In July I contracted with Himco Security Products to manufacture and install a wrought iron fence to enclose my front yard. The cost was $12,000 and I paid $4,000 down. I was convinced by the project manager that he need more than a 10% deposit because the company had to buy the raw iron to make the fence -a bunch of B.S. The California State Board of Licensing states 10% or $1,000 deposit whichever is less is required and that is all.
That was the second red flag; the first was that Michael Jessen, the project manager, couldn't remember anything and was always screwing up the order. I had to let him know that powder coating was available through the paint supplier Himco used. Jessen didn't have a clue that he could offer it to a customer; what an imbecile!
Then, the day of the installation, September 29, two limited English speaking installers showed up to the property an hour late asking where Michael Jessen was because they didn't know where to start the fence and how to install it with the two sets of gates. I showed them where to place the first post but beyond that I didn't know anymore than they did.
I thought they had left and were going to return the next day with Jessen but two hours later they were still digging holes despite my orders to stop and that night one of my dogs fell in one of the undetected holes and died. I told Jeffrey Marks, to give me ten days to decide what to do and to not to have his guys touch the fence until I allow it. He filed a mechanic's lien and sued me for breach of contract which I didn't breach.
I made the mistake of counter suing him for negligence; I had no idea his insurance company would back him up and mine wouldn't because he sued for breach of contract. I got stuck paying $45,000 out of my pocket for fifteen months for lawyer fees, costs, expert fees, etc.
I couldn't afford to continue to trial so I had to accept a crappy offer of $6,000 and Marks didn't have to finish the fence. So, not only did I lose my beloved dog, but $33,000 (I was able to get the $12,000 back that I had to post a bond around the lien to keep it off the title to my property), and now my credit is shot, I had to sell my house to be able get back on track and the new owner is stuck with the fence situation and I am no longer a homeowner. I had that house for 20 years.
I am so upset. I was sued maliciously for no good cause of action; my attorneys kept shooting down his attorneys defenses, but they weren't good enough to go to trial and I wasn't going to risk losing that and having to pay that deadbeat Jeffrey Marks' legal expenses as well as my own. Marks has 50 lawsuits both personal and business in the past ten years;had I known that I wouldn't have hired his company. He is also on his third divorce at 46-years-old. What does that say about his personality... He's short, angry, hot head who inherited his dad's business but not his dad's passion for good customer service and good will.
The guy is a jerk and deserves to lose his license. He advertises profusely in the Los Angeles weekly throw aways and the L.A. Times and is now offering six months with no payments; hopefully, his bad reputation will catch on or Michael Jessen will screw up even more on some of the jobs than he did on mine.
BEWARE OF HIMCO NATIONAL, INC aka Himco Security Products.
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