Geoghegan Construction

We hired Mr. Dermot Geoghegan, builder, from Sharon, MA based upon an exceptional referral from our former next door neighbors. Mr. Geoghegan had built a 3 season porch for them in the late 90's and they were very pleased with his work. Fast forward to June of 2011, we hired Dermot to build a combination 3 season porch with a large deck attached and a sunken hot tub support system. We decided that perhaps a 4 season porch with windows/ carpet etc would be a better option for our growing family so we asked Dermot to price up the project. Dermot came in with a fair price, we signed a contract for a 4 season porch and started construction on July 16th, 2011. Dermot had felt that 4-6 weeks was a fair estimation of time to be expected. Little did I know right from the beginning, even though we had signed a contract with him for a fully finished room with windows, insulation etc, he did not pull a permit for a 4 season porch, he pulled one for a 3 season. This is where things went down hill. Along the way, we had changes that Mr. Geoghegan should have had a change order for like any builder would have. We had him add an extended half round window, upgraded our windows to Harvey Vicon Classic, added a Harvey slider, changed our decking from Trex to Azek and changed our railing system from pressure treated wood with a Trex rail cap to a much more reliable Certainteed Panorama composite railing system that would last much longer and be maintenance free. When all was said and done our contract had reached around $55,000. During the process, I was very excited so I took many photos of the project. Around October 6th, now 11 weeks into a project that Mr. Geoghegan said would take 4-6 weeks, he approaches me and tells me that the building inspector needs him to pull a new permit for a 4 season porch and that he needs a check for $1,000 today. So, as a reasonable homeowner, I gave him the money. As part of that request from the building inspector, Dermot was supposed to pull a new permit, install a ridge vent, install soffit vents, and submit new plans to the fire department and building department. The only part of this he did was install soffit vents. When Dermot brought in his hired electrician to finish the work there was a surprise. For some reason, there was no power on the two main electrical feeds that were roughed in. As it turns out, when Dermot was building the Wainscotting he was using a skillsaw to make adjustments on the finish work. Sloppily he cut through the main two electrical lines in the process. As part of our contract we were guaranteed that work would be performed by licensed, insured subcontractors and up to MA building code. Since the licensed electrician was also here today to wire our brand new hot tub, I went downstairs to check on the process. I was floored to see Mr. Geoghegan wiring the tub himself. I was shocked, so I approached the electrician that Dermot had hired and asked if we was hired to wire the hot tub that day. Shockingly the answer I received was, no he was not hired to wire the tub, he was only hired to wire the new addition. I approached Dermot and demanded an answer as this was my families safety at stake with an unlicensed person attempting to wire a 240 volt hot tub himself to save money on his project! He lied to me and told me that he was just getting the wiring ready for the electrician! Now November 2011, 16 weeks into our 4-6 week project, Dermot has completely finished the interior of our 4 season porch, with punch list two pages long. He built the exterior deck to about 90% completion and put up temporary rails on my deck, he told me this was because OSHA was very strict on job sites and safety. On November 17th, after Dermot guaranteeing that our project would be done and complete so we could enjoy it with our family on Thanksgiving, Dermot left on Thursday November 17th, fully paid for my entire project minus approximately $3,000 dollars. He did not return on Friday for work, instead he sent me an email, and a bill for $12,000 of overages that we had all along told me were part of our original contract. I then contacted the assistant building inspector to let him know what happened. Mr. Day, the assistant building inspector alerted me to many things I was not aware of. Apparently, Dermot had not been listening to a multitude of concerns that Mr. Day, the Mansfield Assistant Building Inspector, had since August with our project. Mr. Day in turn sent me a list of code violations and items that needed to be fixed in order for me to get a certificate of occupancy and finish the project. Mr. Day also informed me that there were major structural concerns that he would now need an engineer to survey the project and he would only be satisfied with an engineer's stamped set of plans. So now I had to hire a consultant and engineer at a cost of $7,000 out of pocket expenses to find out what was necessary to fix Dermot's poor workmanship and structural deficiencies. I received the plans and estimate to fix our home and pages of MA building code violations. I was floored to understand that the cost to fix my house was $50,000 plus another $10 - $15,000 to finish the deck and (2) stair systems with the finishes we had already paid Dermot Geoghegan for. Total cost to me, approximately $72,000 in structural repairs + $55,000 I already paid Dermot. I have the most expensive 22 X 16 foot edition in our town now at $127,000!! My reason for writing this long review, be very cautious when you enter into a home improvement contract and understand fully who you are doing business with. This man has not only damaged our home, he has also caused emotional duress to my entire family. Keep this in mind before you hire Mr. Dermot P. Geoghegan of Sharon, MA, License #16698REG. Thank you for reading my true story which unfortunately sounds like an episode of Holmes on Holmes!