Rose Builders

We hired Navarre Martell (aka Navarre Rose) to install cement fiber siding on our house and garage. He was very personable and gave us what seemed like a reasonable estimate of $40,377. In good faith, I sent him a 50% deposit of $20,188. I didn't hear from him for a month. He eventually blocked my calls, and wouldn't answer my texts or emails. I finally had my husband call him (unfamiliar number) and he had some excuse of being "in the north with no cell reception." He eventually had supplies delivered. [It turned out he ordered way too much siding which now sits on my driveway. The dealer won't take it back, no one will buy it, we can't even donate it. Navarre wouldn't give me the receipts, but a separate contractor estimated the wasted siding/sheathing at $2500.] Navarre worked a total of 3 days (17.5 hours). I was so worried about the quality of his work that I asked another contractor to come and give me his opinion. As I suspected, Navarre's work was a nightmare. Huge gaps between the ends of the siding. Chipped siding installed, exposed nails, shoddy work at every step. He didn't paint or seal the ends of the siding pieces, didn't put flashing behind it, no caulking. It was a disaster. After working three days, he disappeared. Wouldn't answer calls, texts, emails. Finally my husband left a message saying we were hiring someone else and we wanted a refund of our deposit less the cost of the materials (if he would supply receipts, which he never did) and fair pay for the three days he worked. He never responded. After a month, my husband left him a message saying we were seeking legal action. He then responded with a text saying he had mailed a "certified money order for a large amount" that must have gotten lost in the mail. His next text said that he was "waiting for his bank to put money in his account." (aren't we all?) And that's the last I've heard from him. He apparently plans to keep our $20,000. He has changed his Facebook name from Navarre Martell to Navarre Rose in a sad attempt to hide his identity. We will be seeking legal action in an attempt to get at least some of our money back. Retirement is off the table at this point. We have had plenty of contractors work for us in the past and we've never been cheated before, which is, I guess, why I was so trusting.