ComplaintsforApex Chimney Repairs, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  01/04/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On September 17, 2022, I entered into a contract with *************************, dba Apex Chimney Repairs, for the installation of a previously purchased woodstove and the construction of a chimney for this appliance, at a cost of $2,600.00. This part of the contract was rescinded by mutual agreement after **************** indicated that the cost of this work would likely need to be adjusted upward.On October 17, 2022, I paid **************** by check in the amount of $2,933.52. This included the $2,600.00 for the installation of the woodstove and the construction of the chimney, plus another $333.52 that he billed me for materials that he claimed to have used in completing these tasks. On November 2, 2022, I made a final payment to **************** by check in the amount of $750.00 for a chimney cleaning station. **************** represented at this time that the project was completed.On November 30, 2022, two 18 sections of stainless-steel chimney pipe and the stainless-steel rain cap separated from the chimney and fell to the ground. One section of chimney pipe and the rain cap were damaged to the point that they could not be re-used and had to be replaced. Following this event, I consulted the Installation Manual and discovered that the installation of Locking Bands between chimney sections was recommended by the manufacturer. **************** told me that he also discovered this information, following the failure of the chimney.**************** indicated that he would come fix the chimney at the beginning of the week of December 19, 2022. On December 20, 2022, I received an email from **************** stating that he would schedule some time to stop back over when it's safer to be up on the ladders and saying that he would be in touch. He has not been in touch and has not corrected the chimney, leaving me unable to use my new appliance.I spent a total of $2,723.91 on parts and materials. $122.28 of this amount was spent replacing components that were destroyed when the chimney collapsed.

  Business response

  01/30/2023

  Hello - I'm *** at Apex Chimney - **************** - is a hard man to please - at 81 he cannot climb ladders to do stove pipe cleaning but insisted we find a way he could do it from the ground - a ground level cleaning station was constructed - He purchased the 600 lb stove and all the chimney parts - I was not familiar with the manufacturer and had no paperwork for installation - I told him the section did not lock together when I put them together - only when the wind blew down the top 2 section did he say they needed locking collars - I arrived to put up the new sections and he said he had ordered the locking collars - could I return another time to put it together - we have had several storm since so it was not safe to go up that high - I intend to go back as some snow melts to finish

  Customer response

  01/30/2023

   
  Complaint: 18651213
  
  I am rejecting this response because: **************** is either mistaken or being untruthful concerning the installation manual for the chimney parts that he installed. This manual was provided, and I can only assume that he either chose not to read it or did not understand it. Once the chimney collapsed, I read the manual and saw that locking collars were recommended. **************** is flat-out lying when he says that he told me the chimney sections did not lock together. In fact, he expressed no concern whatsoever in regard to this issue. After the chimney collapsed, I told him that I thought he should have read the manual before attempting the installation. His excuses concerning the weather are nothing short of ridiculous (I referred you to the email that I sent him concerning the mild weather days when he did not appear).  I have since had the chimney correctly installed and I would like him to pay for this service and the parts that needed to be replaced because of his poor workmanship.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

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