On October 5, I contacted Steven Langdoc of Total Home Improvement to provide a price to install gutters with gutter guards and storm windows on my recently built home.
Mr. Langdoc called me back with a price for the gutters with gutter guards a few days after he came out to take measurements, he quoted me $600.00 and said he would be out in a week to install them and would provide me with a price for the storm window when he came out to install the gutters.
I requested a written quote from Mr. Langdoc which he was reluctant to provide. After much instaistance on my part, Mr. Langdoc agreed to bring out a written proposal with him on the day of the gutter installation. The evening before the installation Mr. Langdoc called and told me that the gutter guards were not included in his quotation. When I asked why they were not included he stated he didn't have time to get a price for them. As it was getting late in the year and I wanted the gutters in place before the winter, I agreed to an additional $400.00 charge to his proposal.
On October 21, Mr. Langdoc came out and installed the gutters and gutter guards. He also provided me with a price for the storm windows for which I gave him a down payment.
Seven days after the gutters were installed, it rained and I noted that the gutters were leaking between the back of the gutter and the fascia at each of the gutters that were installed. I contacted Mr. Langdoc on October 28 to make him aware of the leaks. Mr. Langdoc stated that he would be out the following weekend to correct the leaks and install the storm windows.
In addition, I had bird nests in my gutters within two weeks because the gutter guards were cut too short at the ends causing the gutters to overflow when it rained.
Following is correspondence I sent to Mr. Langdoc on April 13 after 24 weeks of his broken promises to come out to make corrections to his work;
Steve Langdoc
Total Home Improvement Home Renovations & Repairs
XXXX XXXXXX.
Bradley, IL. 60915
April 13
Mr. Langdoc;
This letter is regarding the gutters that you installed on my home and the storm windows that I ordered from you as follows;
1. On October 28, seven days after you installed gutters on my home at a cost of $ 1000.00, I reported to you that the gutters where leaking between the gutter and the fascia in several areas. I also expressed my concern about the first two courses of shingles that were lifting on the front of my home that you damaged while installing the gutters. You admitted that you did not install flashing as required for this installation. You also stated that you would be out to make the necessary repairs within a week.
Since that time I have talked with you on 16 occasions, each time you have stated how bad you feel about the installation and how you want to make things right. I have also left you no less than 40 voice mail messages. To date, almost 24 weeks later, you have not corrected the problems with the gutters as a matter of fact, you have done nothing but make promises to correct the problems with the gutters. Subsequently, the water that has been leaking between the gutter and the fascia has damaged the fascia in several areas.
2. I have received estimatimates from several contractors to correct your gutter installation and repair the shingles as well as the water damage. The minimal costs are as follows;
a. $ 1,600.00 to remove gutters, install flashing, and re-install gutters.
B. $ 650.00 to replace damaged shingles.
C. $ 150.00 to pressure wash soffets
d. $ 400.00 to purchase and apply preservative.
E. $ 2,800.00 total to correct your gutter installation.
3. On October 21, I also gave you a deposit for storm windows that were to be installed in three weeks (the first week of November).
A. On November 15 (almost 5 weeks later) you called and stated that the windows were back ordered. You stated that you would be out to install them the first week of December.
B. On December 4, you called and stated that your truck was in the shop and that you would call me during the week to set up an installation time.
C. On December 18, you called and stated that you would be out on January 8, to install the storm windows and to correct the gutter problem.
D. On January 7, you called and stated that you were opening the storm window shipping container and discovered that the windows were damaged during shipping and would have to be re-ordered
e. I tried calling you the rest of the month of January and all of February, including visiting your Business Office at XXX X XXX in Kankakee. I have left you many messages and you have not returned my calls.
F. You finally called me back on March 23 and once again you promised to correct the gutter problems and that you would refund my window deposit within one week.
4. On April 6, I once again stopped by your Business Office and talked with your neighbor whom advised me that you had just left as I was parking. I flagged down a police officer and explained the problem I had been having with you. He agreed to run the license plate on your Blazer that was parked out on the front lawn. He provided me with an address at XX XXXXXXX XXXX Drive in Kankakee and also provided me with the phone number. I called the number later that evening and spoke with a woman who claimed that you were in Florida. I found this to be rather odd in that you were seen in Kankakee 3 hours earlier.
I have been more than patient with you and your excuses. I am not going to continue to play hide and seek with you. My intention is to hire a reputable contractor to correct the problems that are the result of the installation that you provided.
At this time I am requesting compensation from you in the amount of $ 3,250.00 for costs and damages. You have until April 22 to send a cashers check to the address listed above, after which time I will file a court claim against you that will include $3,250.00 plus all costs and court fees.
Xxxx xxxxxx
CC: City of Kankakee Code Enforcement
K. Schultz XXX XXXX Kankakee, IL. 60901
Mr. Langdoc chose not to reply to my letter. On May 17, I filed a motion in small claims court to recover damages and costs.in court, I agreed to allow Mr. Langdoc to come back to my home to correct the gutter problem and repay my storm window deposit.
Mr. Langdoc did install the required flashing behind the gutters and said he used a roofing adhesive to repair the roofing tiles he had damaged and tendered his check to repay my deposit.
My roof began to leak in the area that Mr. Langdoc applied the adhesive to repair the damaged roof tiles after a rain storm March 5. I called a roofing contractor and he pointed out that the adhesive Mr. Langdoc used was in fact tech screws, screwed through the roofing tiles. The roofing contractor advised me that my 20 year roof warranty was now void for this portion of the roofing system.
Prior to my filing in small claims court, I had expended a great amount of time trying to track Mr. Langdoc down as his business card had no office address, only a telephone number. I discovered that Mr. Langdoc was using three different addresses; one was a home he was remodeling on the west side of Kankakee and using as his Business Office. His office phone was listed in another person's name K. Schultz. His truck license plate was registered to a property on the East side of Kankakee (his mother's residence). According to county property tax records, Mr. Langdoc actually resided in Bradley at the time.
It should be noted that immediately after my success in court, Mr. Langdoc changed the name of his home remodeling company from Total Home Improvement to Total Improvement and is apparently is still doing business in Kankakee (see advertisement below).
When I did business with Mr. Langdoc back in 05, he also advertised as Licensed, Bonded, & Insured. At the time of my filing, I called the City of Kankakee and the City of Bradley regarding the status of Mr. Langdoc's contractor license. Both municipalities stated that they had no record or knowledge of Mr. Langdoc or Total Home Improvement.
Services: Construction
TOTAL
IMPROVEMENT
Home Renovations
Kitchens & Baths,
Roofing, Siding, Gutters, Vinyl Replacement
Windows/Doors, Decks, Drywall, Texture &
Repairs. Painting.
Free Estimates.
Licensed, Bonded
& Insured.
* Next Day Estimates *
815-XXX-XXXX.
Source: The Daily Journal - Kankakee, IL
Date: March 16
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