d.a.kinsella company

I can vouch that I was called and performed all the inspections at 158 High Plain Rd, Andover. The workman ship quality was of industry standard and detected no imperfections during my inspections.
Thank you,
Raymond Costello
Local Inspector
Town of Andover
Phone 978-623-8620
Email ray.costello@andoverma.gov

Tim D sought our services to build an illegal in-law apartment. We advised Tim D that the town of Andover did not allow in-law apartments with out a variance and we could not knowingly break the law, so we entered into a contract with that understanding, dated October 4, 2017 in the amount of $ 211,301.21 and based upon the plans prepared by The Miller Design Group.

Delays to the start and progress of the work were caused by the following.
I Permit. The architect applied for the building permit, we were advised that we had to issue a letter to the town to transfer the permit into our firm’s name after the following items were completed.
1.The owner had to have 1 tree removed which was in the way of the construction.
2.The septic tank had to be moved. Andover Board of Health required the tank to be inspected and then replaced. Mr. Derosa engaged the person that built the septic system and it was completed a month later.

II Tim D advised us to call the Andover Police if his brother (who shall be called “the brother”)
was disrupting or derogatory in any way. The project was disrupted several times.
•Twice he exposed himself to the framers.
•He entered a vehicle and ordered the worker in the truck to drive him to Lawrence, MA.
•He began yelling at the workers and our on-site supervisor.
•He would not allow access to the house to turn on tripped breakers. We obtained a
standalone generator and diesel fuel to power the compressors and saws.
The brother was detained by the Andover police and institutionalized for physiocratic care.

III Delays to the project were a direct result of the plans.
•No window or door openings dimensions were given to locate the windows and exterior doors.
•A change order for a structural footing under a load bearing wall had to be added causing 2 pours for the slab and a 4” step between the garage and the Bonus room was not provided per code.
•The transom window we purchased (based on the information on the drawings for over the door did not align with the door below).
•An interior ramp had to be redesigned because space was inadequate and the ramp was to steep.
•The drawings stated ductless mini air conditioning. No heat in the mudroom, laundry or loft (aka bedroom) was provided. We advised Mr. Derosa that the electric heat on the plans was not adequate to heat the apartment.
•The lighting and plumbing fixtures supplied by Tim D. did not comply with the MA
plumbing or electrical code and had to swapped.

IV The national weather service reported an average of 17.4125” of snow fell between
the months of December thru March 2018. Weather caused delays because we
were forced to start work in December verses October of 2017.
•Tim D’s snow removal did not clear the full length of the driveway or salt. Our crews and suppliers could not gain access and were turned away. Our supervisor wacked his head on the pavement due to the ice on the driveway (and broke a set of eye ware). At our cost we provided labor to obtain and spread salt (that Derosa begrudgingly reimbursed) on the driveway several times.
•Power outages occurred in the month of January 2018.

Materials purchased by the Tim D were drop shipped and left in the driveway. Until we moved Tim D’s purchase into the house and then moved the materials around due to being in the way.

We advise Mr. Tim Derosa that we did not budget for meetings for our staff with an Architect, yet the Architect kept insisting on having a weekly meeting even when the project was stopped.

It is upsetting to hear that Mrs. Jean Derosa was upset with the work, according to the plumber and electrician they observed our superintendent assisting Mrs. Jean D (mother) to the car to go to her doctor’s appointments on 3 separate occasions. On one occasion we provide a generator when the power went out so that Mrs. Jean D could watch television. We were stunned to learn Mrs. Jean D passed away, we sent flowers with our condolences and will miss the loss of this talented artist.

During this time Tim D took a trip to Europe and had not advised anyone. He was unreachable for 3 months and did not communicate his intentions. The contract in place had a specified time for payment of invoices.

We acknowledge the unique challenges of this project but stand by our work and all of the courtesies extended to the D family to complete the contract. We have countless clients who appreciate our work and our attention to detail and the laws of MA. We would happily invite anyone who is interested to speak with the Andover officials about the quality of our workmanship or the any of the facts.

We regret we cannot please everyone all the time.