Complaint Review: John Miller - More Than Remodeling

In June 2006, we contracted John Miller, trading as More Than Remodeling, Andover, New Jersey, to install siding on my house. Initially he seemed credible, he was a member of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce and sold what I believe to be a good product.

Throughout the project, Mr. Miller came to me several times indicating that he would have to adjust our contract (upward, of course) because of situations that "were not obvious" to him during his initial quote or out of his control. As a single person with no house siding knowledge, I mistakenly put my trust in him and his judgement and authorized the adjustments. My home is approximately 2,200 sq. feet and the project ended up costing over $26,000.

On the very last day of the project, Mr. Miller's son (the job foreman) informed me that this would be their last job as they had no additional work and were closing the doors to their business. When asked what I should do if I needed them to return for any reason, he assured me they would make themselves available ~ just contact his father.

Approximately one month after the job was completed, a neighbor came to my house with a piece of my siding that had blown into his yard. Over the next several weeks I contacted Mr. Miller several times, talking to him once and then leaving several messages thereafter. I was initially told that he would have his son contact me, but I heard nothing. The missing siding was in the front of the house and unsightly, so I hired another contractor to replace it at an additional cost.

I finally found Mr. Miller's son's e-mail address among my paperwork and he responded and apologized, saying his father had not given him any of my messages. He came to my house to look at the repair and said that if anything further happened, to again contact his father.

Over the next several months, three more pieces of siding blew off, one damaged beyond use. I tried contacting Mr. Miller but his phone was now disconnected. I sent his son e-mails but got no responses. Again, I hired my own contractor to fix the problems. I spent nearly an additional $1,000 to hire contractors during the fall and winter months to make the necessary repairs.

Finally, one Friday night a piece of flashing came loose and was dangling from the roof area, hitting up against my house and making a loud banging noise. Not only was I frustrated that once again I had a siding problem obviously caused from inferior workmanship, but I also feared that if the piece came off, it could hit someone or something and cause damage, subjecting me to a potential liability suit.

I searched through my papers and came across a cell phone number for Mr. Miller and called it. He was rude and obnoxious as he told me that he was out of business and I had no business calling him as there was nothing he could do to help me. He said he was in debt over $125,000 and what did I expect him to do. I was shocked and told him that I had spent a significant amount of money on this project and he promised they would stand behind their work ~ we had sealed the deal with a handshake, and I had taken him at his word. He said his wife had told him to change his cell phone number so that he wouldn't receive calls from "people like me." This statement alone led me to believe I was not the only dissatisfied customer!

I ended the conversation knowing I had little recourse since More Than Remodeling was an LLC (limited partnership) and it was now out of business and, as they say, you can't get money out of a stone. And then the next morning Mr. Miller called my home at 8:30 a.m. to tell me that I had some nerve contacting him on a Friday evening, expecting that he would do anything ~ that no contractor in his right mind would do anything on a Friday night.

I told him I agreed "under normal circumstances," but this was far from the norm, as my siding kept coming off, and he had not been responsive. And in a neighborhood where all the houses have vinyl siding, mine was the only one with pieces blowing off. I ended the call saying that I could now fully understand why More Than Remodeling was out of business ~ because he, the president/owner, is not trustworthy, is unethical, sleezy, and certainly NOT a man of his word. In simple terms ~ a real loser.

I wish to mention that before my project was complete, Mr. Miller's son had mentioned one day that they might incorporate under a different name as there was an issue with insurance if their company wanted to expand to do roofing jobs. I did not understand this and gave it little thought, but in hindsight, I am fearful that Mr. Miller has, or will, open a business under a different name and end up swindling other customers as he did me.

I warn anyone who is contemplating doing business with John Miller of Andover, NJ, to please do your homework, and then run as fast as you can in the opposite direction. He comes across as a friendly, decent man but he is obviously anything but. he is not a man of integrity and cannot be trusted. And as a footnote, I have since had two siding contractors give me their opinions of the job and any corrections that they feel should be made to prevent further incidents and both have advised me that (1) the siding was installed incorrectly in a number of areas and (2) I was grossly overcharged for the work and product. I might note at this point too, that I know it is "consumer beware," no one forced me to hire this company ~ but perhaps my experience can prevent someone else from experiencing the stress, frustration and waste of money that I have experienced.

I recently contacted the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce to see if there is any way I can file a complaint with them and surprisingly, as I began to explain my case and BEFORE I had a chance to mention any names, the person I spoke to said, "You wouldn't happen to be talking about More Than Remodeling, would you?" Coincidence?

Sharon
Sussex, New Jersey
U.S.A.