This Lansing area handyman is rated 1.5 from 1 review with a TrustRank of 1.2. Services offered include handyman work. Read their reviews, ask about license and insurance information, and request a quote.
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We hired Ernest Crosby (High Country Home Improvements) to install a new, metal roof on our house in October 2020. He had some good reviews online, gave us a fair price, and was available immediately, whereas other roofers said it would be weeks or months before they could start. Since we had an active leak, we thought sooner would be better. We were told the job would take 2 days, or three at the most, as our house is pretty small. Ernest said he would be here to install the roof, that he had experience doing so, and that he had a crew of workers that would help him. We paid half the money up front so the metal could be special ordered.
The issues began on the first day of work when the crew did not arrive at 8:30 AM as promised, but instead came around 1:30 PM. This happened frequently, and when we asked Ernest he said they were busy at other jobs. We were told our roof would be a priority because it had an active leak, but that was not the case.
Most days, Ernest was not here to supervise the crew. Several mistakes were made during his absence. For instance, a rotten piece of plywood was exposed, but instead of replacing it, Ernest’s crew installed metal on top of it. We had to point this out and ask that the metal be removed and the rotten wood be replaced. Our concerns grew when we observed jaggedly cut metal, uneven edges, buckling metal, popped-up seams, and the absence of any sealant so we let Ernest know we’d be having the roof inspected after it was completed.
When the roof was nearly complete we were told that the metal company had not delivered all of the pieces and more metal would have to be ordered so the job could be finished. We are not sure why this wasn’t realized sooner as Ernest was here when the metal was delivered and he helped unload all the materials. The roof was finally completed after two weeks. We wanted to wait until the inspection was completed before making the final payment, but Ernest and his wife insisted we pay promptly, and so we did.
The first time it rained our roof leaked. The water came down through the boot (which wasn’t sealed), into the attic, and all the way down the wall into the basement. Our insulation and sheetrock were soaked and the ceiling and wall were stained. We had Ernest come out and seal around the boot that afternoon. He also dried up the water in the attic and said he’d be back to replace the insulation after it had a few days to dry, but he did not.
The licensed inspector came the next day and found additional problems. First and foremost, the metal manufacturer’s installation guidelines had not been followed. There was no bug/water barrier installed at the edge of the roof, the screws were spaced incorrectly (increasing the risk that strong winds could damage or completely blow off the metal), no sealant was used, the cap was not correctly installed, and there were several locations where water intrusion was likely (such as the valley and the cracked washers where screws were over-tightened).
We have emailed Ernest multiple times asking that he return and seal the boot (which continued to leak) and repair the issues addressed in the roof inspection, but he insists that he installed a good roof. Our last email has gone unanswered for over three weeks now.
Good afternoon Kathy,
We have responded to this review once already (as well as to your friends you had commenting) where you blocked us from further responding (on Facebook), and you will probably try to do that again here once you see our response.
Once again, we will tell you and everyone else... we did not leave your roof in the condition you have shown. Your job was put ahead of several others. We did have to finish the jobs we were currently working on before you contacted us - as would any other handyman or contractor in our area. Your roof was installed properly. We have email correspondence from the metal manufacturer to validate this.
You began yelling about suing us the day metal began to be put down on your roof. Furthermore, after installation, you sent text messages stating you wanted your roof redone because it is not what you wanted. You wanted a standing seam roof instead of the tuff rib roof we installed, which was much more pricey and we explained all of this to you. Although, you chose the roof type and color and did not stop us once we began installing nor once the metal was delivered - which was days before work began and you had inspected. You were also unhappy with how the flashing had to be placed and wanted it removed - which is not recommended. We told you we could do that, but it would definitely leak and we would need your signature freeing us of any damages caused by removal of the flashing before we would remove it. You previously had a shingle roof and the flashing was hidden, which we explained to you several times before.
We cannot control that the metal manufacturer left out pieces that were needed. We drove over to pick those pieces up (which was over an hour away) instead of waiting several days for them to be delivered which we could have done. Timeframe (as stated in our contracts) may have to be extended for various reasons such as; weather, material supply, etc. Payment is due at job completion - this is also stated in the contract you signed. We also informed you that leaks tend to happen around the pipe boots after new roof installation, this is also for numerous reasons. When you informed us of the leak, we came immediately (within 2 hours if I am not mistaken without checking my notes), and we repaired your leak promptly. You then had an inspector come out to check the roof, who put all of his body weight on the same boot we repaired and you complain of a leaks again. It is not our responsibility to repair damages caused by someone else. Per your own words via emails received from you, you have had several people on the roof since installation and the pipe boot repair. Again, we have photos from the day we finished as well as from the day we came to repair your leaking pipe boot - all of which validate the proper installation. We have also informed you that we are in communication with an attorney to better assist us all in this matter. Please be careful of how you portray our business so that no legal lines are crossed (i.e. defamation of character). Kathy, we did everything properly to install your metal roof and implying that we did not is not right. Again, as we have said in our previous responses, we wish you well in your future endeavors.
High Country Home Improvements has a TrustRank of 1.2. The average TrustRank for other businesses providing similar services in Lansing and the surrounding areas is 1.2. For detailed information on how TrustRank is calculated, click here.
The following elements are used to calculate TrustRank:
Customer Reviews | Last 12 Months | All Time |
---|---|---|
Total Received | 0 | 1 |
Approved | 0 | 1 |
Unverified | 0 | 0 |
Suspicious | 0 | 0 |
Overall Rating | 1.5/5 |
Complaints Received | Last 12 Months | Last 3 Years |
---|---|---|
Suppliers & Creditors | 0 | 0 |
Employees & Sub-Contractors | 0 | 0 |
Transparency | |
---|---|
Posted License Information | Services listed by High Country Home Improvements may not require a Trade License. Check local laws to confirm license requirements before hiring. |
Posted Liability Insurance | Not yet provided |
Posted Workers Compensation | Not yet provided |
Company Website | No |
Social Media Profiles | Not yet provided |
Endorsed by Peers | Not yet endorsed |
In Business Since | |
Member of TrustedPros Since | 2020 |
TrustedPros does not validate certain information provided by contractors and vendors in conjunction with the creation or maintenance of their profile and we cannot endorse or guarantee the performance of any contractor. TrustRanks are provided for informational purposes only. We urge you to use the TrustRank in conjunction with the tips provided in our Hiring Guide to maximize the probability of hiring the best professional for you project.
Handyman Services
This Lansing area handyman is rated 1.5 from 1 review with a TrustRank of 1.2. Services offered include handyman work. Read their reviews, ask about license and insurance information, and request a quote.
Main contact(s): | Jessica Crosby |
Listed with TrustedPros since: | 2020 |
Residential work: | Yes |
Commercial work: | Yes |
Warranty | Warranty details not yet provided |
Accepts credit cards: | Yes |
Year established: | |
Offers financing: | Yes |
24 Hour emergency service: | Yes |
Legal structure: | |
Licensing information: | Services listed by High Country Home Improvements may not require a Trade License. Check local laws to confirm license requirements before hiring. |
Insurance information: | Contact High Country Home Improvements to request insurance details. |
Check local laws pertaining to license requirements and verify license and insurance details provided by the contractor prior to hiring.