In June of 2005, we contracted with JRC Services (then known as Sands Construction) to replace our hurricane-damaged roof. A 50% deposit of $11, 200 was paid on July 8, 2005. After numerous start-date promises, a multitude of excuses, and weeks without returning our calls, the contractor JRC Services gave a firm start date of Nov. 22, 2005. The contractor JRC services did not show up on that date or the next firm date. Even considering any and all possible delays, fully five months from contract execution to the start of roofing installation is unreasonable . During these 5 months, there was no roof on the house, and we were using tarps and tar paper for what little protection we could. Hurricane Wilma blew through, and our home sustained more water damage in master bedroom closet and all clothing and electrical in the closet.

After the long period of time before work began, the very first day on the job, we experienced serious workmanship issues. The product being installed was a metal standing-seam roof available in lengths up to 40ft. The plan was to install one continuous un-broken metal sheet 22-feet from ridge to eave for maximum weather-tightness and wind resistance. Instead, the contractor chose to cut the roof in half, and put an ugly, highly-visible seam in the front, most visible portion of the roof. The contractor lied to us and said the manufacturer required a "slope transition" for the warranty. This issue had been resolved months ago for one continuous sheet. The manufacturer even said that the way the contractor chose was inferior to the single sheet method, and that wind-driven rain could enter the joint the way the contractor chose to install. The contractor JRC Services also did not install the attachment hardware in the proper spacing (32 inches apart, rather than using the 16 inches where the purlins were installed by the factory specifications.). Also, the contract specified that three 3 1-2 inch long #10 screws would be driven through the 2 x 4 purlin and into the 1 x6 roof deck below. However the contractor cut corners and used 1 inch long screws instead. Also, the insulated sheathing was promised to be 1 inch thick, but the contractor showed up with insulation only 3-4 of an inch thick.

On December 12, we confronted the contractor with some of these issues, and rather than work to make it right, he told us he had contacted his attorney, and that he was stopping work and removing his tools from the job site because we disagreed on how the work should be done. He would only consider returning if-when we complied with his attorney's demands. He has not met the contract, and has walked off the job. Our roof sits open to the elements, and there are roofing materials all over our yard.

If anyone has been contacted by these individuals, I would suggest thinking long and hard before signing with these people, or giving them a dime. The individuals involved: JRC Services or J.R.C. Services, James William Ricci a.k.a. James Ricci a.k.a. Jim Ricci, Cheryl Nunley (insurance claims specialist), Tom Naser (prepared the quote). The woman who answers their phone, which happens very rarely, is named Tina. It is my understanding that Tina is Ricci's mother. This company started out representing themselves as Sands Construction, but now go by the name of J.R.C. Services of Central Florida, Inc.

It will probably be years before our lawyers finish hashing this out, and who knows how long before our roof is ever completed. Meantime, we continue to deal with water damage and other construction issues now on hold because this roofer chose to walk off the job and not honor his contract.