Fencing subcontractors put lien on Minneapolis home
Published on November 1, 2009
COMPLAINT: Kyle Engebretson, Plymouth, Minn.
"I hired Alpine Fence LLC to install a cedar-capped rail fence. The fence was built as discussed and looks wonderful, but my experience after completion causes me to not recommend them.
"Alpine did not disclose prior to completing the project that they used subcontractors. I was later notified by the subcontractors that Alpine Fence had not paid them and the subcontractors were pursuing a lien against my property."
DESIRED RESOLUTION: "I wish the contractor would meet his financial obligations for my project and the subcontractors would stop the lien."
RESPONSE: Chad Thompson, owner, Alpine Fence LLC
"We apologize for any inconvenience this customer has experienced. We are investigating the installer in question for his questionable billing practices.
"We pointed out to the client that the over billing he himself experienced, which is under investigation, is the reason why the installer has not been paid.
"We have agreed to pay the installer in full once the investigation is complete, but the installer is suspended until the investigation is complete."
STATUS: Resolved
COMPLAINT: Linda Varro, St. Paul, Minn.
"I hired A & A Millwork Inc. to install a new front storm door and wooden front entry door. It was a fairly complicated project on an older home. It was critical that the entry door match the woodwork.
"Mark Aune of A & A Millwork instructed me to take an oak board and a piece of veneer from the old door to a specific paint store to buy stain, varnish and supplies that A & A Millwork would use to stain the door.
"When they installed the entry door, it was completely the wrong color. It was light oak and my home is dark mahogany. Mark told me that the paint store must have given me the wrong stain. The paint store told me that there was either not enough coats, or two coats applied improperly.
"Mark refused to acknowledge that the paint store sold me the correct stain, and refused to take responsibility. Our door is still not done to our satisfaction."
DESIRED RESOLUTION: "I want A & A Millwork to sand or strip the door and restain it to the color I originally selected and apply three coats of marine spar varnish as originally agreed. I will agree to pay the original contract fee of $349.05 upon satisfactory completion."
STATUS: Penalty Box