DDK Construction LLC
Serving Arden, NC and surrounding areas
Approved
Super Service Award Winner
In business since 2004
Free estimates
Emergency services offered
"The area below the deck was covered with an oily, greasy, slippery residue ie, flagstone patio, stucco house walls, stone support pillars for deck, and numerous potted and bedding plants. Even the doormat was greasy. It had been explained to me that there would be a waiting period of 3 wks between the power wash of the joists and the spraying of the sealant. After the power wash I texted to remind the contractor for the stone area and plants to be covered, but did not know that the sealant would be applied the very next day to wet wood…and without any protective covering to the patio, pillars, house, and plants. Windows thankfully were covered. I slipped on the greasy doormat when I discovered the problem the next morning. I was not at home the day of the spraying. The cans left in the driveway said not to spray on wet wood, to protect areas/plants/objects not being sprayed, and remove immediately any overspray with compliant cleaner. I made the first payment for materials at Lowe’s ($3182.99) in July. The second payment was for posts and 2x4 wood ($1800-no receipt given) combined together with $7000 requested by contractor unexpectedly one Friday afternoon. He usually just dropped by- no appts or advance notice. Contractor left immediately after getting my check to “pay my guys”. At this point I have paid $11,982.01 toward the $14,500 contract, leaving approximately $2517. 01. Although Gerry has made numerous trips to my home, he has not brought me a copy of my signed contract or the second receipt for more materials -$1800. I asked at least 3-4 times for these documents. There was some adjustment to the original design because I did not want the small pickets seated on a huge horizontal 2x6 board. This necessitated a return of the bottom boards in exchange for smaller 2x4 boards which were then placed vertically at top and bottom to hold pickets. At the beginning of the project, I pointed out to the contractor that one of the existing posts had wood rot. Another post was unstable and I approved new posts. I had 7. He put in 14 per code but they were much smaller than original ones. That was ok with me. I have no receipt for the post wood (part of the $1800 I think) but a neighbor-house builder-contractor came by and checked Lowe’s cost for posts between $800-900. Other material might have been in that rounded figure, but again, I have no receipt. All of those posts were installed, but several were then removed because of damaged wood. I don’t feel I should pay labor twice for those posts, nor do I believe that the labor costs boosted my expenses to $18,000, a total figure the contractor jotted on a note paper, but we never discussed a new figure. Last week I asked to meet with the contractor at his convenience and asked again for him to bring my signed contract and receipts for the $1800 for “materials”. He chose 2 pm Friday, but at 3pm, I texted because he was not there. At 3:15 I told him we would need to reschedule. I had 2 appts with stone masons to assess the damage to my stonework. Both were shocked at the damage and explained that flagstone absorbs oil and power washing would not remove all the blotchy stains. They also looked at the pillars and chimney stone which was turned dark from the oil and the gravel in the driveway which was turned black. There were oil drip lines on the stucco walls and a few areas where stones had been broken from the chimney, patio, and a post. They described the procedure for removing stones to replace damaged areas so they would not be “puzzled” in with small pieces. Those areas needed to be rebuilt. Someone glued random stones into the patio and chimney with white apoxy on Friday after 5 pm after I left for dinner. These areas will need to be removed and properly repaired. I contacted an attorney at the suggestion of the stone masons and the staff at Sherman Williams Paint store when I showed them pictures. The staff at Sherman Williams also said the wood should have been dried for 3weeks, even tho it was treated wood. When I texted the contractor that I needed an attorney, he wanted to pressure wash the patio etc and put siding in 2 places and then he would be “finished”. I believe the patio and stonework Will need some significant repairs and the contractor’s liability insurance might need to be explored. I cannot make a further payment until the stone damage has been corrected by a stonework professional and a final figure is fairly negotiated. I don’t think the expense of righting my property damage and getting legal advice to do it is my responsibility."
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