Empirestatehomerepairs.com Reports & Reviews (1)
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SCAMPULSE
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SCAMPULSE
If you know any contact information for Empirestatehomerepairs.com, help other victims by adding it!
Scammer's website empirestatehomerepairs.com
Scammer's address Holbrook, NY 11741, USA
Scammer's email [email protected]
Country United States
Victim Location NY 11731, USA
Type of a scam Home Improvement
They were persistent in asking questions such as "How many people live in the home? Just me, just me and my wife? They also asked to take a look inside the home. (A request that I repeatedly denied. Also, was suspicious because I thought their questions were just a little too personal.) Again, I reiterated that I had no money for any repairs. Again, they insisted on taking a look so they could give me a quote.
Eventually said: OK, take a look. They said they'd knock on the door when ready. They told me the repairs would cost approx. $8,700 or more. They would have their uncle, the owner, come by and speak with me. At this point, I noticed that they had removed the majority of the approximately 5-year-old siding on the right side of my home. The siding was ripped, torn, and lying on the ground.
I immediately called a local siding company, Perfect Pitch Roofing (and Siding). He warned me that 1) the Siding is removed and installed "top-down", and 2) what happens if the siding is no longer made/available? (which it is, being recently installed). He said to have them put it back but was doubtful that they could.
Later that afternoon the "Uncle" and his partner arrived. I told them that I had been unemployed and couldn’t afford any work. They said the job would be $12,700. Again, I said I couldn't afford it. Several times they said, "That’s OK, we trust you, just pay us when you can." (They said that numerous times.) I replied that I don't work that way. I wouldn’t agree to have work done that I can't pay for, nor do I know when or how I could pay for it. He said, let me work on the numbers. I'll give you a 'Senior's discount" and hopefully I'll get future business from the sign I'll put on your front lawn. They placed 2 red cones in front of my home, gave me a phone number (as I asked) and left.
The next day (Jan 2) he emailed me (I gave him an email address that I use for unwanted emails) a quote for $10,800. (not a formal company quote, more like a simple email). I said that I was suspicious (although I didn't use that exact word) that out of the 5 persons who had been to my home, not one had a business card (and neither of their 2 pickups had a company name on them). So he came by and dropped off a mailer. Between the phone number they furnished and the mailer card, I was able to piece together the company. Unknown to them, I also took pictures of the 2 owners and their truck (with plates).
Again, they said, "We trust you. Pay us when you can".
The next day, Wednesday, Jan 3, I called and explained that I couldn’t afford it. I asked them to come and cover the front of my now-naked home, to protect it from any impending rain and/or snow. The person I spoke with, the worker who initially came to my door (I recognized his voice) said he understood. He explained that he was currently with a home inspector at the "nearby job they were on" and he would come by. I told him that I had a doctor’s appointment that evening and he assured me he'd come by "way before 5:00”. Of course, he never came by.
I called and left a follow-up voicemail message on the morning of Saturday, Jan 6. Never heard from anyone since. The red cones are still in front of my home.
The job was too small for Perfect Pitch. I did contact a local, referred contracting company "Best Enterprises". On Monday, Jan. 8, they came to my home to inspect Their quote to redo the front of the house where they tore down the siding was $5,000. Less than half what Empire wanted for the same work. Best Enterprises furnished me with a formal Proposal on Wednesday, Jan. 10. They are licensed and have a location nearby. They also explained that the remaining siding must be completely removed because installation is done "top-down". They would also be installing "new" siding since the removed siding had been ripped, torn, and damaged.
My reason for not filing this sooner was for the following. As my wife and I went outside to inspect the damage, I smelled gas and heard a hiss. Indeed, National Grid said I had a leak in the front of my meter. (I'm not claiming causation). But they shut the gas off. Waiting more than a week, without any heat or hot water.
I believe the scam is essentially this. Come by, and convince the senior homeowner to grant a look. Then remove the siding and pressure the homeowner into paying the quoted price which is more than double what the work is worth. It puts the homeowner, a senior, in a position of paying “extortion” to get their home repaired before the snow and winter set in. If not, they simply disappear. I know that their phone forwards to their cell so there is no excuse to simply disappear. Also, “a look” means “a look”. Not to remove 75% of the siding. Certainly not without the owner’s consent or knowledge. From the back of the home, where my bedroom is, you certainly would never have heard it.
Even if they agreed to repair, I would never trust them now to do a proper job. My only alternative is to hire a reputable company to repair the front of my home and sue them for reimbursement. My reason for reporting this to the ScamPulse.com is to warn other homeowners, particularly vulnerable seniors, of this costly scam.