ANDERSON HOMES INC

I am a real estate agent and represented my buyers in the purchase of a bank owned foreclosed property in Milwaukie. We had successfully negotiated with the bank, (the seller) so that they would pay for my buyer's closing costs. The bank was selling the home "as-is" and any lender required repairs needed to be paid by the buyer in a reduction of their closing cocessions. When the appraiser visited the home he noted many areas on the exterior with peeling and chipping paint and since the water was turned off at the time he requires a plumber verify that the fixtures and water heater were in good working condition. The listing agent, Reekie properties, required that we use their "certified" contractors and were presented with a bid from Anderson Homes. When I first recieved the intial bid I questioned the costs of repairs since they appeared to be quite inflated for the going rate. In fact, there were other bids that were significantly less cost. We were told that we had no choice in contractor and the costs were firm. My buyer's really wanted this home so they felt compelled to accept this fate although we knew that the costs were completely out of line with normal and customary fees. The first contact with Anderson homes involved myself and my buyer walking around the perimeter of the home to point out the various areas where there was peeling and chipping paint. The representative from Anderson homes took photos and took notes. We discussed a specific area where there was peeling paint on the trim around the sliding glass door and he asked if they needed to color match the green paint and we told him that replacing with white paint was sufficient. All the FHA appraiser cared about was eliminating the peeling and chipped areas and covering with paint. We were told that the job would be completd promptly. We also discussed the plumbing repairs with the Anderson homes representative and he indicated he would need to replace the kitchen faucet and my buyer asked if he would leave the original that was a high end retractable stainless steel faucet. He said he would. The next several days we had nice weather, a break in the normal rainy weather we had been experiencing but Anderson homes did not show up to do the work until the day it rained practically non stop. They painted a few areas, did not address any of the trim around the door that we had specifically discussed. They left many paint chips on the ground surface and the paint was running down the entire side wall of the garage because they painted in the pouring rain. In addition, the plumbing fixtures that needed replacing were swapped out with lesser quality fixtures and never tested for leaks other than air testing. I would think it would be reasonable to test a plumbing leak by running the water but they claimed it was not necessary. They promptly sent their bill and claimed the work was completed. When we decided to check the work ourselves we found many problems and knew that it would not pass an appraisal inspection. In fact, 75% of the areas we discussed that needed to be scraped and painted were not even touched. In additon, the appraiser came back out and found many areas not completed and would not pass final inspection. I then called Chris Anderson, the owner of Anderson home and met him at the home. He claimed that his representative was no longer with him and that he had no knowledge of what we had discussed. I again walked the entire perimeter of the home and pointed out the areas where the paint was visibly peeling and chipping. I also reiterated that the paint chips needed to be removed in a manner condusive with Oregon Lead paint removal law. He indicated the work would be done. At the time I questioned the quality of work, such as running paint down the wall and paint chips all over the ground he began to get very defensive and rude. I have to admit, I probably was rude in response but I work for my buyer sand my job was to get this home to pass inspection, not placate some contractor that couldn't accept constructive criticism. I then called Reekie properties, the listing agency of the home and reported that the work was not done to the satisfaction of my buyer nor the appraiser. I also questioned as to whether Mr. Anderson had the proper credetials to do this job. In Oregon it is required for a contractor working on a pre 1978 home where it involves any paint removal or obstruction to be licensed for such removal through the Oregon contractors board. Reekie properties assured me that he carried the proper licensing. I then checked the contracors board and he was NOT nor as of this report is he licensed for Lead paint removal. I had a suspision he was not licensed because he did not follow the proper protocal such as placing a cloth or plastic barrier to catch all chips and then disposing them at a approved site. In addition, his workers need to be outfitted in proper gear and clothing so not to be harmed from potential lead exposure. The two employees he had doing the job were a pastor, painting part time to supplement his income and a young boy, perhaps under 18. I was there when they were doing the work and did not witness and drop cloth for the chips or protective gear. I personally find it reprehensible that a contractor would put his own employees in harms way and lie about such certification for financial gain. Since Mr. Anderson had to make a second trip to finish the painting he resubmitted a new invoice which increased his fee. The amount that my buyers had already agreed to pay as a reduction of thier closing concessions was at the limit they could pay and still qualify for the loan. I agreed to pay $600 of this bid so that my buyers could close on this home. I thought long and hard about not paying this bill but 1. I had agreed to the terms and I am a person of my word and 2. I was afraid the contractor might place a lien on the property or further complicated matters for my buyers. My payment of services is in no way, shape or form approval of his workmanship. In fact, in the several years I have sold residential real estate I have worked with 100"s of comtractors and this was, bar none, the worst job I have ever witnessed. In addition, after the plumbing repairs were completed he replaced several fixtures with lesser quality faucets and fixtures and took the kitchen faucet that his employee had promised would stay. Only when confronted with the fact did he return the faucet but it was missing a vital piece that if removed, prevented it from working. Clearly it had been deliberately removed. It is rare that I will make a public complaint of a service provider since I know that there are times when we simply can't please everyone and there is always room for human error. I feel that everyone deserves a chance to correct a mistake or misunderstaing. But in this case, Mr. Anderson had plenty of opportunity to recitfy his mistakes and satisfy the customer. In each instance he was defensive, rude and threw his own employees under the bus not taking any responsibilty for his lack of oversight, ethical behavior and attitude. When my client filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau he stated he never worked for my client because the fee or pay arrangement came from Reekie properties and myself, Barbara Nelson Realty Group and that he never had any contac with my clientt. The reason he never had any contact was because he never returned her numerous calls. In additon, I am a paying customer and I can clearly convey the disatisfaction of myself and the buyer that ultimately has to live with the shoddy workmanship. I hope in writing this report I can prevent someone else from this experience. It's a shame that my buyer had to have such an horrible experince in purchasing her first home. I can only hope that Mr. Anderson takes this complaint as an opportunity to change his behavior and character. I