In December 2020, plaintiff and defendant Ashley Homes Construction Company LLC contracted for defendants to install a modular home on plaintiff's property. According to plaintiff, certain deficiencies in the construction of the home were brought to defendants' attention and were ultimately unaddressed. Thereafter, plaintiff retained counsel and made a prelitigation demand to defendants by a letter on March 4, 2022, identifying various issues with the home and demanding that defendants reimburse him for the costs associated with remediating and repairing the property. Defendants responded to the letter, in essence denying that they were responsible for any deficiencies and asserting that they had fully performed under the contract. Plaintiff responded to this letter on April 11, 2022, advising defendants that he disagreed with their assessment, and that if they did not submit a counteroffer to plaintiff's request for damages within 10 days, plaintiff would commence litigation. Having received no response, plaintiff commenced this action by summons and complaint in June 2022, asserting causes of action for breach of contract, breach of warranty and breach of warranty of habitability, and served John Hommel, defendants' managing member, that same month. After the time to respond had passed, plaintiff moved for a default judgment in September 2022. In response, defendants cross-moved to vacate their default and for permission to interpose an answer. Supreme Court granted plaintiff's motion and denied defendants' cross-motion, determining that defendants had failed to demonstrate a reasonable excuse for their delay in appearing in the action. Defendants appeal.