ComplaintsforFlorida Construction Specialists LLC

• Initial Complaint

  10/27/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Contractor is running a project on our condo building of tearing down current balconies and repairing/building new ones. While doing so they boarded up with plywood our back sliders so you cannot access the balconies while under construction. Mine became lose and eventually came off to the point where the contractors had to rehang/screw the plywood on the slider. I did not give any OK to do this and there was never an estimate given to me beforehand but as soon as the 20 minute job was complete I was handed an invoice/bill of $1375 and expected to pay. Clearly these are not accurate costs of what it cost to fix/repair as well as there were additional line items there were not even damaged and/or repair that are relevant to this bill. I would like to be refunded the the parts of the invoice that were not repaired and/or allow me to have a 2nd opinion here to see what the accurate cost would be.

  Business response

  12/02/2021

  Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2021/11/04) */ Update, contractor was willing to reduce the bill to $800 which I have already wrote a check for/paid but I still believe I was overcharged for what was actually repaired (re-hanging 2 beers of plywood). All I'm asking is a 2nd opinion and/or a refund of $400 which should be more than enough to cover what was actually fixed/repaired. Also, the owners son is the foreman and lives in this same building. While taking my dogs out he agreesivley got in my face threatening me with legal action to take this better business complaint down and if not yelling "it's going to cost you more money). Instead of contacting the police I reached out to his father (Frank) and let him know as a courtesy call this time but if it happened again I would be calling the authorities. Frank said he would speak to his son (Christian) and would make sure his son would keep his distance. Business Response /* (4000, 10, 2021/11/15) */ I am responding to your correspondence regarding case # ******** : ************. Let me start by informing you that this project involves rebuilding and retro fitting 116 balconies that have been deemed in an "imminent state of collapse". I am sure you are aware of the Surfside Florida collapse issue, as well as the evacuation of Crestview Towers in N. Miami, Florida. This project is St. Petersburg's version of the same. Originally, the City of St. Petersburg wanted to evacuate the building; however, through proper shoring and fencing/detours, we were able to keep the unit owners and tenants in their units while the work continues. The balconies have NO railings and are shored up so they do not collapse while we methodically perform construction. NO ONE is allowed on the balconies unless they are harnessed and tied off as per OSHA specifications. All of the balconies are boarded up and the message is clearly spelled out, "DO NOT GO NEAR THE BACLONIES!" Mr. *****, who is not a unit owner, merely a tenant, decided to defy the notice, break down the board-up, and go onto the balcony. Mr. ***** either did not understand, or more likely care about, the gravity of the situation. Our Liability Insurance Carrier, as well as everyone else's, would not tolerate this action. You are mote than welcome to meet me on-site where you can see and fully grasp the issues. Furthermore, you can discuss this matter with OSHA, the chief fire marshal, the director of the St. Petersburg building department, or the threshold engineer. Every one of them is aware of this project and the potential hazards surrounding this project. We do nt have time to pull workers off the project to 'babysit' tenants and re-board up their decks. I reduced Mr. *****'s bill from $1375 to $800 after discussing the matter with him, which he has paid. I respectfully request that you remove this complaint, or we will have no choice but to engage the services of our attorney to address this farce. Regards, Frank B. Consumer Response /* (4200, 12, 2021/11/17) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) The complaint is to contest the invoice/bill that I paid versus the work that was actually done (rehanging of two boards). Frank is absolutely correct, the original bill was $1,375 and he was willing to lower it to $800 which I am appreciative of but even so I still believe I was significantly overcharged an absorbent amount. Also, at that time I was willing to write check for that amount not because I thought it was fair but because my landlord and myself were being threaten in an accusatory letter that was posted on every tenants door (for some reason) that states: "Unfortunately the unit owner/landlord will be issued a substantial invoice as well as a potential lien and lawsuit". Even in that letter it says substantial which clearly shows this was premediated instead of actual repair costs. Also, there was a letter sent directly to my landlord which I received a copy of stating "We expect payment on our invoice immediately. Should we not receive payment by November 8, 2021 we will have no choice but to file a lien against the property and a lawsuit as well. At that point, you can expect to be liable for attorney's fees and all associated filing fees, etc." Moving forward, I would like to focus on the complaint and get some kind of explanation on what I was charged versus the repairs. I have the original bill in front of me and it's uploaded to this complaint as well. I would like to go line by line and have reached out to a few of the board members of the condo association for guidance and information with they were happy to provide me. Machinery operation charge $100 - the board told me the machine (bucket truck) is already paid for daily (stays on site). Also, the operator Christian (Frank's son and who lives in the building) is also already paid weekly. Material to re-secure wood $46 - the same two boards were re-hung and the board disclosed any material (4-8 screws) that they may needed as well has already provided/paid for. Labor to remove old damaged screws and re secure wood $300 - the board informed me that Christian who is the foreman and Frank's son and the person who presented me the invoice as well as did the repairs gets paid from our board/building $850 a week per this job which is roughly $21.25 an hour. It took Christian all of 15-20 minutes to rehang two boards. Even if I round that up to 30 minutes, why am I being charged a rate of $600 an hour and/or $24,000 a week? Material to repair aluminum slider frame $200 - This is something that was never damaged and/or repaired. Also per the board, if there was any damage (which there is not) the slider would be something that is not considered part of this balcony project and something I would have to discuss/repair directly with my landlord. Labor to repair aluminum slider frame $200 - This is something that was never damaged and/or repaired. Also per the board, if there was any damage (which there is not) the slider would be something that is not considered part of this balcony project and something I would have to discuss/repair directly with my landlord. Profit - $114.50 - I'm more than happy to let Frank further explain this, especially for a job that you're already be paid for. Overhead - $114.50 - I'm more than happy to let Frank further explain this, especially for a job that you're already be paid for. This incident happened late Saturday afternoon 10/23/21, the repairs were not done until mid to late Monday morning 10/25/21 (during normal business hours) at which time despite all the line items and reduced bill all that actually happened was Christian/equipment/materials (that is already paid for) re hung the same two boards and I paid an unjustified $800 basically to protect my landlord. I would be more than happy to either close/remove this complaint if Frank would like to reaccess what I have already paid ($800) versus the work that was completed and present me with an updated bill/invoice that is much more reasonable and/or ethical. If not, at the very least I would ask him to let a neutral contractor with less emotional attachment give a proper estimate (2nd opinion) on what the cost should be on what was actually repaired.

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