If we could go back, we would choose a different remediation company/contractor.
This review reflects our personal experience over the last year and a half.
For the remediation portion, we were charged $80/hour for employees. We were present during the work and felt the crew appeared inexperienced. The demolition in our bedroom (carpet, trim, and doors) was not fully completed, and we ended up finishing portions ourselves despite having paid for that work.
During the remodel phase, subcontractors were used. We later learned that we were being charged a 20% contractor fee for management. In our experience, there were no scheduled walkthrough inspections outlined in the contract, and oversight did not meet our expectations.
The contract required that insurance funds be paid to him within three days of receipt, regardless of project status. We did not fully understand how insurance allocations were being applied to specific materials and rooms. As a result, he gave us extra invoices for out-of-pocket cost for certain items (such as cabinets, countertops, and flooring) that we later realized may have already been included in insurance payments. We did not receive a clear accounting explaining how those funds were applied.
After paying approximately $30,000 toward a $56,000 remodel (in addition to over $15,000 for remediation), work stopped before completion. We paid him before the insurance money was ever given to us, it took longer than expected to get our insurance check by about a month. Approximately a month after he stopped work he threatened a lien on our home and insulted my husband over text and would never take a person to person call then put him on silent. An inspection arranged through our mortgage company indicated the project was approximately 25% complete at that time.
We requested receipts and documentation for how funds were distributed but did not receive detailed records, he kept saying "Look at the Sedgwick, that is your receipt" but the Sedgwick just broke down per room what was damaged and covered but nothing for the new materials we were picking. Communication became strained, and we were told he would only communicate directly with my husband because I asked him for receipts and he seemed to be upset.
He sued us after we went to our lawyer after his legal threats and insults, our lawyer told us we had the right to fire him and said he had the right to get paid for the work he completed, which the 30k and 15k for the remediation more than covered that. We were willing to just let this be over and he could have kept the excess money just to be done so we could move forward with our house. He refused to let it go and the dispute ultimately went to court in Okanogan County, and due to the signed contract, the ruling was in his favor.
We encourage anyone considering this contractor to carefully review the contract terms, particularly payment structure, inspection provisions, and insurance fund handling. Make sure you fully understand how insurance allocations will be applied and request documentation throughout the project.
This was a very stressful experience for our family, and we hope others proceed cautiously and ask detailed questions before signing. read more