RJ's Construction

Contracted with RJ's Construction (Kip Ryan Lambdin), Richmond/Berea, KY. in Oct 2008 to build a 28x32 detached garage. The contract states he was to furnish material, labor, and permits. He got the permit, just didn't call for the inspections. 8 months later May 2009 he "finished". During the ordeal, he failed to pay the lumber company for the materials causing them to have a lein attached to my home, because it took him so long to complete the build I was fortunate to still have the second half of the money I still owed him. When I confronted him with the attachment orders he said he appologized for it but wasn't sorry (his words). During the 8 months he rarely was on site, and most times when someone was there it was usually only one worker. Two weeks and more would pass at times when no one was there working. At first I held my tounge because we were having bad weather, but even during the good days no one showed up. I was constantly calling and emailing to get them there. Finally in May 2009 after pointing out that the rafters (supposed to be trusses) were to be clear span, and the 2x6 beam he had running down the center of the building supported by 2x4 column's had to be removed, he strengthened the lower cord at the splice at my insistance, at that time he said it would support 30 psf. Fast forward to Nov 2009. I sold the house and moved to TX. Then in Jun 2010 I received a letter from a lawyer the new owner had retained stating that the county code people left a notice that the building had not had a framing or electrical inspection and it could not be used until an occupancy certificate was issued. The inspectors sited the rafters and the fact that #10 screws were used to anchor the bottom plates instead of 1/2 in bolts as required were not to code. According to the estimate the lawyer sent with the letter it is going to cost me 15,500.00 to make this garage pass code. The estimate called for complete removal of everything from the ceiling up. To be replaced with trusses, then rebuilt. I paid Kip 22,000.00 when he built it less than a year earlier. He refuses to answer my calls and emails still. He also, refused to sign for mailings from the Kentucky, BBB. Another fellow in Berea (James), after hearing of my issue filed a similar complaint on his Yahhoo business website and has taken leagal action in civil court, after being defrauded on a deck RJ's was building. All I can say is BEWARE, in my opinion this man does shoddy work and will take advantage at any opportunity.. Contact me if you want the full horror story.. Photo's show build that will not pass code. Note, the span was 32 feet on the rafters.