During the month of January I began searching for reliable contractors in the Burlington County, NJ area to replace the roof, siding, and windows on my historical home. My search included the yellow pages, referral agencies, and internet sites. Through various sources, I was provided the name of a local contractor who was recommended for the work I needed done. The contractor was Grater Home Remodeling, which is owned and operated by Frank Grater. Upon the receipt of the recommedation from the referral internet agency, I contacted Mr. Grater regarding my remodeling needs, and set up an appointment for a home estimate. Mr. Grater was very friendly and professional, and he paid a great deal of attention to my questions and concerns. Upon receipt of the estimate, I decided to hire Mr. Grator (Grater Home Remodeling) to do the job. Prior to doing so, I checked with the Better Business Bureau, and Consumer Affairs with regards to complaints, and came up empty handed. I also used several search engines, which returned no useful information which would conflict with my decision.
On April 5, I met with Mr. Grater and signed three contracts for the work I needed done. The first contract was for the removal and replacement of the roof on my house and garage. The second contract was for the removal and replacement of siding and windows on my house and garage. The third contract was for concrete work, and for changes to the existing roofline of the house. The only changes that were made during the review of the contracts, was the addition of the windows which Mr. Grater mistakenly ommitted during the development of the contract. All else was pretty much cut and dry. The contracts stated the work would commence on April 29, and would finish May 29. The contract required deposits for the roof in the amount of $3000.00, and the siding in the amount of $6000.00. All deposits were paid by April 16 as agreed.
On or about April 27, I was notified by Mr. Grater via phone, that the work would not begin until May 2. I inquired about the permits during the conversation, and was advised that everything required would be handled prior to the May 2 start date. I also asked about a drawing that was required by the Historical Society in relation to the roofline changes, and was told it would be handled.
On May 2, the problems began. Grater Home Remodel did not show up, and didn't bother calling to advise that the work would not commence as agreed. I contacted Mr. Grater, only to reach his voice mail. I left a message, and asked Mr. Grater to contact me, which he did a couple of days later. When I spoke to Mr. Grater, he sincerely apologized for the delay, and advised that he was running behind schedule on a job, and needed a couple of days to catch up. At this point I was not alarmed, and Mr. Grater assured me he would finish by the May 29 deadline as agreed. The new start date was to be May 8.
On May 8 Grater Home Remodel once again failed to make an appearance. At this point I became alarmed. The guy has $9000.00 in deposits, and hasn't put forth any efforts with regards to starting the job. So I call Mr. Grater again, and again got his voice mail. I ask him to call me at a particular number being that I travel extensively on business. Mr. Grater did return my call, but at another number ("The phone tag practice works in his favor every time").
On May 10 I was notified at 7:45 am that the sub-contractors would begin work on the roof by 8:00 am. I was on my way to work when I received the message, so I had to turn around and head back home. Since I was not notified prior to the date, I had not prepared for the mess that typically comes about when removing a roof. When I arrived, approximately 12 immigrants were at my home, and had begun setting up for the job. I asked them for the permits, and they indicated that Mr. Grater would be arriving with them shortly. I asked them to halt work until Mr. Grater arrived, and they reluctantly did so. About 15 minutes later, I received a phone call from Mr. Grater who advised that he was on his way to the township to obtain the permit ("he only had 3-4 weeks to do so prior to beginning"). I asked him to make them stop the work until he obtained the permits, and he seemed surprised. He asked why, and I advised him of the hefty fines imposed by the township should the permit not be hanging in the window during construction. He asked if they could do the garage at least in the mean time, and I said "no". I immediately contacted the township after I got off of the phone with Mr. Grater, only to be advised that he had not applied for the permits. The day progressed, and I continued playing phone tag with Mr. Grater. The sub-contractors hung out on my front lawn until approximately noon prior to leaving. After the sub-contractors left the property, I immediately went to the township bldg. I spoke to the administrative assistant who handles the permits, and asked questions relating to the process. I also asked the assistant for a copy of the contractor's license, and was advised that she would not be able to faciliate the request per policy. However, the assistant was kind enough to point me to the respective agency that could accomodate the request (Consumer Affairs). Upon returning to my home, I contacted Consumer Affairs to obtain a copy of the license. I provided the agency agent with the information that I had, and the agency was not able to find a valid license for the contractor. Hmm... Dumbfounded by the event, I went to the Consumer Affairs website, and spent more than an hour trying to find the contractor information with no avial. I immediately contacted the township regarding the license, and informed them of my concerns.
Days go by, and I began exchanging unfriendly words with Mr. Grater. My frustration was met with kindness, and more empty promises. The guy is good, and has definately played this game before!
On May 16 the permit was obtained, and the sub-contractors began removing and replacing the roof on the house and garage. The roof was completely removed and replaced on the house and garage on the same day. Exposure (removal of siding, facial materials) however was required on various parts of the house which caused me concerns. The sub-contractors did a fantastic job on the roof!
On May 18 Mr. Grater contacted me with regards to final payment for the roof. I declined making the final payment because the final inspection certificates had not been obtained through the township as required per our contract. Mr. Grater agreed to contact the township and have the work inspected. Needless to say, the work did not pass inspection, because it was not completed (i.E. The roofline modifications, drip edges, facial materials.). I immediately contacted Mr. Grater reqarding the failed inspection, and never received a response, nor (to be fair) a demand for final payment.
From May 19 thru May 29 I continued receiving empty promises from Grater Home Remodeling. Exchanges of frustrated words continued to be passed, along with concerns regarding deadline. More empty promises...
On June 9, I was advised by Mr. Grater that he would begin laying out the forms for the concrete work. The date for work to begin was June 12. Surprise... Didn't happen. Once again, I called Mr. Grater, and left a few unpleasant choice words on his voicemail. The guy has a cell phone, but never answers it! Mention money, and he will call you back instantly!
On June 13, I met with my attorney to discuss the matter. I advised my attorney that I didn't want to sue, but I needed options. More to come! Also, Mr. Grater did make an appearance to begin the work on the concrete. However he could not do the work because he needed a jack hammer.
On June 14 Mr. Grater arrived and began the work of replacing concrete steps, and encorporating an apron on the existing concrete driveway.
On or about June 16, Mr. Grater returned and removed the forms from the stated work. The work was great, but the mess they left behind was not appreciated. Not to mention, they intentionally hauled a wheelbarrow of left over wet concrete to the back of my property and poured it at the back of one of my gardens. Who knows!!!
On June 21, Mr. Grater started the work on modifications to the roof on the front sun porch. The change required the removal of the entire roofing structure, and the replacement of the roof with a A-frame style roof. "Did I mention the requirement of the drawing be submitted to the Historical Society prior to the beginning the change"? Didn't happen as promised... More to come.
Anyway, by the time I got home, the modifications were made as somewhat agreed, and the roof has roofing paper on it. It appeared as though Mr. Grater left in a hurry, because he didn't bother cleaning up much of the mess. Not to worry though. Since this was my front lawn, and I am sure the neighbors are tired of all of the mess I cleaned it up. And I don't want to forget to mention that now I am missing more pieces of siding and other materials as a result of the work.
Today is 6/27 and Mr. Grater has not phoned to indicate when he will resume work, nor has he returned to clean up his mess ("that I have already cleaned up").
Work remaining: Siding, Windows, Metal wrapping, Front roof, Rear roofing overhang, township violations.
Deadline: May 29
I will update as changes occur.
*The main purpose of my story is informative only, and is my opinion. I want to warn other consumers about this "Artist", so they do not fall in the same trap. I intend on launching a complaint with Consumer Affairs, as well as the Better Business Bureau.in addition, I will be filing suit in the event my attorney is unable to provide results. If any one who reads this has any information on Mr. Grater's business practice, I would appreciate a reply.
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