Comments
gigibuffoon t1_j2ci391 wrote
Ha if the city fined any developers that fuck up the surroundings, it will be a miracle
LeftLegCemetary t1_j2e149i wrote
She's going to get way more than just reimbursed.
Brahette t1_j2bocah wrote
I've been following this story on Rants and Raves, the photos are absolutely insane the amount of damage they've done to her property. They even tried to give her a check for $1k for her troubles
philadelphia76 t1_j2c8ue1 wrote
what is rants and raves
why_oh_why36 t1_j2c9wya wrote
Roxborough Rants & Raves. It's a Facebook group for Roxborough/Manayunk/Andorra/Wissahickon residents. It's a drama goldmine. Also, every once in a while they come together and actually give good, neighborly advice that ends up helping someone in a tough situation. This is one of those times.
thebutchone t1_j2cq75w wrote
Honestly only reason I'm still on Facebook is the neighborhood groups and finding out how unhinged my neighborhood is.
philadelphia76 t1_j2ca9jw wrote
ah okay, thanks i don't have facebook, so appreciate the context
why_oh_why36 t1_j2cckod wrote
No problem.
Jethro_Cull t1_j2cunps wrote
Roxborough Rants and Rwves is one of the reasons I deleted Facebook. There is so much blatant racism on there.
NimdokBennyandAM t1_j2dojv5 wrote
I was about to say, that group's "drama" is usually just generic brand NIMBY racism. It was pretty much the Citizen app before the Citizen app got popular.
daveypop75 t1_j2dv1dd wrote
Once I saw which neighborhoods were included in that group, I already know.
havpac2 t1_j2dou8s wrote
One of facebooks most racists Philly community group. It’s also full of entertainment. Used to be more racist pre pandemic
Each neighborhood basically has their de facto community group on Facebook , west Willy is for wast Philly and super progressive in nature
clander270 t1_j2e0xik wrote
The South Philly group I'm in is fucking ALLLL over the place, and everyone really loves to let people know what they think about controversial issues
toss_it_out_tomorrow t1_j2em499 wrote
the port richmond group and the fishtown group are both really special
PurpleWhiteOut t1_j2f5thh wrote
Is this south silly lol
[deleted] t1_j2c9jfu wrote
[removed]
[deleted] t1_j2d8bsw wrote
[deleted]
Welico t1_j2efsot wrote
This is on my old street! I walked past twice a day for years lol. Photos/vids don't do justice to how fucking ugly this construction site is. I was always pretty sure they were doing shitty work just because it was such an eyesore for SO long. I felt bad for every house around it.
Zfusco t1_j2c2ztk wrote
This whole construction site is totally out of control. Sidewalk is wrecked, they regularly start making tons of noise before 7am, parking in no parking zones all the time. Watched them use both neighbors land to drive all sorts of stuff around the site.
Hope she sues them into bankruptcy.
sn0m0ns t1_j2cg94h wrote
They fold the LLC they are operating under and open a new one. Seriously, construction firms are some of the biggest scumbags I've ever worked for.
Zfusco t1_j2dpku1 wrote
It's still wild to me that cycling through construction LLC's are even legal. I understand the need for them, but you shouldn't be able to create a new one for every development and claim the old one has no money.
They're building what is the average american families largest asset, and the house is supposed to last decades, but a year after construction is done, the company that built it is 100% absolved of any liability, failings, etc. And even if something goes wrong before the year, they'll just claim it's bankrupt and nothing happens to the owner.
Been through it myself nearby, and it put me off new construction in philly for good.
Trafficsigntruther t1_j2dvncr wrote
As opposed to buying used where the minute you sign the paperwork the old owner is 100% absolved.
Zfusco t1_j2e0rpw wrote
Yea, exactly? People pay a premium for new construction because they don't want old home problems, the fact that the builder can't be held responsible for selling a broken product is a problem.
If I buy a TV that doesn't work when I get home, I return it to the store. If my new car is missing the power steering, the dealer fixes it.
If my new house has a bad roof, I need 30 grand and a lawyer to get it solved if I manage to sue the builder before he dissolves his LLC.
Trafficsigntruther t1_j2egcpw wrote
> because they don't want old home problems, the fact that the builder can't be held responsible for selling a broken product is a problem.
They can be if you put that in your contract.
> If I buy a TV that doesn't work when I get home, I return it to the store. If my new car is missing the power steering, the dealer fixes it.
Because that’s what your contract with them requires.
Zfusco t1_j2eiy7p wrote
It's in nearly every contract. The fact that the standard in philly is a 1 year warranty top to bottom is pretty crazy IMO. You shouldn't be building homes if you can only guarantee a foundation and roof for a year, but that's a separate issue altogether.
The problem is that they know enforcing your contract is out of the reach of most people, and that simply managing their books to their advantage means they'll never face any personal repercussions for it even for folks who can afford a lawyer. I was ready to sue my builder, and the reality was that 3 different lawyers all agreed I'd win, and we'd even be able to pierce the corporate veil due to the circumstances of the particular case, and that all said and done it would cost more than the repair would.
Have you been through it? Suing a builder/Developer? Or are you one? I find that people who suggest "just put it in your contract" are generally ignorant to the fact that enforcing a contract costs money, often times a ton of money. Most people aren't exactly flush with spare cash after buying a home.
Trafficsigntruther t1_j2en9tl wrote
> are generally ignorant to the fact that enforcing a contract costs money,
Not really ignorant to it at all. on the business side, but the concept and costs are the same.
Scumandvillany t1_j2byv3h wrote
When a developer puts a shovel into your land without permission you step the fuck outside and tell 'em to get the fuck off your lawn. If they don't, you call the police. It sucks, but then you gotta get a lawyer.
There's a such thing as a construction easement, and you gotta get in the face of workers and the developers early on in the process, and demand $$ for any incursions into your property. She could have easily demanded thousands beforehand. Now she'll spend thousands on a lawyer too. I've heard of similar easements costing 10k or more. She's got much more than that in damage now, but it will cost here as much money to a lawyer to recoup.
felisverde t1_j2dc9i3 wrote
& the police don't do shit, they tell you to call L&I, who don't do shit, they tell you you have to go before the zoning board, etc...who don't do shit, & so on & so on & so on . & By the time all these city agencies who are supposed to be protecting you are done giving you the runaround, the contractor/developers are done doing whatever shit they were doing that they shouldn't have been doing in the 1st place & you & your property are screwed. Wanna guess how I know??
Scumandvillany t1_j2dhzw9 wrote
I would bet you didn't go outside and tell them to fuck off your land tho
William_d7 t1_j2dstjl wrote
I’ll bet he did.
This happened to my neighbor this year.
He tries to get a formal agreement in place before letting contractors on his land, developers don’t want to sign anything.
Workers just start coming onto his property/roof. Neighbor tells them to get off, workers pretend not to know English. Neighbor calls police, police tell him he should just let them finish the work. Neighbor says not without agreement in place. Workers try to time future trespassing when neighbor’s car isn’t around. Neighbor calls police again several times but eventually they stop showing up.
felisverde t1_j2fdddv wrote
Yup. Or they'll time their work for holidays, when city inspectors' offices are closed-they've done that on multiple properties around here. By the time anyone gets around to doing anything their work is pretty much done.
felisverde t1_j2fd0h3 wrote
Really? I lost track of how many times I went out & lost my shit on those assholes. (As well as all the other crap you're supposed to do) & yet here I am w/a cracked foundation, front steps, doors & windows that needed to be reset, etc...& thanks to city laws at that time, no recourse. But please, do go on & tell me all about my experience w/this shit...
Scumandvillany t1_j2fe3qj wrote
I'm sorry you went thru this, really. I'm talking more about actual encroachment onto your property, not so much structural damage of an existing structure that results from construction next door.
felisverde t1_j2fjl2g wrote
I live in a row home. I have had contractors & developers encroach onto my property, w/out permission, more times than I can count..guys on my roof from both sides, guys in our yard from the back & both sides, huge construction vehicles driving over or parking on my sidewalk out front, etc...etc...etc....& If lifting & underpinning your house & foundation WITH YOU IN IT FFS, doesn't count as 'encroaching' on your property, then I just don't know wth does. (& No, I absolutely am not kidding)
felisverde t1_j2fkm6f wrote
Oh, another favorite..taking my scaffolding ladder off of MY side roof (I had been out there doing some siding repairs) that they had never asked or had permission to be on & putting it in the yard of the house they were working on, & the owner pulling the whole she thought it was theirs b/s & didn't have them put it back, I just had it handed back over my yard wall. Contactors & developers do whatever tf they want to do here, basically b/c they know they can & will get away w/it. The city only protects property owners while they're places are under development. After that, you're on your own.
Smightmite t1_j2c17vn wrote
I mean the construction company will be liable for her lawyer and court fees after she wins
Scumandvillany t1_j2c1zmw wrote
Not exactly how it works. You'd think so, but only if it goes to trial, and believe it or not, trial can cost 30k. Hell the lead up to trial can cost 30k. I'm familiar with a similar case, but more damage, lawyers racked up 50k in the year of litigation. Parties agreed to settle for 100k. Person took home 50k. If it had gone to trial, would have cost even more, but there's no guarantee a jury would award that much.
Vast majority of these cases are settled.
Smightmite t1_j2c24al wrote
Interesting thank you for clarifying!
Scumandvillany t1_j2c2uzz wrote
The only reason this person walked away with 50k is that he was willing to spend 50k, and had it to spend. It sucks. This is why you gotta get ahead of it at.
Fuckin lawyers. Pretrial motions, motions in limine, motions to dismiss, expert witnesses, depositions, discovery, statements of fact, opposing statements of fact, motions upon motions, it adds up. A civil case right now can take years to get to trial.
IANAL
[deleted] t1_j2dme3o wrote
[removed]
usernametakensofme t1_j2cosf2 wrote
Settled to account for these costs. She will come away, if not whole, better off. The Developers insurance will pay but it may take time.
MrMcFunStuff t1_j2cpyrv wrote
They’re probably a LLC that’ll just fold at the first sign of trouble and nobody will be held accountable.
lucascorso21 t1_j2dhmmu wrote
That practice doesn’t really work anymore.
wawa2563 t1_j2dkjwy wrote
All ears/eyes. Tell us why.
eapocalypse t1_j2dm9lu wrote
I mean even if they do their liability insurance will still be on the hook. It really only serves to protect the business owners and if they didn't do anything fraudulent then you can't pierce the veil and go after them anyway
lucascorso21 t1_j2dsn4l wrote
Right, if they are a legitimate business, they will have the insurance and just pay the claim out.
If they involved in fraud/negligence/reckless/illegal acts, then the LLC doesn’t protect them anyway.
lucascorso21 t1_j2dsg1g wrote
Because larger LLCs, or those simply operating like a legit business, will carry the appropriate liability insurance in the event that it’s employees screw up or when accidents happen. That’s extremely common, a best practice, and the typical result to settle the claim.
Smaller LLCs, or ones that are badly managed, will be personally involved in operations including any negligent/fraudulent/illegal actions. That involvement negates the standard LLC protections and exposes the ownership to individual liability. You also run into situations where a member claims they weren’t “directly” involved in X matter, but somehow their specific LLCs are constantly being sued for the above issues. A strong argument to make and one that leads to a settlement in order to head off the much larger ramifications.
There’s also a crap ton of legislation coming down at a federal level which is focused on improving the transparency of beneficial ownership, including for LLCs, because such business setups are constantly used for financial crimes.
throwawaythedo t1_j2d7kj0 wrote
Civil Lit attorneys mostly use a contingency contract. If there is a settlement, the attorney takes what they said they’d charge in the contract, and the client gets the rest. But, the client does not spend a dime to retain, have representation, court fees, etc. The firm puts up all this money with the hopes that they’ll win a profit.
If no settlement is agreed upon and it goes to trial, the attorney could lose quite a bit. I served on a civil jury where the cost for a forensic actuary alone was 10k/day. They were suing for millions and we awarded him nothing (he was a lying mfer). His attorneys were out quite a bit of money. But, shame on them for turning down the settlement, agreeing to trial bc they genuinely thought this guy was going to get sympathy from the jury.
eapocalypse t1_j2dm0hz wrote
Strictly speaking as soon as lawyers are involved the construction companies insurance will get legally involved and start making legitimate settlement offers many of which will likely cover the damage plus lawyer fees.
Frontstunderel t1_j2brl08 wrote
These developers are out of control in this city
irishbastard87 t1_j2c6p72 wrote
I have 3 accounts in a new townhome development in roxborough. I am a landscaper. The developer back filled the lots with what they dug out for foundation. Grass is almost impossible to grow. Air conditioners are set almost on the ground. Philly developers are terrible.
crank12345 t1_j2ce32o wrote
Who is the developer?
William_d7 t1_j2dubko wrote
According to the Roxborough Rants and Raves post it’s Kiddma LLC. Looks like a couple of millennial Israeli tech bros.
12kdaysinthefire t1_j2chp0y wrote
That’s fucked up, I feel bad for her.
Funfruits77 t1_j2dirx6 wrote
Contact the attorney general. They regulate contractors in PA. The GC should have a PAHIC#, the city won’t allow you a permit without one.
TDbank t1_j2dl5xv wrote
Grass is green, sky is blue, developers don’t follow the rules, Philly cares about nothing
DerTagestrinker t1_j2drw78 wrote
I’m sure our ~4% city tax pays for several different departments whose stated mission is to protect homeowners from shit like this, but whose actual mission is to redistribute tax dollars to employees who don’t do a fucking thing.
TDbank t1_j2et0xd wrote
Throughout Fishtown it’s a mess of no sidewalks, tore up streets, fences all fallen over on the sidewalk, trucks hanging out into the road, you name it. I’ve seen a dozen or less L&I cars or so since I moved up here four years ago.
THATDUDEROBO t1_j2fqvcz wrote
Money talks!, Bullshit walks!
Looks_not_Crooks t1_j2dsx86 wrote
As a developer this shit drives me crazy. Even if they legally owned part of per property, this is absolutely no way to go about the situation. Roxborough is already a tough area to work in, and this will only further create tensions that have the potential to escalate to violence. This is no way to treat a neighbor. Develop as if you were going to live there.
Banglophile t1_j2eqnvp wrote
I appreciate this as a homeowner. Rox is developing like crazy right now. I don't want to be a NIMBY because I love that our neighborhood is so desirable. But when I see a new development my fear is that it will be just like this.
I_divided_by_0- t1_j2d384v wrote
“Permit for digging more than 5’”
Goodbye basements on new construction. They ain’t going to do it.
8Draw t1_j2dtj9m wrote
If they can't do it right, good
XSC t1_j2eko85 wrote
Is that the house that has been under construction on green ln since at least 2019? It has been poorly fenced off, blocking the sidewalk with gaping hole in the ground. House has been on barebones open to the environment. Whoever buys it will be in for a surprise.
Brahette t1_j2fkwha wrote
No, this house is on Fountain St and the construction started very recently
BlackhawkinPA t1_j2dnbp0 wrote
Maybe they need a Developer Task Force......
[deleted] t1_j2ccspk wrote
[removed]
[deleted] t1_j2dcgza wrote
[removed]
[deleted] t1_j2e3tu8 wrote
[removed]
[deleted] t1_j2fwwow wrote
[removed]
scienceon t1_j2bvjnz wrote
I know he does basically nothing but maybe Larry Krasner can be bothered to go after these unscrupled developers.
[deleted] t1_j2c7yfq wrote
[removed]
Allemaengel t1_j2c1bdo wrote
He'll get right on that, lol.
throwawaitnine t1_j2bwb7v wrote
The city should shut this job site down until this homeowner is totally and completely reimbursed to her satisfaction.