ComplaintsforMillennium Contracting & Construction Services Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  17/05/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On August 13, 2020 we signed a contract with Millenium Contracting & Construction Services to have a small deck built at the front entry to our home. A 50% deposit of $3500.00 was paid on August 13/20. Invoice # **** Project #***** The anticipated commencement date was August 26/20 with an estimated time for completion of 2-3 days. The initial start date was delayed because alterations had to be made to the deck plans to conform to the City of Winnipeg building bylaws. Further delays, according to the company, were the result of the pandemic. We initiated numerous phone calls and texts during the summer/autumn 2021 regarding the status of the project but received non-committal replies. On December 15, 2021 a termination contract was signed with an administrative fee of $415.00 and a refund owing of $3085.00. After waiting 60 days no refund or explanation was given. After inquiring again about the status of the refund, the company stated the cost of materials had gone up but they could build a smaller deck within our budget. We declined due to their insincerity in keeping us informed and inefficient time management. We were asked to sign another termination contract in which the administration fee had increased to $450.00 and a refund owing of $3050.00. There has been no refund or explanation after waiting 60 days. Our texts and phone calls have gone unanswered. Please advise us of our next course of action. *****************

  

  Business response

  24/05/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/05/20) */ We entered into a contract with the clients on the date provided and were given a deposit of $ 3500.00 on August 13, 2020. We then proceeded to complete the application for the required building permit for the deck project. With this being within the early times of the pandemic the City of Winnipeg Building Department was operating at limited capacity and was not open to the public. Therefore we had to rely on emails and contacting the main switchboard for updates on the file. After months of back and forth with the city, it was determined that a variance was required at which we had started the paperwork for this. With the complexity of the process, the customers decided fall of 2021 that they wanted to proceed with simply building a ground deck which, as we were informed by one of the city clerks/Technicians would not require a permit. When we asked for this in writing, months went by as we continued to seek this out from the City. Due diligence, as explained to the customer, was not to begin until we received this documentation. Constructing the said project without a permit or clearance from the city could result in large fines for both our company and the homeowners. This progressed into winter of 2021 in which a preliminary contract termination agreement was completed on December 15, 2021. After completing the agreement, I presented the customers with an alternate option which would give them a nice updated front step and small landing complete with railing as per the design of the original deck for approximately half of the cost of the original contact of $ 7000.00. At this time we agreed to leave the project intact and not cancel it until they had time to think about this option. I therefore shredded the original contact termination. After taking some time to decide on this option, the customers reached out to us in early March and requested now that they cancel the project completely. This was followed by a meeting with the clients on March 10 in which we finalized the contract termination and provided them with a copy. ********************************************** The customers reached out near the end of April for an update on the processing of the refund in which a message was sent to the customer and time/date stamped and marked read by the customer. After indicating at the very beginning of this project, that our company has a strict "refund policy" which is clearly stated in our contracts, we agreed to refund the deposit as the issue with us not being able to complete the project was the City of Winnipeg Building Department not approving the project permit. It was also clearly communicated to the clients that our accountant was dealing with sickness in the family and was going to be slower than usual processing the refund. Our office manager can take care of the day to day invoicing, payments, etc, but for a specialized situation like this, it needed to be completed by the accountant so it was done correctly. The time frame of the issuance of the refund was outlined in the contact termination agreement as it states "Refunds owing shall be issued within 60-90 days of the date of this agreement" This would indicate that the refund shall be issued between May 10/22 and June 10/22. Furthermore we spoke to the clients with an update Tuesday, May 17, 2022, without knowing that a complaint had been filed. We have always returned the clients calls within a reasonable time (24-48 hours) and have provided updates as requested. In addition to this, we, at no point, refused to issue a refund to the customer. As soon as our accountant can get this processed in the books, the clients will receive a refund and it will be in the allocated time frame as per the signed agreement. Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2022/05/23) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.) Thank you for your assistance in this matter. We were not aware the first termination contract was shredded. We will wait for the refund as per the contract termination agreement.

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