Dream catcher construction is night mare
we contracted fernando lleras, jr from dreamcatcher construction & contracting, llc
fernando lleras jr, president
n.Y.S. Lic. # 1104219, nassau lic. # H0429980000
99-40 63RD ROAD, SUITE 1U, REGO PARK, NY 11374
for the construction and remodeling of our home on July 13. One week into job it was stopped by the DEP.
Fernando decided to remove asbestos shingles with his crew because it would be cheaper than hiring professionals. Causing us to pay over $10,000.in fines. He refused to take any responsibility for this problem and we had to hire an Asbestos Abatement Company and have the asbestos removed ourselves before we could continue with the work. Fernando said that he couldn't afford to pay for the asbestos. After we got past that, we have come to realize that much of the work he's done is defective and not to plan or code.
He built 2 terraces over our bedrooms. These terraces have been leaking since Oct. Still to this date (March 19th) the leaking is causing mold to form on the ceilings of the 2 bedrooms and also on the window sills on the lst and 2nd floors. (Terraces are on the 3rd floor).
Wrap around porch pavers are caving in on one side of the house and in the front of the house they were installed so that the rain water runs back into house and down into garage and basement below. Wire lath where stone is to go was installed in a manner that it would cause stone to fall off. Beams were installed improperly now causing the floors to sag.
No licensed electricians or plumbers on were ever on the job site doing work. Junction boxes for electric were ready to be buried in the walls and are not to code and a fire hazard. Drainage piping on the first floor was being installed in a very direct way that would require numerous sofits to hide piping which I specifically stated I did not want from before the job even started.
Fernando Lleras wanted to install central air conditioner himself and he said he would not give the architect shop drawings. These would be needed to file for central air conditioner, because he doesn't want to spend the money. He put a fence in around the property and the gates at rear of property are cracked. They do not open and close properly. They rub on pavers. The locks on the fence were put in backwards and the grading for rear yard was not done as specified on contract. This causes yard and fence to not be level and at one portion the fence is actually below the dirt of the yard.
Inside the house pressure treated posts have been used, pressure treated wood is toxic and should never be used in a closed area. Almost everything he's done is either defective, shortchanged and not to standard or as specified on the plans. According to our contact the project should have been completed on Jan 30. From Nov 14 he decided to not show up. Since than he hardly has done any work he's abondoned the job and milked us for another 38,000.00 promising to do work.
I feel that Fernando Lleras, Jr of Dream Catcher Construction is guilty of breech of contract, fraud, abandonment, and causing myself and my husband much stress and illness due to his dishonesty.
We gave him approximately $200,000.00. All we wanted in return was him to be honest and build our house as per the contract that he signed with us. We've been more than patient and honest giving him money in good faith so he would continue to do the work.instead he just lied & stalled, it is the same as stealing our money. He should not be allowed to operate as a licensed contractor.
We spent 9 months interviewing contractors for this project The overall cost of the construction contract alone was $400,000.
Fernando Lleras of Dream Catcher Construction was not the cheapest quote. We met with him on at least 6 to 8 evenings to discuss the work involved to review the plans and so that we could be comfortable in knowing that he was going to be honest and do quality workmanship. He always assured us that he had high quality sub contractors who were not only experts in their related fields but who also cared about doing quality work.
Nothing could have been further from the truth. I believe that the references that we went to see were part of this whole scheme. He has out right lied to us and for all practical purposes stole our money. This house was a lifelong dream. We have worked hard for years to save enough money to finally have it built and now it has been taken away from us.
0 comments