S&M Construction / Roofing: Dishonorable and Incompetent Baldwin Park California

In late 2007, I contacted S&M (CA License 891070 and phone 626-287-3806 or 888.273.1569..they change their numbers often), a father (Steve Mitchell Sr.), son (Steve Mitchell Jr.) & wife (Elva Mitchell) co, that specializes in roofing. Also needing gutters, exterior paint, and siding, I let S&M act as general contractor. I should not have done so. Roofing is their core competency. The siding was OK, but the detail work was not done with good craftsmanship.

Old gutters were ripped out and big noticeable holes were left in the stucco. I asked S&M to address. They claimed it's not their issue. Exterior painting was done adequately with one exception. Four heavy, metal security doors were painted wrong,with paint filling in the mesh areas. The result is a horrible, ruined look. I've tried to get them to fix these problems (which even they acknowledge are problems), but the main guy (the son) won't reply.

He set an appointment to visit and re-do, then pulled a no-show no-call. A word of advice: make sure you pay in increments and per milestones in your project, so as to have some fallback. Once your check clears, it's tough to get the S&Ms on the phone and even tougher to get them to come back to address problems.

UPDATE on 12/20/07: It's gone from bad to worse. On 12/18, LA had rain showers, causing a catastoprhic, huge leak in my home. Water ran like a waterfall thru my light fixture in the den, as well as other spots. Tremendous damage: walls, ceiling, attic, laptop, printer, desk, personal memorabilia, etc..all water damaged. It was hard to get S&M on the phone that night, despite emergency phone calls.

They sent someone over the next morning to patch the roof that their repair guy admitted was done poorly, but the patch is just a band-aid fix. Then, they were impossible to reach via phone to address permanent roof fix and to address all the structural and personal property damage. The contractor nightmares you hear of.I lived it, and it's name is S&M Construction (or S&M Roofing or whatever they next change their name to). Their license number is 891070.

UPDATE on May 29, 2008: The CA State License Board held binding arbitration to resolve the dispute. I won. Of $13,550 under original contract, I was awarded $7305. S&M must pay by June 29th, or the state will revoke their license. I sent S&M e-mails. No reply. I've tried faxing. Disconnected. They're running. I'm sure it's not their first time, and won't be their last.

UPDATE July 8, 2008: Their license has been REVOKED by the CA State License Board for failing to pay the court-ordered judgment to me by June 29th.

Patrick
Los Angeles, California
U.S.A.