Complaint Review: Al Naccarato Construction

This event occured in 2005-2006

We had made a deal with Al Naccarato construction to build a house on a 1 acre lot that we purchased in 2004 located just outside of Spokane Washington. The project never went well - many short cuts and poor construction procedures were observed. Al's workers became increasingly hostile.

We decided to leave on a scheduled trip to Norway to visit my wife's relatives in Vaeroy, Norway. We provided Al with our contact numbers and paid all funds (draws) that were due.

Upon returning we discovered that almost no work had been done except dry wall and painting. The interior of the structure was a mess with cigarette buts ground into the subfloor and numerous blotches of spittle on the floor. We complained to Al and soon after we noticed 3 of Al's guys in the garage cutting up 2X4's and departed with no contact. Upon returning 3 hours later we discovered that we were locked out of our own property. Doors were barricaded shut with 2X4's, the garage door locked from the inside with a padlock, and a lock/knob placed on one door which we had no key. The barriers were easily defeated within 15 minutes with no structural damage to the building and we gained entry.

We had about 100 feet of exterior romex cable from the inside of the garage to supply power to our insulated, air conditioned shed were out pet cats lived. The other animals were boarded. Our concerns were that the shed A/C would quit due to a GFI trip or power outage. After gaining entry I assumed the role of general contractor and performed much of the work myself. Al then placed a lien on the property freezing our funds.

I had access to other funds and having much experience in construction acquired in summer jobs while in college, I performed almost all the work myself that did not require specific inspections such as electrical. The biggest problem was completing the geo thermal heating/AC system. I was prepared to hire workers from Water Furnace, in Seattle to complete the job but fortuately we found another contractor that performed the task with an agreement that I finish some non-technical tasks before. All the contactors that Al hired refused to help us.

We obtained a occupancy permit from Spokane county and moved in.

During my efforts to complete the project I had to fix or pay to fix:

Bathroom vent in guest bathroom vented into attic.

• Deep nailing of Hardee Plank cement/wood sideing requiring face nailing (1/4 inch thick cement siding nailed more than half way thru with a framing nailer)
• Window framing in guest bedroom not plumb or level preventing sealing of Anderson window.
• No steel drip edge on roof.
• Facia in back of house not level requiring removal and replacement for normal gutter installation (no diagonal gutters).
• Structure/ framing overhang (incompetent architect) ontop of foundation not insulated requiring removal of 30 feet of soffet and insulation between floor joists (insulation subs only insulated against sheathing leaving above soffet uninsulated causing pipes to freeze)
• Drain gravel and drain pipes not placed against foundation under front overhang (more incompetant architect) causing flooding of basement.
• Outside electrical outlets not working.
• Shower drain in bath near living room intended for swimming pool users leaked into basement.
• Paint in kitchen not as specified.
• Security/safe room steel door installed incorrectly preventing lock installation ( a real tough fix as steel door frame was embedded in concrete -welding required).
• Numerous other aggravations

After fixing most of Al's deficits we moved in and our attorney challenged the lien as being frivolous. Al wisely agreed to mediation. Al claimed we never paid him - we produced copies of some $300 K in paid bank checks. Al & Vikkie expected to be paid for work not done. We settled.

Some bad stuff happened during and after this business.

Somebody attrempted to cut off our water supply and removed the steel man-hole cover and steel collar to gain access to water meter. Somebody fired a rifle bullet, determined to be from a weapon known for durable killing ability , into our house missing  my wife by 6 feet.

During the constuction period with Al, his workers became increasingly hostle. I noticed beer cans on the site. The Hardee plank sideing was carried incorrectly causing deep U shaped sagging. Multiple layers of cement siding were cut at the same time by a worker not wearing a respirator mask, contrary to OSHA regs - this also resulted in uneven ragged end cuts.