HomeMy WebLinkAbout2950 Neil Dr - Correspondence - 10/18/1998Michael W. Gebo October 18, 1998
City of Fort Collins
Building and Zoning Departmnent
281 North College Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
(970)221-6760
Dear Mr. Gebo,
I hired Mr. John Totos on 1/2/98 to fully finish my basement,
install Wilsonart laminate flooring in the basement as well as on
the first and second floors, to retile the two upstairs
bathrooms, and to help me with a few other jobs (such as
installing several wall brackets, installing two ceiling fans,
and installing recessed lights throughout the house). Mr. Totos
was referred to me by Sutherland's the end of 12/97. Mr. Totos
agreed to do the above mentioned work and to charge me his
"winter" rates. On 1/2/98, he told that he would save all
receeipts and pass the savings on to me. I said that I expected
him to do that and that I needed all receipts for my records. He
began work on 1/16/98. I paid $2300.00 down payment on the
$4300.00 contract to fully finish the basement (excluding
installation of flooring in the basement). On 1/29/98, I paid
Mr. Totos $1800.00 down payment on labor for flooring
installation, believing that my basement would be fully finished
in a matter of days (excluding the flooring installation). Over
the past ten months, Mr. Totos has had numerous excuses not to
work and complete the contracted work. As of 10/6/98, he has not
returned my phone calls. I have paid him a total of $17,242.50.
I have records of all of my cancelled checks, all payable to
John Totos. The contracts (including all materials) plus one
additional itemized bill for miscellaneous work totals
$18,878.13. I was repeated told by Mr. totos that all contracts
include all materials. He said he threw away receipts for stair_
treads 5/98 after a "theft" from my garage in which stair
treads, Mr. Totos' rowter, and a window air conditioner were
"stolen". He said he did not keep any receipts since all
contracts include all materials. This is inconsistent with what
I had agreed on 1/2/98 (that he would keep all receipts and pass
the savings on to me) and the fact that I paid for all lights and
cans for basement (which he was suppose to pay for since all
contracts include all materials). The following has been
completed to date: wiring for basement (excluding installation
of light switches and electrical outlets, though wiring is in
place), frame for basement (though not floating floors per
code), installation of Wilsonart laminate flooring in basement
(excluding baseboards), drywall installation, and texture of
drywall has been completed. Building permits were not obtained
even though I repeatedly asked about this, the walls have not
been primed or- pFain-te-d, two doors in basment have not been
purchased or installed, electrical outlet cover plates and light
swithces cover plates have not been purchased or installed, light
trims for recessed lights have not been installed (the cans and
wiring for recessed lights have been completed), installation of
round electrical outlet that :is to go in floor of study has not
been purchased or installed.. Additonally, the laiminate floor
to be installed on my first and second floors has not been
installed even though I have paid for all labor (which is almost
$3000.00 for installation on these two levels). The carpet in my
upstairs study ;has been torn up for almost ten months while
awaiting installation of the Wilsonart floor. Last winter, three
of my cats were nailed inside the subfloor when I came home from
work. Furthermore, I recently learned (from Poudre Valley Air)
that code requires either double insulation or 7" clearance by a
duct going from the furnace in the basement. I also have
recently learned that Mr. Totos is not a licensed contractor.
Since the beginning of 1998, Mr. Totos has told me repeatedly
that he would have everyting finished in a few weeks. However,
he repeatedly had excuses such as his wife being terminally ill,
his mother's recent diagnosis of cancer, and exaccerbations of
his father's heart conditions.. He reportedly was ill on two
occasions and had an injured- back on two C"it'her occasio-rrs-, thus -
was unable to work for one to two weeks with each incident.
Feeling sorry for his hardships, I paid him well in advance for
work that was never done. This man, Mr. John Totos, knows that I
sold all of my stocks to pay for this renovation and that I must
take out loans for school. I have had third party "witnesses"
during all of my interactions with Mr. Totos since the end of
May, 1998. I have never personally met a more corrupt and
dishonest person. I appreciate your assistance in this
situation.
Sincerely,
Susie Bond
2950 Neil Drive, #5
Fort Collins, CO 80526
(970484-7545
Summary of contracts written by Mr. John Totos for home
improvements for Susie Bond:
Date Amount Reason
of
Contract
1/2/98 $4300 . 00 Fully finish basement (excluding materials
& installation of Wilsonart floor )
1/2/98 $2200 .00 Tile both upstairs bathrooms ( includes
cost of tile)
1/27/98 $11 , 300 Installation of Wilsonart floors on all
plus floor three levels ; rebuild two staircase
tax ( $373 . 13 ) & install oak stair treads
6/18/98 $"J05 . 00 Miscellaneous itemized list
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