Complaint Review: Covert Construction

I figured I'd add a response telling how my experience with Sam Covert went.  I wanted a solid, insulated patio cover and figured I would save some money by installing it myself. 

It's funny, I actually picked Covert Construction because of Sam's response to the complaint here.  I thought he sounded reasonable and that his response was pretty classy compared to what I would have written. 

He came to the house, measured everything and together we came up with a plan.  My wife picked the colors, Sam wrote everything down, He didn't bug me for payment yet and left us to discuss it and decide if we wanted to do it. 

A couple of days later I called him up and gave him the go-ahead to order.  Within a couple of weeks, he brought the materials to the house and spent at least a couple of hours with me getting me started on the assembly.  Some of the stuff was damaged at the factory and he had to bring replacements a few days later, but I expected that sort of thing.  Usually I expect colors or other major items to be wrong with any project like this, but amazingly that was all correct.

The instructions from the factory were pretty crappy and not for the type of cover I had, but Sam showed me nearly everything I needed to know and was available by phone for the things we'd missed.  I needed a few extra things here and there, and he was always available to get me small items like screws, etc.  I never felt like he's just dropped the stuff off and abandoned me, he seemed like he really did want me to succeed.  He forgot to tell me to cut the roof panels to a certain length before installing, and I installed them before doing that.  I called him to ask why the panels were not flush on the ends, and he felt bad about it and wanted to come to my house and cut them for me (it was going to be harder to cut them after they had been installed).  That's about a two hour drive both ways!  I figured out a way to cut them myself, so he didn't have to make the trip.  But that was nice of him to offer.

A week or so I finished the thing and couldn't be more happy.  It looks way better than I expected and my wife is impressed that I did it myself.  If you can build things and know how to use tools, and know how to drive sheet metal screws without stripping the material, it's not a hard project.  Sam even provided the engineering for the permit, all I had to do was take it in to the city and drop it off (after making copies) and in three days I had my permit.

The whole thing went smoothly and I have a hard time understanding what went wrong with the original complaint here.  Maybe it's a legitimate problem, but it wasn't my experience at all.  I didn't know Sam before I read this report, and didn't get any sort of special treatment or deal from him, and he helped me succeed and I thought I'd pass that along.

Steve Dold, Dixon CA

I was lucky enough to have a backyard renovation featured on the DIY Show "Indoors Out" and, as part of that work, I had a Covert Construction Patio Cover installed over a new patio.  The show was scheduled for filming over a three day period in September 2010.
 
Same flew in from California to do the work in VA (I BELIEVE he used a plane!)  Unfortunately, due to 8' of rain, the only part of the Patio Cover that was completed on Day 1 was the installation of the steel support posts.  Over the final two days, Sam singlehandedly cut, shaped, bent, screwed, glued, caulked, wired and otherwise assembled the my 10' by 12' new patio cover with sidelights and a ceiling fan.  Over those two remaining (and long 12 hour!!) days, Sam went up and down a ladder what seemed to be (and may have been!!) a THOUSAND times. 
 
Sometime in that flurry of activity, Sam (as a former Marine) made time to pay his respects at Arlington Cemetery.
 
Superlative craftsmanship and super-human effort from a SUPER-MAN.  Thanks Sam!

Does THIS sound like the man in the Ripoff complaint?      

This will be the last time I speak on this matter. I did not at any time sign a contract or receive any money from this young man. I did business with his father who was satisfied with the work and paid as soon as it was completed. It should be obvious this young man is has threatened me because he continues to attack me even when I do not respond.
I do not know what his problem is. There are no unfinished issues between his father and I and to date I have not heard from his father. I can not allow this young man to unfairly malign and defame me and my company. He continues to slander me and my company on line with out any substantiated proof or evidence. He makes up more statements that sound good to him and offers them as proof. It is unfortunate for his father ( who seems to me to be a great guy )this young man continues in this civil un-lawful manner.
In my opinion this young man has serious issues that can only be dealt with by a professional.
As I said before I have over 2000 satisfied customers, Those who know me know this complaint is false, For those who do not know me I hope you realize what this kid is doing, He threatened me and his continued unprovoked attacks using this web site are proof. I have obtained legal advice and hope I do not have to report here later I had to seek relief from the court over these vicious un founded attacks.
This young man should talk to an attorney to see what a bad position he is putting his family in. I do not like being put in the position to defend my good reputation because of the angry hurtful and un lawful actions of this young man. and I feel bad for the dis regard this young man has for all that will be affected by this.

ok in his first Rebuttal he said, " I never would argue with one of there children
or use the type of foul language this kid claims." on his second reply he said, "I can not prove that this young man threatened me anymore then he can
prove I used foul language
because we were talking on cell phones." He admits himself he used foul language. He also said that I threatened him, I never threatened him, I just told him that he needs to come and paint the post, i did not use any threatening words or any swear words. He says i filled this complaint to ruin his business, what would i get from doing this? I posted this so others would know what happened with me.

If you read my post you can see that i never said you didnt build my patio. I said we got our new patio built by coachworks. I have a recipt and pictures of 2 patios we got built in Rocklin by coachworks. I wish i had recorded the call so i can show all of you.

If you read my post you can see that i never said you didnt build my patio. I said we got our new patio built by coachworks. I have a recipt and pictures of 2 patios we got built in Rocklin by coachworks

I believe in the first amendment, The right to free speech, Unfortunately anyone with a computer can get on line and slander someone with out being truthful or with any regard for the reputation and hard work of individuals such as myself. The author of this complaint in my opinion clearly was not truthful in his complaint. he states I installed a patio cover at his fathers house and there was chipped paint he goes on to say he called 10 to 15 times, He did not . He says He called me a couple of weeks ago. I talked to him 5 months ago and dropped off the paint at that time. He admits that I did in fact install his patio cover in his rebuttal by saying his dogs were in the yard when we were there. This is true his family did not put their dogs away while we were working causing us to constantly keep a eye out that the friendly one would not get out and run off and the skittish one would not bite us. At the end of his original fabrication He says Coachwork installed his patio cover. Untrue He admits I did, I can not prove that this young man threatened me anymore then he can prove I used foul language because we were talking on cell phones. I can and will how- ever post pictures on this site taken on 1/28/10 showing the large dogs and the only patio cover at this location.
It all comes down to character, I have installed more then 2000 patio covers in the last 11 years, we have always did our utmost to perform for our customers in a professional, courteous and respectful manner. It would be up to you the consumer to decide after reading of this entire listing both sides weather this person is untruthful and vindictive or not. I am sending this young man's father a letter requesting this matter to be rectified in the hope it will avoid litigation. I worked very hard all my life to build a good reputation not to have it damaged by this type of behavior.

Wow, I never threatned anyone, he asked me if i was threatning him and i said no. And that is a lie that he did not use that language with me, he told me on the phone to shove the paint can up my a*s. I encourage everyone to take their business elsewhere. He claimed he didn't go in the back because of 2 large dogs, when he came to build the patio he got in the back himeself and i wasn't even at my house. By the way he told me he would make an appointment to come to my house when i was there, instead he just went in without informing me. Again if you guys still want to do business with him, go ahead, This is just a warning.

This report is false, It is the result of a threat I received on 1/27/10 from the son of one of my customers.
To start off I have yet to date received any complaints or calls from my customer.
Spring of 09 after meeting with the father of this young man on four different occasions we signed a contract to install a patio cover, As allowed by law I received a 10% deposit
to not only install this patio cover but to also install 37' of gutter on another part of the house. I scheduled this work and ordered all of the material. The day before installation of the patio cover , the son ( author of this complaint ) called and asked to cancel his fathers contract. They had found another company to do the job cheaper I explained to him first it should be his father calling me, and let him know the three business days to cancel and get his deposit back had passed. once his fathers material had been ordered and cut there were manufactures fees that would have to be paid. The son asked if I would install the gutter only for the deposit. Again I explained the reason for the deposit and added I agreed to install the gutter at cost to sign the patio cover. i again requested to talk to the father, The son stated he would have him call me.
The next phone call I received again was from the son telling me to proceed with the work. I rescheduled the job for the next week and installed all that was agreed upon.
The father met with me at the completion of the work and paid me in full.
Sometime later The son again called and said there was a scratch on one of the posts.
I went by to take a look no one was home and there were two very large dogs in the yard barking, i was not able to get in. After a couple of more failed attempts to access this yard I agreed to leave a can of paint on the porch. Several more months have gone by and again this young man called on the 27th. of Jan. 2010 I explained to him I left the paint as agreed and could not afford to keep coming back and not be able to get in the yard. This young man became angry and abusive I explained to him I had a contract with his father and would like him to call me. At this point the son began to threaten to get me. He said I could not leave paint or send anyone else. He said I had to come paint this scratch or else! Today I went to this customers house to paint this scratch. I armed myself with pepper spray in case one of these dogs attacked me.
I had a witness take pictures of the scratch as well as the plywood makeshift dog house built underneath this cover. It is truly sad this young man would slander and defame me and my company. I not only never argue with my customers I never would argue with one of there children or use the type of foul language this kid claims. I have as I said never received a call from my customer nor have I received a request for service as outlined in the written warranty provided to my customer.
Lastly We built the patio cover at this house. not Coachworks as the kid claims. I have a contract, pictures and a copy of the check. I will try to contact the father and give him a copy of this complaint. It is my greatest wish for this young man to admit he was angry and was untruthful. I hope his father explains to him it is not only unlawful but is very hurtful to make false accusations against us.