We signed a contract with Royal to replace siding on our house in Burke, the original siding having been damaged by a hailstorm in April 1999. The workmanship was extremely poor and we requested that a state inspector take a look at the work done.
He reported that the siding was not put on according to manufacturers instruction and informed the contractor, Royal Roofing, to redo the house.
Royal Roofing did agree to redo the whole house (we live in a duplex) and hired an individual to start on our house about a month ago. Although it looked like the siding was put on correctly, it was not completed and we still had issues with some of the new work. The siding was removed and replaced on the front and side of the house but not the back -- only some minor problems were fixed when we had specifically requested that the whole house be redone.
We contacted the owner of the company when we realized that the worker he had hired was not going to return. It took the owner about a week to get back in touch with us and then another 10 days before he calls again to say that he will be completing the house. In the meantime, we found out that the contract we had signed did not have a clause that stated we had the right of cancellation after 3 days of signing the contract -- apparently a violation of the Virginia Consumer Act (or something like that).
We contacted several consumer offices who said that the contract was therefore null and void. We were so upset with all the problems we have endured with Royal Roofing, including damage in our house, which they have not repaired, that we decided to cancel the contract and told the company that we were not going to pay.
The owner then said he demanded his money and would put a lien on our house. He called us again yesterday demanding the same thing. As far as we are concerned we are not satisfied with the work done and do not want to pay him. The day after my husband signed the contract, a representative of Royal Roofing suggested that we and our neighbor commit fraud by signing another contract which would be presented to the insurance company. Therefore, we would have had two contracts -- one original with the amount the company was going to charge us and another one with a higher amount which would be presented to the insurance companies for payment. We have filed a complain to the government office in Fairfax and one in Richmond.
My husband has spent numerous hours on the telephone trying to speak to various organizations about our problem. We are both very upset with our situation. This is our house, we have to live here, and we want it to be in perfect condition.
We have not yet paid for the roof and siding but apparently we now have a lien against our house.
Since a lien has already been entered, Esther urgently needs to consult with a local attorney.
