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Complaint Details
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Initial Complaint
03/13/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the drafting services provided by Nick H., who I hired in July 2022 to create plans for a residential remodel project. The process has been excessively protracted, and the communication from Mr. H, has been inadequate. A primary component of this remodel involved raising a large steel beam in the living room area. I have been informed on countless occasions that the engineer requested revisions, with months passing between each update, citing this as the reason for the delays. The first set of sealed plans was not received until March 2023, and upon review, it became apparent that substantial information was lacking. These plans included unnecessary work, such as the installation of oversized footers and the rebuilding of exterior walls, when interior support could have been added instead. After my contractor discussed these concerns with Mr. H. he was told that the exterior work was a mistake and these issues would be rectified. Unfortunately, the next set of sealed plans, provided on September 7th, 2023, had REPLACED the steel beam, rather than raise the existing beam as promised, which would incur an additional $20,000+ in costs. My contractor suggested using LVL instead, which initiated another cycle of revisions that spanned several months. The final set of sealed plans was not received until December 28th, 2023. Regrettably, even with these latest plans, the footers are oversized, which will result in significant additional expenses. Furthermore, the plans still include the unnecessary replacement of an exterior wall, despite the possibility of adding interior support instead. After nearly two years, I am still awaiting a satisfactory set of plans from Mr. H. This situation has been highly frustrating and has caused considerable delays and unforeseen costs for my project. I would appreciate your assistance in resolving this matter promptly and professionally.Initial Complaint
03/14/2022
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Answered
On Dec 21, 2021 Nick Holmes with Holmes Drafting was contracted to provide designs for replacing the sheathing and siding for my home along with a design for extending our deck. He discussed that the sheathing was fairly easy and I would have it by the end of the week although the deck would take a bit more time. On January 7th, 2022 the sheathing design was shipped. Upon reviewing it, the design had the incorrect materials, we are using 7/16 zip and Nick had put minimum 1/2 plywood. I contacted Nick and he discussed to turn them into the county and if we need an amendment he would supply it. I submitted the designs to the county on January 13th, the plans were kicked back by the county on the 9th of February for multiple discrepancies. Wrong materials, the wind zone was incorrect and there was design work that was not annotated as existing structure and was considered new work that would be inspected. I altered Nick and his team on the issues and provided information to Lucas S. on February 9, 2022. On the 14th I was provided with digital revision which my county does not accept and asked for a hard copy and alerted Nick and his team to discrepancies with the date on the plans. From this point on I cannot get any information on my plans. Nick and his team will not reply to any emails asking for a status. Over the last month I have sent multiple emails to Nick and Lucas with no reply. I have called Lucas multiple times asking for an update. He let me know that the engineer signed them on the 14th of February and Nick H. just needed to pick them up, this was 2 weeks ago. I called Nick H. on the 9th of March he said that he will update on the plans print status and get them to me. I sent an email asking if there was an update on Thursday the 10th of March at 4pm, with no response. When you call Lucas S., he just says I will talk to Nick. This is now a 3 month ordeal, I want my sheathing plans and a refund on the deck design.
Business response
04/11/2022
Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/03/15) */ Andrew's recollection of the timeline of events is accurate up until the 14th of February. The engineer had digitally sealed the sheathing plans and physically sealed the deck plans mistakenly on the 14th. After speaking to Andrew on the 9th, Nick reached out to the printing company that the engineer of record uses as well as the engineer to figure out when the earliest time would be that the revisions could be physically sealed. It was not until the 10th that he was able to make it back by the printer to physically seal the correct documents. Once we were notified that the hard seals were ready, we scheduled a trip to go pick up the physical copies. The revised physical copies were picked up by our office on the 11th and sent to Andrew's residence via FedEx Overnight delivery on 3/11 at 2:46pm (see attachment) with a guaranteed delivery date of 3/14. Although we sympathize with Andrew for the time delay on the first set of drawings, the second set of drawings was completed and sealed on 3/7/22. Andrew stated on the 9th that he does not want to use the drawings that we have provided because he is worried about how long hypothetical revisions may take to be completed. Although that is outside of the allowable cancellation terms in our terms and conditions (attached) we have decided not to pursue the second half of the contract amount. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2022/03/16) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) While my timeline may be off, it is only because Nick and his team will not respond to emails or return a call on any updates. I can only speak on my side and the way I have been treated as a customer. Yes I did receive my sheathing drawings on the 14th of March. No Nick did not send any tracking or information, nor did he return my call after the 9th of March where he said he would check on the print shop or return my email on the 10th of March at 4pm asking for an update. At the time of submitting this complaint, I had no idea they were on the way as again Nick and his team will not return calls or reply to emails asking for updates. I do not understand how the deck was signed and sealed accidentally. As shown in the emails provided, Lucas S. sent rough preliminary plans with no structural components on the 4th of February. I asked for changes which were sent to me on the 7th of February, again this has no structural components and was a rough sketch. When talking to Lucas S. on March 2nd, again trying to get information on what was going on with the sheathing design, Lucas discussed that he was going back and forth with the Engineer on revisions to meet code. I had concerns after the call about the structural design he discussed, which I emailed to Lucas which of course received no reply as shown in the email provided. Nick calls my concerns around deck revisions hypothetical but according to Nick they do tons of sheathing designs and they are minimal work yet it took 3 months and a revision. As discussed in my original compliant, the original sheathing design was completely incorrect from wind zone to the materials being used. I do not know what the current deck design looks like, they say it is done but do not have Florida Approval numbers for any railings or components and I have not seen a finished design or any update on what is going on since March 2nd. But it was signed and sealed on the 7th of March without even a review from me? As a customer my concerns are not only around revisions but Nick and his teams inability to respond or reply. Now that I raised concerns, he is stealing my deposit of $625 from me as retribution. He feels that he can take as much time as he needs, submit completely incorrect plans, have the wrong unfinished plans sealed and then he and his team essentially ghost me until it suits them and if you have a concern he will just keep the money that you paid for another project. This is extremely unacceptable business practices. I should be refunded the $625 or provided some type of resolution. There is no excuse for taking peoples money and not even have the common courtesy to return a phone call or reply to an email. I am providing pictures of my calls through out Feb and March to Nicks office, not once have they ever returned my call around these issues.
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