ComplaintsforPyramid Painters

• Initial Complaint

  05/28/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I hired *****************************, owner of Pyramid Painters, LLC, to replace the gutters on my home. The estimate for the gutters was a total of $2,238.36, which was itemized as $800 for labor and $1,438.36 for materials. The work was started on April 12. It was completed on May 2. After inspection, I discussed with **************, the following: (1) of the ************************* the paid estimate, only 2 had been used, and (2) the original downspout in the back of the house, which was bent, had not been removed and replaced with a new one, just painted over. I have requested a refund for 14 gutter clips in the amount of $56 (listed in estimate @ $4 each) and for 1 downspout in the amount of $25 (9 listed in estimate @ $25 each). After not hearing back from him about the refund, my daughter contacted him on 5/21 and he told her he would drop by later on Tuesday with the refund. However, he never came by and my daughter contacted him again. ************** now refuses to issue the refund. He claims the number of trips he had to make to find parts/materials, his time and gas, and additional purchase of screws, gutter sealant, downspout extension, etc. exceeds the refund amount requested. However, gutter sealant, 6 @ $12 each, was included in his estimate and my original downspout extension was the only one used and was placed on the original downspout in the back of the house. ************** has not provided receipts showing the expenditure for the original estimate of $1,438.36 for materials.

  Business response

  06/17/2024

  ***************************** was notified in person and by phone call that her on the back of her home were not installed correctly and the parts we purchased and painted could not be returned.  New down spouts and gutter elbows 3in in size had to be purchased with the twist angle at the top.  These are not easily and readily available parts to find and this was communicated numerous time to the homeowner and her daughter. 4 additional trips to different stores were needed to gather all the parts necessary to install this gutter. The contract ******************* signed and agreed to list our fees for materials pickup and delivery outside of what was listed in the estimate.  $50 x 4 trips was due by ******************* and not paid.  ******************* also received additional free services: Roof cleaning, interior ceiling stains painted for free we did not bill her for.  We explained politely and respectfully that time and fuel were 2 full days over 80 miles of driving to collect these parts and we would have already exceeded the $80 refund she is requesting. We stand by not issuing a refund because the service rendered and due exceed the expected amount requested

  Customer response

  06/18/2024

   
  Complaint: 21754583
  
  I am rejecting this response because: The contract clear states there is a $50 delivery fee for each trip for materials and supplies when customer furnished materials (See attached photo in which ************** highlighted this in the contract and texted to me). I did not directly purchase any materials for this job that required him to pick up such materials. ************** came out, looked at what was needed and prepared an estimate. The old gutter system set-up was obvious to him at the time of his inspection and he would have or should have determined what was needed to replace the gutter system. ************** came out on 4/12 and without notifying me, left without completing the job. I texted him on 4/15 to ask when to expect him to return. He mentioned he needed to find parts.He returned on 4/17 and again, without notifying me, he left without completing the job. I texted him again on 4/22 to ask when to expect him to return. He returned on 4/27. However, this time after he left without notifying me, he texted me that he had finished. I went outside to inspect the work and I then called him about the back downspout issues as well as the downspout cap issue. He agreed and came back out, but did not replace the old downspout. He just painted over it. Attached is a photo of receipts he texted to us after my daughter contacted him. The job was started on 4/12. The receipt with that date, which includes a military discount, shows amount paid was $250.85. The only other receipt with a clear date is dated 4/18, with a total of $61.40, with a military discount.  Again, ************** should at least provide me with receipts showing the original expenditure of the $1,357 for parts listed in the contract and receipts showing extra expenditures over and above the $1,357 to help settle this matter.  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

  Business response

  06/30/2024

  Attached we are including the contract and terms that ***************************** signed and agreed to.  These terms were clear, and all work was completed as promised. The contract highlights that we charge $80.00 for each trip to pick up materials.  We reduced that amount to only $50.00 for *************************** and did not receive payment for these services as agreed to by the contract.  The contract *************************** signed also clearly states (Line 7) the estimate does not cover material and labor needed after the contract has started necessary to complete the job.  The age and condition of ******************* home the issues at hand could not be foreseen; the parts that fit all the other sections would not fit correctly on the back corner of her home.

  We called ******************* by phone when this problem was discovered and had her come out into the yard and explained in detail the issue. 
  We also purchased other materials that were not listed on the invoice that were needed to complete the install of *************************** gutters. ******************* is wanting us as a company to account for each and every screw, nail and part that was needed for her install and thats not reasonably possible with any construction project.  

  We have also attached screenshots of the conversation with *************************** and her daughter *********************, detailing the pieces and why the change was necessary to complete the installation of the gutters.  No complaints in any of *********************** complaints to the Better Business Bureau, related to the quality, craftsmanship or install of her gutters because all work was completed as promised by Pyramid Painters LLC. 

  
  We will not refund $81.00 to *******************, due to her not paying the agreed upon fees in the contract she signed. Nothing about our actions were misleading or ambiguous. At this point we demand no negative publication about Pyramid Painters LLC, related to this matter be publicly posted.  And demand *************************** retract any negative statements or writing concerning this matter. 

  
  

  Customer response

  06/30/2024

   
  Complaint: 21754583
  
  I am rejecting this response because: ************* was contracted to install a new gutter system on my house. I trusted him to do the installation AND, old house or not, after surveying my house, he prepared his estimate. After two weeks of not completing the job, he said he was having a hard time finding parts because my house is old. My house was built in 1981. Wasn't the age of the house apparent when he first surveyed it and prepared his estimate? His initial lack of foresight about the parts that would be needed has no bearing on my refund for parts I paid for and he clearly did not use. Downspouts are not hard to find and fit on any type of house as do downspout clips.

  ***************** response that all work was completed as promised is not true, evidenced by my photos that he did not totally install all new parts that I paid $1,357 for to replace the "old "gutter system. Clearly, he did not install 1 new downspout in the back of my house. When I questioned him about it, he admitted his guys did not replace it, He came back the next day and still did not replace it. He painted over it.  Nor did he used 14 downspout clips in the installation.  Furthermore, the photos he submitted of the house only show the gutter and gutter guard installation, which I have no problems with AND is not the issue.

  He states he will not refund $81 due to my not paying him $50 for picking up materials. This is a perfect example of ambiguity in his contract. So, in his contract when a customer pays the money for materials and he uses that money to go purchase the materials, the customer is liable for $50 because he picked up what he purchased with the money the customer paid him? But, let's be clear. I was NEVER charged $50 NOR asked to pay $50. I also never purchased any of the materials myself and asked ************** to go pick this up. 

  ************* states, "We also purchased other materials that were not listed on the invoice that were needed to complete the install".  This can all be cleared up if ************** would provide evidence of a receipt or receipts showing he spent the initial $1,357 on the materials listed in the original invoice and receipts showing the "other materials" he mentioned he had to purchase. Can ************** provide evidence or is he willing to provide evidence he spent the initial $1,357 on materials listed in the original invoice? Can ************** provide evidence or is he willing to provide evidence he installed a new downspout on the back of my house? Can ************** provide evidence or is he willing to provide evidence of where he used those 14 gutter clips on my house?

  Lastly, with my evidence in hand, I stand by any statements I have made regarding this issue AND will stand by any statements I choose to make in the future, publicly or privately, regarding this issue.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

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