Cumming Construction LLC

The initial project with the bedroom started well, so we decided to add the living room project on. We had paid for high quality windows ($375/piece), but he installed bottom of the barrel windows. We didn't like that and so we requested that they be changed. He refused. We found out that everything that we had paid for was documented as something totally different on his paperwork. He had forged information through the township on the permits. The paper work that needed to be filed was forged. The price was over $10,000 lower and my name was forged on the paperwork. That is tax evasion. He has not been responsive. We have tried for 3 days to get a hold of him. We paid $2800 for electrical work and the electrician hasn't been paid by him and so the electrician is trying to get ahold of him for payment. His workers are very nice, but him, not so much.

Note: We have nearly everything written below documented in email and would be happy to share (upon request) so that others do not have to go through the unprofessional mess we are still going through several months later and potentially lose time and money. Important things to consider: 1) Cumming proved to be incompetent in understanding the required steps and parties who needed to be involved to successfully complete our project and in agreeing realistic timelines for our project. 2) Cumming does not accept credits cards--he is a cash/check only business--so his clients have little recourse other than good faith and ultimately legal action to recoup costs when a project/relationship goes south (e.g., unhappy with quality or timeliness of service, need to terminate due to incompetence). 3) Cumming's quote came in less than proposals from other contractors for the same project. Therefore, "you get what you pay for" is an important thing to factor in when considering working with Cumming. 4) Cumming did a poor job of selecting third parties (e.g., structural engineers subcontractors) to meet project requirements and timelines in our engagement. 5) Cumming is not timely or thorough when responding to emails or voicemail. If you conduct business primarily through email, expect to face delayed and half-baked responses from Cumming. Here is a summary of the events we experienced in our engagement with Cumming: -28 Jul. - We sent request for proposals to three suppliers, one of which was Cumming based on his Angie's List review and experience in building roof decks -31 Jul. - We met with Cumming at our home to gather information for a proposal -07 Aug. - We received first documented proposal from Cumming -08 Aug. - We sent revisions to Cumming's proposal to him. including material changes, add-ons, and our expected timelines -14 Aug. - Cumming countered with updates to cost, materials, etc. -21 Aug. - We agreed to Cumming's counterproposal and started the contract negotiation process. -27 Aug. - We requested Cumming to schedule site visit to our home from structural engineer of his choice to assess the proposal for egress method/deck design for structural feasibility before signing contract Everything in the engagement was fine up to this point -04 Sep. - Cumming claimed his structural engineer was out of town and could not do a site visit to confirm project plans; later same day after we applied pressure due to tight project timelines, Cumming conflicted his statements by saying he met with and agreed designs with engineer; we were unsatisfied with this and again requested a site visit by engineer to confirm plans -05 Sep. - Engineer and Cumming performed site visit and assured us the project proposal was structurally feasible -11 Sep. - Following verbal assurances, we executed revised contract with Cumming -12 Sep. - Mailed 10% deposit check (>$2,500) to Cumming to pay for engineer to develop project drawings, seal drawings, and obtain permits for work from Philadelphia L&I -22 Sep. - We requested status from Cumming; he responded project is pending engineer to begin work on drawings -23 Sep. - We directly contacted engineer to determine status of drawigns; engineer responded saying he needed drawings to work from, which puzzled us since we thought he would be creating drawings but nonetheless we sent him rough sketches to base the formal drawings -26 Sep. - We requested status from Cumming; he responded that we would have drawings from engineer to review in "about one week" -29 Sep. - We again requested status from engineer; he responded he had received rough sketches and that we would receive drawings in "a few days" -02 Oct. - We again requested status from engineer; no response received -03 Oct. - Cumming then requested status from engineer; no response received -05 Oct. - We requested Cumming to advise if engineer had officially been engaged/paid to do the drawings, as we were growing concerned with engineer and in case we needed to find an alternative engineer -06 Oct. - Engineer responded saying he had never received the rough drawings (which we emailed on 26 Sep. and confirmed with him he had received on 29 Sep.); engineer stated it would be yet another 3-4 days after receiving that we would have drawings to review; engineer later telephoned us saying that he does not create drawings and that Cumming should have advised us that an architect separately needed to be engaged to make drawings -10 Oct. - Because of growing concerns in both Cumming and his engineer's incompetence to realize that a totally separate third party (e.g., design architect) would be needed involved to create formal drawings, we engaged with an architect ourselves to design the project -11 Oct. - We requested Cumming to provide a 40 ft. ladder for architect to use to access roof and begin project plans, which he later did -27 Oct. - After architect began work, we requested Cumming to work with architect to facilitate completion of drawings, engage with a new structural engineer to seal drawings, and pay architect for drawing fees out of deposit initially provided; no response received -03 Nov. - Second request to Cumming sent to work with architect to pay for drawing fees, discuss design measurements, and line up a new structural engineer to seal drawings; no response received. -07 Nov. - Third request to Cumming sent; no response received -19 Nov. - We received a voicemail from Cumming ask if he could pick up his ladder; I called later that morning to say that no one would be home to unlock his ladder (we locked it to deter it being stolen from our backyard) and that we would have to reschedule for him to pick it up due to short notice (morning of) he provided. During the call, I asked Cumming to explain his lack of responsiveness to our emails and what status was of him paying architect for drawings and engaging with new engineer to seal drawings, to which he gave no explanation other than "he has been busy"; upon arriving home that night, we found that the lock we had put around the ladder had been cut and the ladder had been taken despite us telling Cumming it was locked and that we needed to reschedule pick-up. -20 Nov. - Following this complete disregard of respect and the destruction of our property, we terminated with Cumming and demanded our deposit (plus $20 for the lock destroyed) be returned within 7 business days -28 Nov. - We sent reminder email requesting deposit check; no response received -02 Dec. - We left voicemail reminder for deposit check; no response received -05 Dec. - We referred matter to attorney for handling to recoup our deposit

Integrity? Nice guy, BUT, it's now been 4 weeks since Jon cashed my final payment check for a full bathroom remodel, and 2 weeks since his plumber agreed something is wrong. I still do not have, nor have I ever had, a correctly functioning shower/tub. His original installation had to be changed when I noticed the shower head, faucets, and spout were not even close to being aligned This he did correct before the tile was installed. Now, however, I can not fill the tub with hot water unless it is filled via the shower head. He did try the trouble shooting tips that came with the installation instructions - but nothing worked. That leaves a bad valve or faulty installation as possible culprits. The valve used was not the valve that came with the fixtures I chose, though he said it was "the same model". On examination, the method of installation was not any of the 3 recommended in the manufacturer instructions. This can clearly be seen by removing the easy access panel. He has failed to reply to any of my phone calls or emails about this continuing situation. I am now forced to correct this problem myself by hiring a plumbing contractor and then seeking restitution and compensation.

Jon did an excellent job from start to finish. Upon coming out to give an estimate, Jon gave his honest opinion, discussed various options for doing the work, and was happy to do the work the way we wanted without trying to sell us more than we needed. The price Jon quoted was what we paid and was very reasonable (and less than other quotes we received - Note: the approximate cost is for the labor and not materials). When he came out to do the work, Jon was professional and courteous. We will definitely hire Cumming Construction again and, in fact, already have more work lined up for him, since we trust the quality of Jon's work.

Jon Cumming of Cumming Construction phone 610-519-0245, tore down the kitchen/dining room wall to open the floor plan. Radiant floor heating was placed and Jon did a superlative job of laying down the ceramic floor tile. He installed the kitchen cabinetry flawlessly. His mitering for the crown molding on the cabinets was perfect. He replaced double hung windows with a beautiful bay window and finished the window with, again, flawless mitering. The patio door was installed and works perfectly. We had unusual backsplash placed which he put up perfectly. The place looks fantastic! Jon also did the upstairs bathroom as artwork. We tore down down the old wall and expanded the bathroom by 30" into the guest bedroom. He did a beautiful job on the subway tile on the walls and the floor tile was again beautifully done. I would highly recommend Jon to be able to handle any kind of job from small job to major renovations. I have recommended him to others who have loved his work as well. Jon is such a wonderful find I would not consider using another contractor. Jon is very easy going, does not get rattled, is very professional, prompt and fair. Always on time and works hard for his money One great thing about Jon, is that you are his only job until it is completed. NO disappearing acts!!!!!

The finished product looks much better than what we started with, and we are generally very pleased. Jon was on time for the estimate, on time for the project, and finished it on time (and on budget!), as well. He was also punctual and clear in his communications, which is appreciated. We are looking to build a 2nd floor egress to a roof deck next summer, and will consider Jon for that project, as well.

I started first by reviewing Jon's website ( which was well done), I sent an email in which he called a few days later and set up a visit for a quote. I did get a few other quotes, but Jon took his time explaining the process and walking me through it. This was my first large project, his quote was great and his overall demeanor was reassuring. I was lucky enough to lock him in before the busy spring/summer season so we started the project within a month. Jon and his son were fantastic to work with. Professional and courteous while working in my home. Jon was true to his word and adhered to the contract and timeline. I was very impressed with the quality of workmanship, materials used, and overall appearance. I would definitely recommend his services, and I plan on using them again for my kitchen. I absolutely love the rooftop deck, amazing views of the city skyline!! I really appreciate all your hard work, thank you again!

Jon never showed up for the estimate. He didn't call, text or email.