- Report: #1156054
Complaint Review: Reel Construction - Sparks, Nevada
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Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Reel Construction
72 E. Freeport Blvd, Sparks,, 89431 Nevada, USA
Phone:
775-359-0700
Web:
http://www.reelconstructioncompany.com/
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
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Reel Construction Unprofessional, poor workmanship, very slow and never finished the job Sparks, Nevada
We had a fire in a home we are purchasing in December of 2011. The owner of Reel, Joe came out and was handed the 75k remodel job by a just as lame insurance company. We were told at the time it should be a 3-4 month process and that we would need to find another place to live.
After about 7 months I inquired as to a completion date so we could give proper notice to the rental agency and make out other preparations. I was told at the time that the county had held them up throughout the process but that they would be definately be done by August 15th. We gave notice to be out by August 25th. A day or so pror to vacating we were told it would be closer to Sept 1st before they would be done and could allow us to reside in the home. We were able to get 3 more days stay but the rental company had rented out our unit and needed to get ready for Sept 1.
We ended up moving our stuff into the garage that was detached from the house and my kids had to find places to stay with friends while I camped out on the grounds. 3 weeks later we were finally allowed to move back in.
There were still several minor items that needed to be completed. At first they were accomdating but once the insurance company paid most of their invoice they did not return to complete the work. They left a mess in he yard and drive that ended up puncturing 2 of our tires and took hours to clean up. They left sizable gaps in siding that led to 2 rattlesnakes gaining access to our patio room this spring. They left a lot of painting and cauliking unfinished. They took it upon themselves to remove a 220 outlet from the elecric panel we paid to have installed and would not do anything about it when we asked for it to be remedied. They used the cheapest materials they could and we've had to repair several areas of sheetrock and door jambs that were poorly installed. There are other minor issues that were not corrected.
To be fair, they were overall pleasant people to deal with and offered a few minor concessions; replaced a broken window glass and offered a replacement shower head that the insurance company would not approve. The workmanship was not that big of an issue but the timeliness and not completing the work was a real disappointment. I'm submitting this report in effort to warn other people not for my own benefit.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Reel Construction
Sparks,Nevada,
USA
Response
#2REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, September 29, 2015
To clarify, the writer of the review was not the owner of the house when the fire started (in the enclosed patio; if I remember correctly, it was due to improperly stored ashes from the fireplace), and we were not “handed” the job by the insurance company; we were only one of the contractors that bid on the restoration, and were hired directly by the owner. The property in question is located on the Mount Rose highway and was built in the 1960s, with multiple additions and changes over the years. Most if not all of these “improvements” were made without a building permit, and resulted in a disjointed floor plan with an unsafe electrical wiring system.
If he, as the tenant of this property, had carried renters insurance, he would have been reimbursed for his extended living expenses (such as rent for another property and moving costs) while this one was being repaired. We sympathize with him for his troubles and the delays, but unfortunately our obligation was only to the owner. That being said, we did, as we always do, try to accommodate him as best as possible, as we realize how devastating a loss of this magnitude can be.
True, we originally thought it would be a 4 month process, but as any other restoration contractor can attest, there are multiple issues out of one’s control, including but not limited to the permit process, new building code/upgrade requirements, and working around a tenant. After the tenant removed part of his belongings, the asbestos abatement was performed (by others), and then we waited until he could remove the remaining contents. Once we had the inspection for our demolition permit, numerous upgrades were required that had nothing to do with the original scope of work, including but not limited to: full drawings showing the floor plan, plot plan, set-backs and elevations; structural upgrades including epoxying hold downs into the existing stem wall; complete rewiring of the house, including upgrading the electrical panel and yes, removing the illegal 220 the tenant had installed; and upgrading the insulation in the walls and ceiling to include a combination of spray foam and batts to meet current energy requirements. After waiting three weeks to get the structural engineering, we applied for the building permit, which was held up for an extended period of time at the Washoe County Building permit office. These delays, added requirements, multiple inspections and minor changes at the owner’s request lengthened the repair time substantially.
Regarding the use of “cheap” materials---insurance companies only owe to replace like kind and quality, and our scope reflected that. Customers have the prerogative to “pay out of pocket” to upgrade any materials they wish----however, the owner of this property chose not to do so. This property was in rough condition before we started, with missing trim, unpainted areas, multiple illegal electrical splices and infractions, carpet scraps on the floor instead of pad and carpeting, the basement improperly used as a bedroom, and old acoustic tiles on the living room ceiling among other issues. The tenant now lives in a house that has been improved drastically from pre-loss condition, with upgraded windows, higher energy efficiency, a safe electrical system, actual siding in lieu of the translucent plastic corrugated roofing panels used on the porch walls, and everything cleaned and painted. It has been inspected thoroughly by building department multiple times and received a certificate of occupancy; we walked the property with the owner, completed his minor “punch list”, and received his sign-off for completion. At the tenant’s request (and acknowledgement), we returned again to do more painting and touch-ups; we have fulfilled our contract and are proud of the finished product.
We wish the writer well, and hope he has completed his purchase of the property.
