Westerly man wronged by contractor, needs home
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Benjamin Servideo. I am requesting financial help for my close friend, Dennis Shea. Dennis is a 74-year-old Westerly resident, a devout Catholic, and a friend and helper to whoever crosses his path. Right now, though, it is he who needs help. In 2022, Dennis and his wife knocked down their old home on Harbor Drive in Westerly to build a better home for them to live in. While the home was being built, they moved in with their son.
Over the past year, Dennis has contracted with a state-licensed contractor to construct a modular home that needed to be placed on pilings due to a flood plain. The contractor worked independently from the modular home manufacturer and was known for constructing many homes. After the pilings were set, Dennis notified the civil engineer, who stated the contractor needed to have the pilings to be certified before the completion of the home.
Unfortunately, the contractor refused to comply and moved ahead with the project.
Subsequently, the modular home was placed on the pilings.
Then the house was completed according to the remaining plans.
On June 20, 2023, when it came time to get the certificate of occupancy, the pilings were found to be 22 inches too short by the building inspector. Dennis notified the contractor and he told Dennis that they were correct. At the same time, he also told Dennis that he was leaving the country that upcoming week. The contractor's name is Atilla Keller of RICONN Homes. He is currently in in the country of Hungary and has no plans to return. Atilla has refused to correct his mistakes, and his insurance company has stated that his mistake will not be covered.
The town building inspector and structural and civil engineers stated that the new home was not in compliance with building codes and that no variance would be granted. Dennis was told that the pilings need to be completely replaced or else occupancy would not be granted.
Dennis's estimated cost to correct these mistakes and be able to move into his new home is now over $100,000. This will require more cash he no longer has. He has also incurred attorney fees and maxed out credit with the banks.
Dennis is a blue-collar guy who is not well off. It is a modest home that he and his wife were looking forward to retirement in. He is now left with a mountain of debt, and no house to live in. He and his wife are currently living with his son because they have nowhere else to go.
Please help my friend and his wife to be able to move into the home that they have spent their life savings on. May God bless you for any help you can give, it is truly appreciated.
Thank you
Dennis has provided bona fide witnesses below if anyone wants to cross-reference details. (I don't know why GoFundMe is blocking the numbers for the witnesses but you can just google it)
1.) Scott Erricson is the structural engineer with E-2 Engineering in New London.
• (860) [phone redacted]
2.) Anthony Nenna is the civil engineer with On-Site Engineering in Westerly.
• (401) [phone redacted]
3.) David Murphy is the Building Inspector with the Town of Westerly
• (401) [phone redacted]
4.) Attorney Harry Hoopis in Warwick.
• (401) [phone redacted]
Organizer and beneficiary
Benjamin Servideo
Organizer
Westerly, RI
dennis shea
Beneficiary