Woman claims renovation company incorrectly assessed damage

NEW ORLEANS – A woman contends a renovation company made an incorrect assessment regarding chimney damage resulting in $10,000 worth of future repairs.

Stephanie E. Lewis filed suit against A Complete Home Services LLC in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Jan. 6.

Lewis claims she purchased property located at 4703 Music Street in New Orleans on Aug. 23, 2014. Prior to buying it, Lewis was alerted by the previous owners of defects inside the home and estimates of the damage ranged from $13,000 to $20,000 in repair, the suit says.

On Aug. 29, 2014, Kipp Nash, manager for Home Services, was contacted by the plaintiff and arrived at the property to complete a home inspection. Nash concluded that the chimney wasn’t the main issue, instead focusing on damage under the floorboards and “noted that the supports under the floors around the chimney were sinking, but no elevation work would be required,” the suit says.

The plaintiff claims Nash insisted the repairs would be simple and estimated the damage at $3,000.

On Sept. 19, 2014, Home Services agreed on a $2,600 estimate to reinforce the chimney by adding concrete slabs to each side. The defendant also allegedly promised to repair the flooring complications.

“Home Services would also lift the sub flooring, straighten existing concrete block piers, and add new 4x4 sill and concrete block piers underneath the sub flooring near the chimney," the suit says. "Home Services stated that this would support the sub flooring and correct the settlement."

The plaintiff contends Nash’s incorrect assessment resulted in defective renovations. As a result, the petitioner was allegedly “forced” to hire an independent contractor to remove bricks inserted into the sub flooring causing leveling issues.

Lewis estimates these faulty repairs along with continual sinking of the chimney amount to $10,000 in damages.

The plaintiff is represented by Seth J. Smiley, Bradley Aldrich and Matt Thomas of the Wolfe Law Group LLC.

The case has been assigned to Div. A Judge Tiffany G. Chase.

Case no. 2015-00079.