ComplaintsforCrist Construction

• Initial Complaint

  07/01/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Crist Construction put an attached patio cover over an existing patio. The job, which we were initially quoted $17,500, ended up costing $18,750. After the job was complete, water started leaking in the interior corner of the house where the roof had been attached. Between 5/21/24- 6/10/24, I called Joe 8 times regarding this damage and sent pictures of the interior water damage. Initially, Joe responded to my phone calls and said he would send a worker out (but was rarely able to say when). Many times, a worker did not come out as promised and when someone did, their only solution was to caulk areas of the roof, often in incorrect areas. Within that time frame, the leak continued, the interior water damage worsened, and Joe stopped responding to my phone calls. Many times, I was unable to leave a voicemail because his mailbox was full. Because Joe stopped responding to my calls, my wife called him on 6/18/24 and spoke with Joe regarding the damage. He said a worker would come out that day, however, no one did. My wife called again on 6/20/24 and spoke with Joe. A worker was sent out that day, but again, only caulked an area of the roof and provided no other solution. On 6/29/24, the interior water damage became significantly worse as water began to stream out from the ceiling and onto the floor and we needed to put buckets on the floor to catch the water. The drywall is also ruined. I sent Joe multiple pictures of the damage that day and left voicemails, but he still has yet to respond. I am extremely frustrated at the lack of communication and follow-through, as well as the lack of a solution to this problem. I have no trust in this company to properly fix the exterior leak or now fix all of the interior damage that it has caused. I am looking for financial restitution to be able to find another company to fix the exterior roof leak, repair the interior damage to our interior ceiling, walls and floor, and for all of the stress this company created.

  Business response

  08/07/2024

  P.O. BOX 634 AMHERST, NY 14226
  
  August 06,2024
  Regarding complaint ID ******** (*****)
  When I was notified that there was a roof leak in the new patio roof, I went to inspect.
  They have a metal chimney right at the line of where our new roof meets the existing at the
  chimney. We could not cut in new flashing, it being metal, so we used flashing cement behind. I
  went out again after being informed of leaking, and "ramped" the flashing cement to divert the
  water. I went out again the evening that I received the complaint and took apart the side wall area
  to add more wall flashing. It is tough chasing a roof leak when there are many areas of possible
  leakage. I was away for a week up north on a fishing trip and had no phone service to take the
  ****** messages.
  The leak should be permanently fixed. Since they have expressed a lack of confidence in
  us, I will pay for someone else to do the interior repairs if reasonable.
  Sincerely,
  Joseph Christ

• Initial Complaint

  12/01/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Delivery Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  I signed a Contract with Joe Crist of Crist Construction on 15 April 2022 for a covered roof over new concrete patio. The covered portion was to be built "according to the Plans" specified in the architectural drawings provided to Crist. The new concrete and the electrical portion of the job were not part of the contract bid. The Construction of the covered portion of the patio was started 22 August 2022. The rough framing of the project failed inspection by the town of Lancaster for multiple problems, and a stop work order was levied. According to the Lancaster building inspector, at one point someone from Crist attempted to provide pictures of different home to the inspector to show the construction methods used and the inspector rejected the fraud outright. Joe Crist and his company ignored calls from me for almost a full month as no work was done on the project. I had to inquire with the building inspector as to what the problems were as Crist provided no information to me. Due to the extensive nature of the poorly constructed framing, I had to bring in the original architect to review the problems, assess a solution to the poor construction and provide an analysis of the remedy. Eventually the repair work was completed and Crist had workers come in and complete a majority of their project (Approximately the week prior to Thanksgiving). I had to call repeatedly to get them to repair and replace my siding prior to the arrival of winter weather here in NY. Since 27 Nov 2022, I have heard nothing back from Crist despite daily phone calls to Joe Crist and the Office. I would estimate that there is still @15% of the project left to complete. Total price of the contract was for $24,000. to date I have made all the requested payments except for the final check for $5000.

  Business response

  12/08/2022

  Mr. ******* stated that we started his project in August of 2022 which is true. This was 2 months later than estimated on our contract because his concrete work was not completed. A lot of things happened over those two months. I lost three employees from the contract date to the start date which greatly hurt production. On our contract "time was of the essence" I went to meet with Mr. ******* "face to face" to explain the personal and production problems that I had and told him we would be back next week to finish which we did. I do apologize for the lack of communication; I was in and out of hospitals without phone service or answers. 
  We did have issues with the work my framer had done but with advice of the architect, we completed the corrections and satisfied the Town inspectors approval for the "rough inspection”. The architect told me that other than those items that the roof was "well built" I did make the mistake of giving the inspector the wrong job pictures. That week I gave him 3 jobs end pictures, and he received the wrong ones for this job, which was corrected. Also, the electrician delayed us two weeks in completing his work and getting electric inspection. 
  Mr. ******* called to complain that we had not framed a 3' walkway roof that he wanted. I went right out to see him and pointed out that it was not on his plans, but we would add it for him as a courtesy at no charge. It was not my mistake, it was his and his architects, but we worked it out. No thanks here. 
  The job has been completed as contracted and has received final inspection approval by ***** *****, the Town Building Inspector. Mr. ******* is withholding my final $5,000.00 payment for extra work he is seeking. The job was completed 100% as proposed on my 4/5/22 proposal, the 4/15/22 contract, and unfortunately legal action is pending for me to collect what he is withholding with 10% interest and 30% of the $5,000.00 due for legal/collection fees as specified on #14 of "terms and conditions" of the back of our contract. 
  Sincerely, 
  Joe Christ 
  Crist Construction 
  CONTRACT/AGREEMENT 
  Crist 
  Construction Corp. (CCC) 
  P.O. Box 634 Amherst, NY 14226 
  ******** 
  

  
  

  Customer response

  12/08/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  Mr. Christ
  Responding to your letter you submitted to the BBB.
  Your version of the timeline and the reasons behind your company’s lack of work on my patio are factually inaccurate. To begin, the concrete work was completed on July 31, 2022 and available for you to begin work on August 1, 2022. Delayed, yes, but not unreasonably. And the project could have been finished in the month of August.  Your company started framing on 21 August.  You stated that there was a delay of 2 weeks waiting for the electrician to finish his work. The electrician started work September 5th.  The electrician received the concealed wiring inspection on September 9th.  From that point on you could have worked on the structure but did not.  Only the roof was shingled by a sub-contractor between September 9th and October 5th.  The structure failed the first inspection by the town on October 5 (26 days after the concealed wiring sign off), and I was not made aware of the failure.  The building inspector attempted to contact you but got no answer.  That information is part of the public log the town keeps, and I have a copy of that log.  From that point on, your crews did not work on the house at all.  On October 13th, the electrician received the final inspection on his work.
  I called the town October 30th (25 days after the initial failure) to inquire if they knew a reason why nothing was being done on the project.  It was at that time I was made aware of the first failure and the wrong pictures being sent in.  After learning of the inspection failure, I asked the inspector to come to the house the next day to see if perhaps, proper repairs had been made (that I had not seen or was aware of) and we could move forward.  The inspector arrived at my request since you would not communicate with me.  On October 31st, again the structure failed inspection.  It was clear that nothing had been done to fix the issues, and a stop work order was put in place (Orange TAGs) until the structural issues were remedied. After the second failure, I was the one to coordinate the meeting between you, the town, and the architect to determine a path forward. I was the one who got the remediation letter and provided it to you and to the town (November 14th) Shortly after that, your crew started to work.  However, I had to call you repeatedly to get your crews to finish the siding and cover up the exposed structure of my house before the first major snowstorm of the year. Although I did have sympathy initially for your health issues, I lost it when you continued to ignore me, and then claimed you were short on workers.  In reading your letter, you were able to work on other contracts as you had “3 job end pictures” that you “sent the wrong ones” to the inspector (regarding my project) so you were able to do work, just not on my house, and especially after you learned the house failed the first inspection. You also state you lost your employees prior to the commencement of the rough construction (delayed two months, during that time…”) All that occurred prior to the start of your work August 21st.  Not doing work in the month of September and October when all the issues arose, was the true reason for the delays.  As for the walkway that you mention, it is clearly shown in the plans and obvious in the drawings, and the architect can verify that as well.  As you continue to threaten legal action, I do wonder if a compromise cannot be reached. Regardless, the 6x6 PT support poles remain uncovered in any manner, and I do not consider your work on the project as complete. I can back up all my information with pictures, logs, the inspectors, architect, and electrician. You have received my itemized list of work not performed and the value of that work.  

  ** *** *******
  

  Business response

  01/13/2023

  Regarding Case #18488316: 
  We can go around and around about the details of this job. The concrete completion delay started us out bad. Just because it was already Monday 8/1 doesn't mean that we could drop everything and start 8/2. 
  Yes, there were delays, problems, etc., but it all worked out and we completed the structure as outlined on my 4/5 job estimate. Read my 6 specifications on page 1-very clear on what I was proposing, including vinyl post coverings. We then contracted the job referencing my estimate and time not being of the essence. 
  Aside from help, health, family, and even the suicide of my foreman's son, the job has been completed, inspected, and approved. Now I want to get paid as Mr. ******* agreed, minus the vinyl post covering cost of $120.00 each. Without payment I am forced to have my lawyer take over the collection process with these costs added. 
  Sincerely, 
  Joe Christ 
  Crist Construction 

  Customer response

  01/27/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  On December 7, 2022 I provided Mr. Crist a detail list of work not accomplished (and associated costs) per our contract. This list was required to show why final payment was being withheld by me. To date, Mr. Crist has yet to respond to this contract required letter. Mr. Crist failed to construct “a wood frame gable roof with adjoining section as on plans” as evidenced by the observations of the architect, Mr. **** ********. As per his letter (see attachment).  
  Per your Department’s request I completed a site visit to the above referenced project to review the deviations from the documents we had provided for the covered porch project. Please see below for my responses.
  1. NE small roof area has 2x6 framing rather than 2x8 as called for. These roof members are undersized as constructed - We have directed the contractor to sister an additional 2x6 to each existing roof rafter. 
  2. Beam at NE small roof is not mechanically connected to framing mounted to rear garage wall framing – We have directed the contractor to provide a Angle Bracket to secure this connection back to the garage wall. Basis of design is Simpson Strong-Tie AE Angle Bracket or approved alternative. 
  3. Short post supporting ridge beam at open end of roof was not mechanically fastened at either top or bottom beam connections – We have directed the contractor to provide a post base/cap at both locations. Basis of design is ******* ********** ** ** ** ****** Post Caps or approved alternative.   
  Although Mr. Crist refers to the 6 sub items listed on our contract, I understood this to be an example of all the work to be done, not a complete list. Mr. Crist was clear and specific with the work that would not done by his company (Concrete and electrical). In his 6 item list he does not mention using nails, screws, brackets, replacement of siding, and any number of other requirements for construction, yet those were assumed to be used in the accomplishment of his work and as shown on the architectural plans. The 6 item list says nothing like “only to include” or any other language that would suggest he would ignore the plans and the architectural drawings provided to him. 
  Mr Crist and his company abandoned the project without even finishing the posts with a minimum of vinyl wrapping. As a result, I had to try to protect the exposed wood myself for the winter. That is an additional cost to me and was not included in my December 7, 2022 letter. As per the letter provided to me by the BBB, the BBB had considered the case close on December 20, 2022 based on an inability to reach Mr. Crist or his company and attempt to reach a resolution. Mr. Crist has only responded 30 days after the case was considered closed. I believe that Mr. Crist has not met his contractual requirements, and therefore I am withholding any further payment. 
  ***
  *** *******
  
  
  See attached.
  
  

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