I totally agree. They super shady. The outside looks nice. But they did pay these people over a million. They elderly and wanted a ranch style home. Unfortunately i’m afraid they are never going to to move in:(

New construction built on the foundation of former home

Wow, what a picture. So glad everyone escaped, I can't imagine the heartbreak.

Sounds like they need an attorney, as mentioned above.

This is the basis of a civil lawsuit. Contact a lawyer that specializes in construction. They may recommend getting your insurance involved, as the contractor should also have to answer to them with milestone achievement progress before funds were disbursed.

Please post pictures of the work you deem sloppy.

Here’s the current status of the inside (over 2 years on the project)
https://rb.gy/fs7xjy

You may want to investigate your state laws about contractors. Some states can charge a contractor with a felony if the circumstances warrant. An action like that should certainly get the contractor's attention.

If this is egregious, you could also contact your local paper or news station to see if they would run a segment on unscrupulous contractors, especially those that take advantage of the elderly.

Further clarification needed here: Are your parents in a category that would be considered vulnerable elderly? Or, are they handling their own affairs well but just in that really large age group that demographically is clumped together as elderly? There is a huge huge difference.

Thanks for all the information.. My dad is 76 and mother is 72. Both not in the best of health. Mostly due to the home issues. It’s mentally taken a toll on both of them.. moms hairless and losing weight and my dad overwhelmed to point he doesn’t want to talk about it plus he works everyday. The situation is untenable and I seriously worry about their health. But otherwise they are capable of taking care of their affairs but since my dad is old school he wants to believe that others are honorable. These people are not

Pictures?

Can you view this link? I added a few pics on this link

https://rb.gy/fs7xjy

bit.ly/34rF2Be

Can anyone offer suggestions on where to start with filing complaints? I have some suspicious information but I want to discuss with the state consumer affairs division. I live in NJ. Any help would be helpful. Thanks for all your help as well!

Well the pictures show a beautiful house and the interior is further along than I had pictured. It's so close yet still far away to move in. Another suggestion would be to contact a TV station. Several stations have people who go out and help people get things rectified Perhaps they can help move things along. Unfortunately, you or you and your sister have to be on this guy constantly. When you don't care - they don't care and when you don't bug them, you are at the bottom of the pile. Good luck.

Very true and good points.but its just me trying to get this house finished and this company off the premises. The contract originally stated 9months to complete. It’s built on the original foundation of the house that burned down. I understand a few months of delays even 1 year. But its been over 2 years now. And parents are spending about 3,500/monthly for rent. They can be seen at the house perhaps 2 times per month. Something just isn’t right

Have an attorney send the contractor a letter.

And have you been bugging the crap out of them to get it finished? I'd be on the phone daily making a pest of myself. Your right, something is not right, but if you aren't on their case constantly, they think it's ok with you.

I’m so sorry for everything your family is going through—the fire, the health issues—all of it. And I can totally relate to what I think it is that you’re going through and how frustrating it is to not be in the position to do anything about it. Do you think your parents would be open to giving you power of attorney? Would you even be willing to take it? (I tried to PM you through your profile page, but you it looks like you haven't enabled messaging.)

Thanks you! I just enabled messaging so please reach out!

Is the insurance company reimbursing your parent's temporary housing expense? My parents were reimbursed housing and food expenses when they were displaced after a house fire.

Yes but that only lasted for 1 & 1/2 years. Now we even the post office said we have exceeded the timeframe for forwarding mail! Its really not fun at all

Your parents need to make a claim under the contractors Products and Completed Operations coverage. If they don't carry that type of policy, they need to sue.

Ok. I will check into that. They have a good insurance company with USAA

We had a devastating house fire when my 18 yr old sons were 9 mo old. We also escaped by the skin of our teeth. It was a fricking 3 yr nightmare and we were youngish. can’t imagine your parents going through this at their age.

my heart breaks for your elderly parents. you need an attorney. a good one.

please contact a Public Adjuster as well and find out if it’s too late to benefit from their expertise.

Thanks for sharing.. luckily my sister was able to wake us up since it started outside the house and no smoke came inside to be detected. Glad you and you’re family also survived the close call! God bless

"Have an attorney send the contractor a letter."

Pfffftt.

Send the contractor's wife pictures of her children at the bus stop.

We haven't actually heard what the contractor has told you when you asked them

about completion of the project.

Joseph!! Are you from NJ?

There is never is a timeline. Except the nine months listed in the contract. There is nothing but excuses and more excuses. A lot of blame thrown at my parents which is just idiotic

Under the American System each side pays its own attorney fees, and attorneys are very good at generating fees. While I sympathize with you, I am not sure the best place to start is suing the contractor.

I would attempt to negotiate an addendum to the contract that releases the contractor for any damages created by the delay if he finishes in the next 60 (or maybe 90) days. If not, you will will seek liquidated damages from the delay (all unreimbursed out of pocket expenses your parents had because of the delay).

When the contractor resists, which he will, turn it back on him with questions. Don't tell him what you think is reasonable, make him tell you and then commit him to it. For example, if he says "It should be done in 60 days," respond with, "how about we sign a deal that you will have it done in 90 days, that way you will have plenty of time."

You need to find a carrot and stick to get him to finish it.

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You can also try the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. If you feel your parents are being exploited because of their age, which you seem to, note that when you file the complaint. While it is doubtful that a single complaint will trigger an investigation he will get a notice. In most states that notice is a rather heavy handed way of saying he should work on correcting the issue. It basically says that if the Attorney General's office investigates and finds the complaint valid that he will face criminal charges.

Again, while that is unlikely that the AG has the resources to investigate every complaint, getting a notice that you could go to jail tends to adjust your thinking.

A word of caution... Many areas are cracking down on elder exploitation so much that a single complaint might actually trigger an investigation so only make that claim if you feel it is true.

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Things like this have worked well for me, but you should consult with an attorney in your area before doing either of these things. I would refrain from getting an attorney directly involved in communications until you have tried other options, but a bit of advice is often money well spent.

Good luck.

Thanks for your detailed advice. I also do not want to involve litigation but would like to see how compliant they have been with DCA’s codes and standards. They have also have done the same thing with my neighbor . $200,000 for remodeling project that was never completed and neighbor can’t even get in touch with this contractor and left a mess in his house and yard. He is also elderly. Talked to someone at the state who indicated their records have not been updated since 2018 so the documents I found may or may not be accurate! Very disconcerting