Somerset did my renovation and I wish I had never let them into my house.
Three days in, with the roof off and the tarps on, we were blasted by a microburst. My insurance company refused to cover (rainwater), but Graeme's did, after a fight. I always thanked Graeme for this and recommended him to others, saying he kept his word. I am now in the process of reaching out to those people to let them know what has happened.
We didn't realize the sump pump was damaged in the first flood, and there were a second smaller one about five weeks later. He installed a new sump pump, and we asked for a battery backup. (Graeme claims not to remember the battery backup part of the conversation. He wrote in an email he didn't know where to get one.)
Anyway, the sump pump was installed...with no backup. We had a couple of close calls, where the water got high and I was concerned. However, I had a real problem finding anyone to install the battery part. Anyway, you know the rest...the sump failed Monday and with no battery backup, we were clobbered.
After the flood, the neighbours made suggestions on where to get the backup done. Too late of course, but we hired a plumbing company to do it. They laughed at the sump that was installed by Somerset, saying it was "cheap" and not built to handle the job. I thought that was an upsell, but did some research and it appears that is accurate.
Because of the two floods on Graeme's watch, my insurance company demanded a massive deductible for sewage backup -- even though it did not have to pay a cent. As a result, I am on the hook for at least $10,000 of this mess. It is extremely likely I will be on the hook for all of it, as the insurance company may determine all of it is rainwater.
In addition to all of this, I did not want to make the final payment of $5,000 to Somerset because there were some issues. For example, the bathtub installed in our master bathroom upstairs is leaking into the living room. Graeme would not look at it until payment was received. I paid the $5,000 wanting to get it done -- last week -- not realizing it was actually a little less than $5300 with GST. Anyway, Graeme refused to look at anything until that extra amount was paid.
Just beware. I wish I'd never met him.
Elliotte Friedman
EDIT: Graeme's response is below. He and I could argue back and forth about this, and he deserves his say. But I cannot let one statement go unchallenged: "Your project is everything we promised you; it is fantastic."
That is simply not true.
For example, we spent $2,200 on a beautiful jacuzzi with air jet streams...and cannot use it. It leaks into our main floor. Graeme refused to repair it until he was fully paid. It remains unfixed (although, at this point, I will not allow him to touch our home). There are some other smaller issues, too.
Sadly, we are headed towards litigation. It is a hugely draining and frustrating process. To say the work is fantastic is just not correct.
If anyone wants more information, please contact Homestars, and I will be glad to speak to you.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $150,000.00
- Company Response
Elliotte,
Half the city of Toronto flooded. Our mandate from Somerset's insurers was to replace the existing sump pump with an equivalent unit. That we did. (no records of battery back-up system).
The power failed in Toronto - speak to your City Council. It isn't Somerset's fault.
Previous claims through Somerset's insurance was paid 100%. How can you blame your insurance' non-payment to a roof/tarp failure at our initial construction start?
What does that have anything to do with your sump/power-outage failure and a claim to your insurance company.
If you need to be angry speak to your insurance company!
They abandoned you initially - thank goodness for Federated, our insurance company for protecting you through Somerset.
You don't return calls or emails - very difficult to assist you.Your project is everything we promised you; it is fantastic.
We are sorry for your storm damage - it isn't our fault.
Graeme & Somerset staff.