Something
we could not understand, if we were scheduled for Monday and
a job ran over on Monday the job should have been done Tuesday.
When I left her a voicemail again explaining the job had to
be done, that we were told it would be no later than mid November
and it was now mid December.
She never returned my calls. I found
in my mailbox the following day a check for our deposit from
Duval Roofing stating it was best if we found another company
to do the job. After having cashed our check 2 months earlier
and holding our money for 2 months, I truly believe Duval never
had any intention of actually doing the job and there must have
been a reason for keeping our money for the lenght of time they
did so. The contract both my husband and I signed not only proteted
Duval roofing but it also protected us when Ken Duval signed
it.
What Duval Roofing did was wrong
and should not happen again to another consumer. We believed
they were going to do the job and now we are unable to get a
roofing company to do the job for us until spring and for double
what Duval had quoted us. After waiting numerous months we are
now stuck with having to pay over $5500.00 to have the job done,
not to mention any inside damage we have due to the leaking
roof. I tried to work this out with Kim Duval but she only returned
my call to say and I quote "if you have to sue us go ahead."
What kind of company has so little
regard for their customers? This should not happen to another
consumer and I have made it my priority to see that it does
not. I would like this complaint filed against Duval Roofing,
any future customers should know how we were treated and left
high and (wet) not dry!! The reason there was a delay in sending
this is because we had a new baby and I had to focus on recovering
and our newborn before I could let this once again upset me.
We're not sure what you would
sue them for. Chances are the contract provides for reasonable
delays beyond Duval's control, which would include bad weather,
supply problems, etc. Construction is an uncertain business,
especially in New England, where we've been told the weather
is sometimes on the inclement side.
The fact that Duval voluntarily
returned the deposit speaks well for them, in our opinion.
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