Statcomm Inc., Richard Schwank, Vice President - Operations While repairing fire sprinklers at my home, the crew damaged my ceiling (2 large holes, 10''x10'', sheet rock gone, fiber glass exposed), and Sr. Mgt refused refused to take any responsibility for repairs. It will cost me $1K+ to fix myself. Mountain View California

My HOA hired Statcomm Inc. to perform the fire sprinkler testing and inspection at our subdivision.

Tcrew of two workers came to my home where they spent more than 5 hours working on my sprinkler system. The leader mentioned that it was his 2nd day with Statcomm. The other crew member looked like he was in his early 20s. 

Without any notification or warning, the crew cut two large holes in my ceiling (aproximatelly 10'' x 10''). They disposed the sheet rock (that could have been used later to cover these holes) and left the glass fiber exposed.

It was only when the crew was leaving, I noticed the dmages, and asked what had happened. They said they had no other way to fix the sprinklers but to open the ceiling around the sprinkler heads. The leader assured me that I should not worry, because my HOA would later fix these damages. When I contacted the HOA, they said this was not their responsibility. I then asked that they contacted the Statcomm on my behalf to address this matter. I have received two separate replies that Statcomm was not liable, and I should fix and pay for these damages myself. I then requested that my HOA sended me the Contract with Statcomm to examine the liability clause.

To my surprise, the Statcomm included the clause in their contract that stated the following: "Statcomm Inc. is not responsible for any touch up paint, stucco repair, wall patching, texturing, etc. due to installation/relocating devices/replacement of devices."

I then made my last, 2rd attempt to communicate with Statcomm's VP Operations, Richard Schwank directly in hopes that at least a senior management level would understand that taking care of their customers should be the company's priority. Mr. Schwank sent me a lengthy reply with excuses and explanation why Statcomm was not responsible for any damages. His main point was that they had to open the ceiling to avoid further damages due to some problems with my sprinkler system. Of course, this I could never check.

If the Statcomm’s crew had to cut holes in my ceiling to get their job done, they did the right thing, but they should have finished the job by closing the ceiling, or by sending a contractor to finish the job, or by offering financial compensation to me as a homeowner. With what the Statcomm's crew did, it was a job half done. They fixed one thing, but badly damaged the other with no responsibility.

I'd agree that minor paint touch ups should not be a contractor's responsibility, however if a contractor cuts sheet rock and leaves two large holes in my ceiling, they should be responsible for fixing such damages - covering and sealing the holes and not leaving the fiber glass exposed for the residents to breath it in and potentially get lung problems.

I found the Statcomm position unacceptable. Any contractor must be responsible for damages that they cause to a person's home while they perform their work. I, as a home owner would have never signed an Agreement where a contractor has no responsibility for any damages. Unfortunately such an Agreement was signed by my HOA making Statcomm legally not liable.

Having these holes fixed by a contractor will cost me no less than $1,000. This work will require purchasing and installing new sheet rock, patching and hiding the seams, sanding, painting (finding matching paint) and putting (bubble) texture on the new sheet rock area, etc. This task would have been a bit easier if the crew did not through away the sheet rock that they cut out, but they did.

Based on such a term in their Contract the Statcomm's crew can come to a person’s home and do their job as careless and sloppy as they want, yet still walk away without any liability. With such a Contract, a home owner - a consumer is not protected, but Stotcomm made sure to protect itself as a big company. 

I hope that this Report will benefit other homeowners by being more aware and alert of the ways Statsomm's operates! Be aware of this company!

Thank you.