Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/13/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnresolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  In early June SO-CAL Construction poured me a foundation for my barn, they did an amazing job. I was pleased with the final results as well as our interactions. Due to this I made a verbal agreement with them to do additional work for me in August.In late August I had a verbal contact with SO-CAL Construction regarding future concrete flat work.The contract was to drill and pin roughly a 36'x30' apron reinforced with rebar.Pour roughly a 6'x10' sidewalk, with radiused edge and reinforced wire connecting to the apron.Pour a12'x30' patio with reinforced wire and radiused edge to connect all three.The agreed price for the flat work was $5,200. This included all materials and labor.In addition to this I made a plan to rent his telescopic truck/bucket for $500.I was so pleased with the initial work that took place in June that I added in $300 dollars as a good faith/tip. Bringing the total cost to $6000 even, which I paid in full via check prior to any work being completed.The work was completed, but was not done per our agreement. The concrete garage apron was not pinned to the foundation nor was it reinforced with rebar.The sidewalk was not reinforced with wire nor did it have the radiused edge.The patio was not reinforced with wire nor did it have the radiused edge.In addition to this, I also no longer needed the telescopic bucket that I already paid $500 for.I asked SO-CAL for a total refund of $800. $500 for the telescopic bucket rental (that I did not use) and the $300 for the good faith/tip (as I do not think SO-CAL held up their end of the agreement). SO-CAL did reimburse me for $250, but still owes me an additional $550. I reached out to SO-CAL by phone and text for the remaining $550 but have not gotten any results. I'm asking the BBB to help me with the $550 balance as I think it is owed to me and is actually a small amount based on all the reasons listed above in addition to not getting the quality or workmanship that was agreed to.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/20/2023

  The verbal agreement was completed by Sol-Cal Construction without a contract because *** the homeowner,agreed to help with the additional concrete as a laborer and was included in each step of the installation. During the initial planning, we planned for mesh and rebar. ** said he had left over mesh we can use. ** dug for the apron and sidewalks 14 deep and sidewalks are typically 4 deep. We had to use gravel from his driveway to bring up the apron and sidewalks to 6 and with the extra thickness of the concrete, mesh and rebar would not be needed. *** instead changed the concrete mix to a #6 bag with fiber mesh that costs more than the original #4 bag with mesh and rebar. *** did not raise the price and absorbed that additional cost. Another additional cost *** did not charge ** for was the septic pipe had to be extended past the new concrete patio so a hole was dug by ***-Cal by hand 2 deep by 12 long by ************************************ lifts to be returned to grade.
  ** was present when the forms were set without radius and was present and made the decision with ***-Cal to leave out the bent mesh he had left over and the rebar. Both ** and ***-Cal were present the day concrete was poured and there were no issues. ** wrote a check in the amount of $6,000.00 the day the concrete was finished and even paid for lunch to show his appreciation.
  ***-Cal brought back gravel for the driveway under an agreement that ** would pay an additional $300.00 for the gravel which was taken off the final bill because ** didnt feel he should have to pay for material used from his property. *** gave ** a break on the price and delivered the gravel for free. *************** planned to have the telescopic lift delivered later in the week. The day came that *** could take the telescopic lift from another job site, *** called ** when he was in route and ** told him he already cut the trees down without the lift and he doesnt need to rent it anymore. There was no communication the lift rental was canceled until the call was made to confirm the lift was in route. ** requested a $250 reimbursement for not using the lift so Sol-Cal Construction mailed a check the same day to **s home address in the amount of $250.00. Less than 6 days later, ** called *** threatening to take him to small claims court if the $250.00 is not be reimbursed. *** called ** back 3 times to tell him the check was mailed the week prior with no answer/ no reply from **. 2 days after,the check was cashed in by ** and then 10 days later, he contacted the BBB with his complaint. ***-Cal honored the verbal agreement and ** paid in full. ***-Cal does not agree to pay any additional reimbursements. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/23/2023

   
  Complaint: 20599364
  
  I am rejecting this response because: ******************* lack of credibility comes as no surprise to me.  At no time did I agree to be part of So Cal's payroll, shame on you *******  The leftover wire mesh he is referring to is actually from the initial pour of the garage, which he damaged "beyond repair" (his words) with the machine and left at my house, I still have the wire mesh to prove it.  Shame on you *******  *** dug the sidewalk and apron, I did however dig the patio.  I dug it to the standard concrete spec which is 4" fill and 4" concrete, to make 8" below grade.  Nowhere was the patio dug at 14", shame on you *******  Because the dig was at trade level all *** needed was 4" gravel which was already paid for originally. Nowhere is the concrete 6" thick, let alone containing the rebar and wire mesh.  Shame on you ***. In the documentation obtained on August 8th from the concrete company, nowhere does it show fiber mesh and number 6 bag. Have the documents to prove it.  Shame on you *******  In reference to the septic pipe, *** knew it needed to be extended past to the patio prior to the initial bid, it was discussed in depth and *** was aware.  Shame on you ***. I was there when he was working on the forms, but never did we discuss leaving out the rebar or wire mesh.  The next thing I knew, the concrete truck arrived and was being poured.  I did not notice the lack of the radiused edge until the concrete was pouring.  Furthermore, there was never an attempt to pin the rebar to the garage foundation as per verbal contact.  I would like to note that I did buy the crew lunch, but that was prior to the concrete trucks showing up. I did pay *** in full, the $5700 and the $300 tip ($500 of which was for the bucket/telescopic lift truck that I didn't end up using).  I don't even know what *** is talking about in regards to the $300 cost break for material/delivery, so I have nothing to comment on in regards to that.  The statement in relation to the incident with the lift is a complete fabrication.  I called *** as a courtesy to let him know I no longer needed the lift. He DID NOT contact me, nor was he enroute to me as we had never set a time or date for use.  *** even mentioned when I called him that if I hadn't let him know, he would have wasted his time getting it to me. I didn't not request a $250 reimbursement, I requested a $800 refund.  *************** did send me a check for $250 which was noted as "overpayment of concrete".  Have a check memo to prove it.  Nothing referring to the lift rental.  I did text *************** about small claims court as he is still $550 short of the $800 refund I believe I'm owed.  I am unsure why *** keeps failing to mention the $300 good faith tip I gave him prior to the work being done and believe I deserve back as he did not live up to his end of the agreement. I did cash the $250 check as I was concerned that if I didn't and raised a complaint he would put a stop payment on it.  From my point of view $250 was not the $800 I am owed, but at least it was something. Last but not least, nowhere in my  recent calls or texts does it show that *************** ever tried to contact me.  ******** am assuming you are not looking in the mirror as you make the accusations, shame on you.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

  Business Response

  Date: 09/29/2023

  Again, the reason for the verbal contract and not a signed written contract was due to **s participation in the project. This was completed by *************** and ** as a new friend to help a friend out. If Sol-Cal Construction dug for base, set the forms, poured, and finished the concrete and removed the forms the next day, this would have been completed under a signed contract. ** was present to make all decisions at every step of the process including leaving out the rebar. The mesh left behind from the first job was destroyed and ** was the one who wanted to keep it for scrap. It was discussed to use this mesh but once the time came to use it, it was damaged beyond repair and ** chose not to unroll it to attempt to use it, he decided to leave out the mesh. *** offered a laborer to assist, and ** declined. The fiber mesh was added to the concrete from bags supplied by ***,not the concrete company. *** was under the impression this was all worked out with the $250 refund check and is unsure what changed ** mind and wanting additional reimbursement. This could have been discussed with a phone call by ** but instead he contacted the BBB against Sol-Cal Construction. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/07/2023

   
  Complaint: 20599364
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  In response to ***'s statement about having a written contract if they did all the work, his lack of credibility increases.  Except for digging the patio, So Cal construction did all the digging, set the forms, poured the concrete and removed the forms the next day.  I was present during the pour, the rebar was left out and never discussed. Knowing that the wire mesh was damaged by *** in the original pour, figured he would replace it as needed, per verbal contract. At no time did I or *************** and I attempt to unroll the mesh. After obtaining documentation of the concrete mix showing no fiber mesh was added, *** backtracks and claims to have added the bags in manually.  Being part of his "crew" (his words, not mine), I was there and NO fiber mesh was added. There's no way to add the mesh in while it's being poured.  Even the BBB won't buy that line ***. The $250 refund check was only half of the original $500 rental on the lift. I want the $250 balance due back AND the $300 good faith tip refunded.  I feel the tip should be returned to me as it was provided prior to the second round of work being done and was given in good faith that he'd complete the work per our verbal contact.  That is not what happened, therefore I believe I should be refunded this amount as well. ***'s last response stated that he tried to contact me on four different occasions.  This is not true, as previously noted, I have phone records to prove these calls do not exist,  *** now claims that this all could have been discussed had I just called him. Furthermore, the records show that I not only phoned ***, but I texted him as well.  With all the documentation, photos and videos I have, it is mind blowing that you continue to backtrack every response with fabrication. I feel as though I have no choice but to see you in court. This is my last response, hoping *** will do the honest and truthful thing by refunding me the $550 I deserve. 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

  Business Response

  Date: 10/22/2023

  In response to **'s reply. We completed the job together, you paid in full when the job was done, you did not rent the lift as agreed upon so I refunded half the cost of the $500.00 lift rental fee and sent a check for $250.00. This should have been the end of this ordeal. If you had any concerns while the work was being performed, you could have mentioned it then and we would have addressed it, not 3 weeks after the concrete was poured. And respectfully, you cannot gift someone a 'good faith' tip and then demand it is returned to you. Because you chose to discredit Sol-Cal Construction to the BBB and act like you were not present for the work performed at your house, I am prepared to see you in court. At that time we can discuss how you fraudulently obtained records from the concrete company. Sol-Cal Construction holds a business account and identification is required before any documentation on an order is given or any information pertaining to the business account is released. 
  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/29/2023

   
  Complaint: 20599364
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Because you prefer to desecrate on such a biblical name, from this day going forward I will address you as "Midget Man".  The only fraud going on in this dispute is you "Midget Man".  Because of your predictability I have all the documentation needed regarding the 14" over dig, the 6" thick concrete, the missing fabric in the concrete, my phone records, etc, etc.  When the existing concrete comes out not only will you be held liable for the replacement, you will also be held accountable for the demolition and removal.   Among your other talents, I really like your interpretation of a good faith tip, I didn't know you were a philosopher as well.    Obviously money means more to you than your word and reputation.   You'll have one final chance to put credibility, dignity and trust back to your name.  Keep in mind social media has a way of exposing people like you "Midget Man   This is my last message to you and the Better Business Bureau. Any future contact will come from the Attorney General from the State of ********. 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************