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My father bought land in Marloth Park - Mpumalanga in 2005. He got a quotation from a company that builds
loghomes. He accepted the quote and ask your man to build the house.
Innitially the person agreed to start building the house without a deposit, but then later insisted on a deposit. My father applied at Absa bank to get a building loan, they approved it on the following conditions needed from the builder:
1- NHBRC Certificate - Valid
2-Inspection from the bank's inspector - on previous buildings from this company
3-Engineer inspecting the building, throughout the whole process.
The person from this company then insisted on a deposit while the bank is approving the building loan. My father didn't have the funds, he then applied for a personal loan to pay the company the deposit. The bank would then pay off the personal loan when the money from the building loan got paid out. The builders wife phoned the bank numerous times to find out when they will deposit the money into their account.
While all this was happening, my father kept phoning the builder and ask for the NHBRC Certificate as well as for the builder to make an appointment with the inspector of the bank etc. The bank then transferred the funds into a given account, different from the company me father initially did the agreement with.
As soon as they received the funds, my father kept calling and asking them to fax the NHBRC Certificate. They eventually faxed through the certificate, but it has already expired. My dad called them again and the builder told him to get someone else to build his house then.
After all this my father kept phoning them and ask them to start building the house as agreed or return the money then. The builders wife where very arrogant and told my dad they dont have money to pay him back and they dont care if my father take legal action against them. They Liquadated the company whilst my father where seeking legal help. By the time the solicitors letters went through court etc. the company where already bursting.
The initial agreement where between Cosy Homes and my dad. The money where paid into RJ Timber
Construction's account. This company is still going strong.
Still telling lies and making excuses about the money. Even made promises a few months ago to build the house as soon as he has the money. Yet no house and no money. How could they get away with this? Is there any way that one could fight this.
They promised us that our house will be finish in 7 weeks (have written proof of it).When confronting Rika Gerber on the action plan sent through by them confirming that it will take 7 weeks - she kept on saying we are expecting them to build a huge house in the time you would build a wendy house - We should not ask questions and not make an issue out of nothing. (She also claims that the action plan was not sent through by them, even though I have email proof that it came from their e-mail address with a msg from Charlene Gerber ). 7 months later the house is eventially finish (after numerous other issues arrising, fighting, follow ups, empty promises), Paid over the final amount in mid January 2011 as they are very quick to throw in your face that they will charge you R3000 per day if you are late with payment, but still need to follow up with themfor documents promised (Engineer certificate & qaurantee). Cannot move into the "new" house until we have received the outstanding documents.Doesn't seem like this will ever end.
It is now 3 months after they first promised to have the job done in 3 days! All of the comments above are absolutely true! It seems that to swindle people IS their business. My attorney friend has her hands full with them. So far it has been a no win situation.
I had dealings with RJ Timbers over the last couple of months and it has been an absolute nightmare! They always ask for upfront payments, but do not know the first thing of customer service. You need to follow up with them constantly. They always have excuses of why they cannot deliver (and dont take responsiblity for anything). Verbal abuse taken from both Peet Gerber (owner) and Rika Gerber (his wife). Always gets told that we bought a special and should appreciate their service. (even though we paid the exact price they quoted us for) Lies upon lies are told - just to keep you off their backs for another day or 2. Dealing with RJ Timbers is really once of the biggest mistakes I have ever made and I am regretting every minute. I cannot believe that people can do this to other people.
2011 and they are still in the business of taking peoples monies and then walking away.