Matt Vestal was polite and seemed competent and knowledgable. Two visits were needed to reach an agreement. The references provided checked out; however, I did not check either the Better Business Bureau or the State of Michigan. There was no firm start date on our contract (a big mistake). The verbal start date was missed by three weeks with an excuse that countertops would not be ready. In retrospect , nearly the entire job could have been done without the countertops. When the job did start, I learned that Vestal had subcontracted the job out. . Here are the things that I missed. The Better Business Bureau had two dozens complaints on Vestal. The State of Michigan had two open formal investigations. Nobody even thinks of termination of a contract. The termination clause in the Vestal contract is 33% of the total value of the project. THATS NOT 33% OF YOUR DEPOSIT. ITS 2/3 OF YOUR DEPOSIT. My 1/3 of the deposit was promptly refunded. Prior to our termination, Matt Vestal did cooperate in connecting me with his cabinet supplier in Chicago. I drove to Chicago and picked up my own cabinets. Luckily, I had a minivan that I could drive the 100 plus miles. When I informed the subcontractor, he informed me that would no longer work for Vestal. Matt Vestal was ready, willing and able to complete the job however it was now December with my children coming for Christmas and no kitchen. I formally terminated our agreement. Luckily the foundation work done by Vestal's subcontractor was first rate. Luckily I had sufficient money, credit and friends to finish the job on December 22 with work still going on as I drove to OHare to pick up my children. The kitchen was done by Christmas.
Description of Work: Matt Vestal took measurements and was to provide a new kitchen on a completely empty room with bare studs with wiring installed by me. Work was to have started on October 1, 2011 but did not start until three weeks later.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
4.0
value
3.0
professionalism
3.0
responsiveness
2.0
punctuality
2.0
$20,000
philip B.
03/2013
1.0
roofing, home remodeling
+ 0 more
horrible. dont use them ever.
Description of Work: Remodeled two bathrooms. The work was started and then left in unsatisfactory condition. Won small claims suit and never received full payment.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
1.0
value
3.0
professionalism
1.0
responsiveness
1.0
punctuality
1.0
$11,000
Kelly K.
12/2012
1.0
roofing
+ -1 more
unknown
Description of Work: "I received no copy of the signed contract. Sales person did not return. Owners did not return phone calls when contract was cancelled. They cashed the deposit check. Next I heard they were a subject of investigative reports. http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2012/01/customers_say_paw_paw_contract.html May Vestal Builder's owners rot."
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
Alta D.
03/2012
1.0
remodeling, roofing, siding, home remodeling, sunrooms
+ 3 more
Vestal never did the work we contracted for. "Vestal Builders LLC" is officially out of business, having closed its Paw Paw showroom and disconnected its phone in early 2012. But the business plan lives on. Mandy Vestal, Matthew's wife, said on a television interview she was starting up under new names, Exteriors of Michiana and/or Allegiant Exteriors. We are filing a challenge to Vestal's builder's license with the Enforcement Division, Michigan Deprtment of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. We allege that Vestal failed to be licensed as an LLC, as required; false and misleading advertising (Vestal publicly claimed a "99% approval rating"); misrepresentation; violations of the Michigan Home Solicitation Act; and several other issues.
Description of Work: In July, 2011, a Vestal salesman, whom we later learned was unlicensed as required by state law, pressured us into signing a $10,000 contract to reroof our house. He told us shingles were about to increase 11% in price (at midnight to be exact), and if we didn't sign up immediately, we'd have to pay more later. The supposed price increase turned out to be nonexistent, and was a dubious ploy to get us to sign. The salesman also made several other statements we believe now to be untrue: about the quality and timeliness of Vestal's work and how many satisfied customers the company had. In fact, Vestal had at the time the worst building contractor BBB rating in the area--"F" and a host of unhappy customers, some of whom were the subjects of investigative reports during the autumn of 2011 on the local CBS television affiliate, WWMT TV and the Kalamazoo Gazette. The salesman later came clean, and told us he was extremely dissatisfied with how the owner, Matthew Vestal, was treating him and that at the time we signed the contract Vestal owed him and several subcontractors unpaid sums. We haggled and tried to get Vestal to actually do the work, but it never happened. There was always an excuse of one sort or another why he couldn't do our roof. At one point, Vestal tried to extract another $2,900 from us--in advance!--to do the work. Now, nine moths later, Vestal is out of business, its telephone disconnected, and Matthew Vestal was arraigned in January 2012 by the Van Buren County, MI, prosecuting attorney on criminal fraud charges associated with his building and remodeling practices. There are also at least two challenges to his builder's license and several lawsuits, according to attorneys and plaintiffs we have spoken to. Mr. Vestal did in fact refund about 1/3 of our $5,000 downpayment. But we believe under Michigan law we are entitled to a full refund.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
value
5.0
professionalism
1.0
responsiveness
1.0
punctuality
1.0
$5,000
Maraloy T.
09/2011
1.0
home remodeling
+ -1 more
What should have taken 5 days ended up taking 5 1/2 months. They had ordered the wrong cabinets. They ordered a counter that should have had a sink in it and it did not. I went 2 1/2 months without a kitchen sink. They would not return my phone calls. We did correspond through emails. They made me take care of the trash pick up when they said they were going to. They hired an installer and he was fantastic. He knew what he was doing, but they never gave him the plans. He had to work blind as far as figuring out what went where. He was absolutely frustrated as well. They delayed his payment by about a month after he had completed the work. I would not hire them or recommend them to anyone. They are in Paw Paw and they just took total advantage of us both, the installer and myself. They have 18 complaints against them on the Better Business Bureau and a grade F. I didn't know about Angie's List when this project began in March/April. They were totally unethical and irresponsible as far as cooperating. I was constantly told that the builder was in a meeting. They should not have their license to build. They specialize in roofing and siding. They were going to do that work for me as well and I said, 'absolutely not.' They have a complaint with the Michigan Department of Attorney General for a roofing project they had messed up for someone else.
Description of Work: I hired them to do a kitchen remodel.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
1.0
value
1.0
professionalism
1.0
responsiveness
1.0
punctuality
1.0
Kim M.
07/2011
5.0
roofing, siding, replacement windows
+ 1 more
My spouse and i originally met with Vestal Builders last year at the Home Show. At that time, we were only in the planning stages and gathering ideas. When we were ready to move forward with the projects, we called the salesmen Justin and went over our ideas and budget. Justin was very knowledgeable and whatever questions he could not answer, he made sure to get right back with us with the answers. The prices were a bit higher than other companies we had spoken to, but the fact that we were able to set up progress payments for the different products (roofing, siding, windows) helped us budget. The installers were fantastic. The roofers and siders all made sure to take the time to cover our flowers and made sure not to leave a nail in the yard. The window guys were very quick and did a great job too. Cleanup was done very well. All in all the job only took about two weeks, much quicker than we expected. We have been recommending Vestal Builders to every one we know. We hope to be in able to have our kitchen updated this winter and they will for sure have that business.
Description of Work: Roof replacement, siding replacement and 15 windows replaced.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$26,254.67
Response from Vestal Builders
Thank you for your report! We appreciate your business.
We had severe hail damage during the April of 2010 storm and hired Vestal Builders because the salesman was absolutely wonderful, we were sold! After about a month, the salesman left the company, remodeling began and it was all down hill from there. The 'wrong material' was being used per contract since day One; way too many to list. Every window that they installed is leaking severely, slight wind gusts have taken down pieces of their handy construction work in two places [so far]. They have had to come out multiple times to correct simple things like lining the siding up correctly and they are quick to point the finger at someone else for their mistakes... over and over and over again. I have never met a more untrustworthy, incapable, unprofessional, dishonest, unreliable group in my life. Please do EXTENSIVE research before you hire Vestal Builders and look into bogus reviews. My heart goes out to all the many victims (suppliers, builders, home owners, etc.) who have been scammed by this so-called, "company".
Description of Work: Roofing, siding, sofit, facia, gutters/downspouts, windows, doors.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
1.0
value
1.0
professionalism
1.0
responsiveness
2.0
punctuality
1.0
$28,000
Response from Vestal Builders
We are not happy to hear of this customer's dissatisfaction, admittedly, there were issues with this project, mostly a lack of communication on both ends. We did in fact schedule two times to come take a look at the window leak (the only reported issue that I was made aware of) and both times our window specialist came out and no one answered the door for him, even though the appointments had been confirmed by Member. We feel as though we corrected any issues that existed with confusion on door choices and such, and did everything in our power to make the member happy. On my final visit to the home, she told me that she was satisfied with the project and was discussing New Year's Eve plans. It seems as though if she were this upset and all of these issues, she would have refused to pay us and had us take care of the issues. We would never expect an unhappy customer to make their final payment. If the member would like us to set up an appointment to have our production manager meet with her to diiscuss any issues, we would be happy to do that.
james H.
10/2010
2.0
siding
+ -1 more
During the installation process commetted several times that I didn't see the insulation wrap. I was told that the wrap is installed with a small border around doors, corners, windows etc. so I wouldn't see it. Had to call back several times to re-install when mild winds would blow siding off. Recent major storm had to redo several areas. Had someone else do the work, showed me where the siding was installed incorrectly and the insulation wrap was no where to be seen.
Description of Work: Replace siding on the house. Included with the siding was to be an insulation wrap. Had to call back several times to re-install when mild winds would blow siding off. Recent major storm had to redo several areas. Had someone else do the work, showed me where the siding was installed incorrectly and the insulation wrap was no where to be seen.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
1.0
value
4.0
professionalism
2.0
responsiveness
2.0
punctuality
4.0
$5,000
Response from Vestal Builders
I am unaware of the specifics of this customer's project, and this is the first that I am hearing of any issues. I can assure that if we were in fact called back to repair any work, we would have taken care of any issues. We guarantee our craftsmanship, and would have stood behind our installers to correct any issues.
W. E.
08/2010
1.0
roofing
+ -1 more
Terrible. I regret hiring this company. They were more than two weeks starting the job. The installation lacked pride of workmanship and care for the customer overall. They destroyed and shattered vintage bead board with roofing staples and nails. They didn't flash the dormers and the kitchen addition per code - they used tar. They didn't fulfill many aspects of the contract such as replacing rotted boards and trusses and installing eave venting. Gutters were hung incorrectly and don't drain properly. Don't hire this company for any type of work. Unfortunately this company is misrepresenting me in their response below. I did notify them immediately after the job was completed that I was unhappy with their work. They chose not to respond to my complaint until I filed complaints months later with the Better Business Bureau and the state of Michigan. We have delayed arbitration with the BBB since the case is before the state and the state is the legal, regulatory body that monitors code violations and shoddy workmanship. We find ourselves at this juncture because despite our request and the request of the local building inspector this past June this company refused to get a building permit to correct and repair all of code violations and shoddy workmanship. What company who wishes to provide great customer service does that? From our standpoint we were "had" and this is an ongoing disaster that I hope no one else will experience.
Description of Work: Complete tear-off and reroof and installation of new gutters.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
1.0
value
3.0
professionalism
1.0
responsiveness
1.0
punctuality
1.0
$8,500
Response from Vestal Builders
We are sorry to hear the member is not satisfied. When the project was completed last year, she was happy with the results. We have been in communication with member and have attempted arbitration with her to take care of her issues, but have yet to receive a response.
All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our State Contractor License Requirements page.
*Contact business to see additional licenses.
Service Categories
Roofing,
Kitchen and Bath Remodeling,
Siding,
Windows,
Sunrooms and Patio Enclosures,
Doors,
Screen repair,
General Remodeling,
Gutters,
Basement Remodeling,
Cabinet Refacing and Refinishing,
Interior Painting
FAQ
Vestal Builders is currently rated 1.8 overall out of 5.
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Vestal Builders accepts the following forms of payment: American Express,Check,Financing Available,MasterCard,Visa
No, Vestal Builders does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Vestal Builders does not offer a senior discount.
Yes, Vestal Builders offers emergency services.
Yes, Vestal Builders offers warranties.
Vestal Builders offers the following services: Residential new construction, weather damage, additions, roof replacement, siding, garages and pole buildings, finished basements, kitchen & bathroom remodeling, painting, flooring, window and door installation, insulation, countertops & sunrooms.