Expense of their product FAR exceeded the end-result!
It must be safe to assume that many of Erie Construction's customers are not internet connected, therefore explaining the lack of complaints about this company - I can't believe that WE are the only ones with this problem!!!
This is a horrible, if not long, story. However, I feel compelled to warn others about Erie Construction - a company that I once had confidence in when it came to home improvement. I am going to skip much of the story because it will be irrelevant in the long run - but let's suffice it to say that we (my husband and I) screwed up but were willing to swallow a HUGE, bitter pill. With that said, here it is:
In mid-August, we signed a contract with Erie Construction to install new siding, soffit and fascia to our home. Because a few years prior, we had our windows replaced by Erie, we were offered a significant discount on the price of our siding (50%) The ENTIRE deal with the windows was awesome - from contract to installation to current - so we trusted Erie with the siding under this pretense.
Initially, we had been contacted by Erie's marketers for the siding because they were having a 30% fiscal year discount on their siding product (sell the old at discount to make room for the new). It is apparent that we got neither of these because I find it difficult to believe that our 1700 sq foot, ranch-style (living space) house, plus 2 car garage, would cost nearly $40k to $60k to side at full price (the price we got is supposedly a 30% savings. Unfortunately, the "savings" is not quoted ANYWHERE on the contract and we didn't look for that when we signed)! Not only that, but we are not getting ANY of the front siding replaced - including the front of the garage (this is the BIG pill I was talking about). Ok - with that, we can accept that we were stupid to sign the contract in the first place, but realize that this was a reputable company who had done such a fantastic job with our windows - the money would be WELL worth spending for siding of similar quality.
On Sept 30, the work began - with two older gentleman - one of which (I'll call him "J") was admittedly retired and the father of the owner/operator of the sub-contracting company. The work began slowly and "J" informed me it was slow-going because they didn't have and weren't provided with all the materials and equipment needed by Erie to do some of the work. Ok - no big deal at this point - they are only a week into it, after all. So, the siding was begun first - before the soffit and fascia (It is my understanding *now* that this is back-asswards procedure???).
Anyway, early in the 2nd week into it, I noticed a couple of problems and pointed them out. They were fixed, but not without a bit of himming and hawing of why the problems existed. I pointed out that none of the surrounding areas looked similar to the problems so if the rest could be done right, so could the problem areas.
"J" asked me to sign the Certificate of Satisfaction on Wednesday, that 2nd week, but they weren't even NEAR being done. Having already experienced the consequences a hasty and ignorant signature on a binding contract, I declined to do this again and "J" stated that he understood my position and accepted my response. He also asked that I put sticky notes up whenever I noticed something wrong - I did agree to do this, however, not knowing anything about the process of siding installation, I wasn't aware that those things I was seeing were their idea of the FINISHED product. I thought that the problems were so blatantly obvious that they were just there until the finishing touches could be applied at the end of the job. (I would LOVE to post the photos!!!).
The 3rd week into the installation, and the near finished product, I was notified that they were almost done and that they would be out the next day to put the last of the caulking around the front bay window. After "J's" departure that evening, I walked around the house and couldn't believe my eyes, so I grabbed a video camera and walked completely around my house with it. My husband took still photos with a 35mm at the same time. I called Erie Construction after I was finished and left a message for someone... Anyone... To call me first thing in the morning at work.
To make a very long story just a little shorter, "R", a Rep from Erie, came out that next day and has been telling us all along that he will make every effort to get our satisfaction with their product since he also noticed that the job just wasn't right. He even told us that he had set up an appointment for a 3rd party inspector to come out and survey the situation at Erie's expense - that never happened. I found out today, when I called to make an appointment myself that "R" had, in fact, called and set up the appointment twice but both times, cancelled. The 1st time, the inspector cancelled because he could not reach "R" to establish a time for the inspection. The 2nd time, "R" cancelled, for unknown reasons. *I* am willing to spend the extra $60 for the regional inspector to come out and give me a report on his findings. If for nothing else to prove that I am not crazy (or too picky).
The next "crew" to come out, mid-October, was the owner of the sub-contracting company... Yes: the son! He really wasn't helpful at all. After about a week of piddle-fartin' around, he had hardly touched any of the problem areas. When he got tired of piddle-fartin' he requested that we sign the Cert of Completion and hand over the final check. We again declined. However, he wasn't as cordial as his father and was pretty huffy with us (I am being rather generous with the commentary here, because I would just as soon slap this guy than to look at him! He became quite an a*hole when we refused signature and payment). When "R" returned and pointed out the problems that still existed, "J, Jr." stood in our driveway and stated (this is an EXACT quote), "Well, that'll be a lot of work." He also says, "Can I get a list, because every time I come out here, it is something different." I thought my husband would come unglued at that remark! It wasn't that it was something different each time, it was the repeated indications of those things that needed fixed but weren't getting fixed each and every time "J, Jr." showed up! He even admitted that he over-looked or "miss-repaired" those things he had *attempted* as we all walked around the house with "R", pointing the problems out YET AGAIN!
Now, we are 6 weeks and the 3rd crew (different company, since "J, Jr." *couldn't* come back) into this project. The holidays are quickly approaching and my new siding looks worse than the old siding it is replacing! I really can't blame the 3rd crew too much... Their attempts have been honest and *some* of the problems have been fixed - however, much more of it looks like patch work! For brand new siding, patch work is completely unacceptable!!! BUT, the 3rd crew has their hands tied as to what they can do and are limited by what Erie will allow in materials for the repairs/replacement. One of the 3rd crew even told us that to REALLY fix the WHOLE job properly, it would all need to be torn down and started over from the very beginning because that is where most of the problems began in the first place (starting with the siding going up before the soffit and fascia).
I have also had a couple of gentlemen whom have had experience in siding installation check out the work and they were completely appalled. I can't WAIT for what the regional inspector will report!!! I am certain it will be well-worth the money I am paying for it!!!
I contacted an attorney today who told me to call Erie and continue to request that they (Erie) repair their "breech of contract" and if they don't, then I am to contact him again and he will get futher involved. If Erie continues with their lame attempts, he will file a lawsuit. The attorney did advise me that as long as they are willing to repair, in earnest, we must let them. The moment they are no longer willing to offer to provide us the product that we paid for, we have a court case.
I have attempted to research Erie Construction, but there isn't much about them anywhere. I checked out the BBB (which I have since learned is a farce in itself) that shows that they have only had a couple of complaints over the past few years, but those were "resolved" and Erie has a satisfactory rating with the BBB. I just hope that we can come out of this with at least a little bit of our dignity still intact - and the siding we expected!!!
My posting here is to simply make others aware to READ your contract before you sign!!! If you can't understand what it says, spend $35 or $40 to have an attorney look it over first (trust me, it's worth it!)! Don't let high-pressure tactics influence your gut instinct! If they tell you that you must sign NOW or you will lose out on the "special offer, " let the scheming rip-off bastards walk with their blank forms in hand! Show them to the door QUICKLY!
If you DO sign a contract, be sure it contains EVERYTHING (in specific detail) that was offered to you verbally!!! Make sure you know who the sub-contractors doing the work will be in advance and ask to see some of their prior work! Make sure that what you see is what THAT SPECIFIC WORKER (s) did! Just because the installer works for a reputable company doesn't mean their work is as good as their co-workers'!!! Be certain that the installers you were expecting to do your work are the ones sent to your home!!! Ask for a company sign to be place in front of your house advertising the company doing the job (there hasn't been a sign in our yard yet - but I will put one of my own out and see how the Erie Rep reacts). Get business cards with names and phone numbers (these will accumulate quickly, but keep ALL of them!)! Get copies of licenses! You can NEVER have too much information!
If you're in the same boat I am in right now, and have already dug a hole and are not sure what to do next to climb out, RESEARCH! Ask TONS of questions from various folks - you never know who may have the answer you need! There is a solution to EVERY problem, you just have to look for it! Keep looking until you find your answer... A lot of these companies rely on your giving up, succumbing to their B.S. And just accepting what they give you, regardless of what it is. We are consumers and do have rights, though not many it seems. Persistence and consistency are the key!
I will post as things progress... And I am sure they will, one way or the other!
Best regards, my fellow consumers!
KJM
Vernon, Michigan
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