ComplaintsforNext Level Construction, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  06/23/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I contracted a general contractor to remodel my entire house, total gut out. I found out about 75% into the remodel that this was only someone that flips houses and takes short cuts and uses the cheapest materials and products while charging premium prices. There are numerous items and things in the contract and change orders that the general contractor did not do or complete and I am still not able to move back into my house. I realized about two months ago that the contractor had no plans on completing the remodel. As the schedule of payments says the remodel was to be completed January 1, 2022. Its six months later and I still have no shower doors, bathroom mirrors and a number of other issues that Ive already fully paid for and have the wavier of liens and cancelled checks as proof. I have the contract, change orders and all the emails that you can view. Unable to upload any documents at this time, I have to get to a scanner. I now have to hire someone else to complete the remodel. The contractor company is called next level construction but he did ask me to make a couple of checks out to Built to last that *** be the name hes under now or lifetime remodelers. Also redmuginvestments I sent some emails there to. Thank you.

  

  Business response

  06/30/2022

  BBB Complaint 6/29
  ************************ is complaining about:
  
  1. He mentioned in the first line that he found out when we were 3/4 complete that we are a flipping house contractor. 
  2. He mentions that we take shortcuts and use the cheapest materials
  3. He mentions that there are numerous things in the house that are part of the contract and change orders that we did not do or complete.
  4. He mentions that he is not able to move back in
  5. He says he realized about two months ago that we had no plans of completing the remodel
  6. He mentioned  in complaint that we were to finish by Jan 2022. 
  7. He says it is six months later and he still has no shower doors bathroom mirrors and a number of other issues that he has already paid for and he has the waiver of liens to prove it
  8. He lastly mentions that the company he hired is called Next Level Construction but he implies it operates under other names.
  9. He mentioned that his desired settlement would be a refund or a billing adjustment.   

  The following are our responses to his BBB complaint:
  1 We are a full-service licensed and insured general contractor with the *************** and our main business is home remodeling. ************************ spent about one year investigating our company including visiting job sites before finally hiring us.  There is a lot of information on our website regarding the type of work we do including reviews which mentions the type of work we do.
   2.  Regarding Shortcuts.  All work done on this property was permitted and approved and inspected by the *************** and all rough and final inspections were completed and approved so no shortcuts could really be taken. We ask that ************************ explain what he means. Also, initially the job was sold for $403,000 and increased after start to $508,279.91. All of the upgrades were discussed and  approved in writing by ************************ and he was actively involved in all material selection.
  
  3.  During project we did walkthroughs and had ************************ sign off on progress. Currently this project is about 99% complete and Customer mentioned there are numerous things that still need to be done. We have been requesting a walk-through to develop a final punchlist for a number of weeks now and we are still waiting for ************************ to comply. He refers to a list developed in Nov. 2021 which we have known about and discussed. There are still a few minor things that need to be done such as shower door and mirror installation as he mentioned. 

  
  4.  The house is in move-in condition as all mechanicals are working. A/C, ********* and electric are functioning fine. Only recently has city approved the final framing inspection which completes all final inspections. We would like to know how home is not in move-in condition
  
  5.. How is it that Mr. realized we had no plans to complete project when during that time we have had final inspections from the city which passed and workers have been present
  
  6.  Work began last May and could have completed by January 2022 except Mr added over ******* in change orders to project which included upgrades to materials, We are attaching signed change orders. The following was added after work began. Break up and rebuild entire basement concrete floor and correct old drain tile system.  Exterior concrete and brick work including bricking in a number of windows, additional window work, more thermal windows added to order, exterior aluminum soffit and facia work, new water line from street, rebuild of staircase inside, backorders on fixtures he chose at Studio 41, backorder of windows by ************ of about 3-4 months. Also the city on rough inspection determined that the attic needed support work which was not part of our original contract and this took some time to do and get another inspection.  It took 2 inspections more but we passed.  This took some time.  Also towards the end of the job ******* framing inspecctor showed up for scheduled appointment and *********************** told him to leave before  inspecting because according to ************************, he didnt like inspectors attitude.   This also held us up for another inspection which got scheduled 3 weeks later and passed. Framing final passed 6/7/22.
  
  7.  There is a very small amount of work to be done to complete.  Our contract states that ************************ is to pay ****** deposit when all final inspections are complete.  That money is due now. 
  
  8.  *********************** makes mention of other company names.  All contracts, change orders, waivers, permit, and invoices are from Next Level Construction Inc.  We dont understand what he is refering to
  
  9.. Regarding a refund as settlement. We would be willing to look at a  credit or refund for any work in contract that is incomplete.   ******  is currently due and could be applied to  this amount. 
  
  Possible Solutions:
  We could complete most things ************************ is asking for.  Our understanding is :
  Thumb drive of video of drain pipe to city connection.  We can do again.
  Solar cap lights on deck posts.  Mr has material there.
  Furnace humidifiers installed.  HVAC tech is waiting for our approval
  Dead bolt on new basement door
  Shower doors and mirrors which have been orderd but not installed yet.  
  ******.00 is due now so we need to collect this or perhaps part of it and have some agreement about this amount to continue. ************************ replied to our letter saying are you kidding regarding this money due.
  ************************ is requesting a refund. It is only fair to let us know what this is for and how much so we can respond.
  We could agree not to do the above and modify the ******.00 amount due.
  
  
  Regarding any additional refunds, we would need to see what parts of original work order (Exhibit A) remain incomplete and be allowed to respond ************************ has a list from November which is attached, and we have addressed each one in writing.  Many have been completed or are not part of the contract.  
  ************************ is not complaining about poor workmanship   He has been involved from about a year before he signed a contract and  was involved with the architect in design and the permit process. He was involved with all material selection, and with our workers at all times. He was present on all inspections.   We are not hearing any quality related complaints which often occurs between contractors and homeowners. As there are always several sides to consider, We have tried to accommodate ************************ thruought project.  We have done costly extras along the way and have not discussed as extras such as rebuild staircase to 2nd floor instead of repair.  We reframed all new windows which was not included.  We rebuilt most of basement drain tile and installed membrane on wall which was not included.  ************************ rejected some fixtures he selected and we tried to accommodate him by reordering and absorbing costs.  Perhaps unnoticed is that we incurred supply and city delays and increased costs which we did not pass on.  We think this could be resolved with some cooperation.  Please reach out to us if any more info or documentation is needed.

   

   

  Customer response

  07/12/2022

   
  

  I reject the contractor's response.

  
  

  The contractor with which I signed a contract with was called next level construction located at ****************************************************************************************** http:www.nextlevelchicago.com  Employer identification number 32-0551840 ************************* ******************************************* who said he was the owner.

  The contracting that I made the first few checks out to was next level construction. Mark Halperin than said to make out a check to build to last construction he also goes under a name of *******************. At one point Mark Halperin called me and said that a check that I wrote him was on hold. I immediately called my bank and my bank said the check been paid by my bank. Mark Halperin's bank was the one with the hold on the check from him. 

  
  

  This was to be a total remodel gut out job from top to bottom. During the gut out phase the guys only showed up an average of two times a week. When I asked why they told me that, "we have to go where he sends us. After the guys doing the gut out leave, I would do a walk through and find crushed beer cans stuffed between the walls. During the demo all of my window screens were damaged, and my fireplace mantel and floor directly in front of the fireplace was destroyed. I pointed this out to ************************* and ************************* the guy ************************* said was the project manager. Both said that the screens and fireplace mantel and floor directly in front of the fireplace would be replaced, the screens or the fireplace mantel or floor to this day have not been replaced. 

  
  

  Several major things in the contract were not done. There were plywood floors to be installed in the attic that were not. The attic walls were to get insulated they were not. The original contract stated three whirlpools' tubs were to be installed only one was installed and it doesn't work. The frames on three of the bathroom doors does not touch the thresholds. There's a very visible gap between the bottom of the door frame and the thresholds. In the basement office the duck work is very uneven from the closet door trim the duck work is directly above the trim work and it is very noticeable. I pointed this out to the project manager ************************* and he said he would have his guys take care of it. Nothing has been done about it to this day. Four of the electrical outlets in that same room does not work, I also pointed that out to ************************* when I pointed out the uneven duck work again, he said he would have his guys take care it nothing was done. The ceiling in the basement and some in other parts of the house is uneven I pointed this out to the project manager Jorge Cartain he said that was because the rafters where uneven. I told him that's the reason a gut out was done you knew that some rafters were uneven you could have corrected it instead of trying to cover it up with dry wall. ***** Cartain was dumbfounded no response. My front and rear doorbells were never replaced nor was my front yard lights. The contract calls for cast iron pipes to be installed, they were not the cheaper PCV piping was installed. I never got any of my bathroom accessories, mirrors, shower doors, or tower cabinets. Humidifiers were to be installed on both furnaces they were not. Laundry ********************* were to be installed; they were not. The contract calls for Glass French Doors to be installed in the sunroom, (Glass French Doors were there prior to the remodel) no doors were installed at all. In the original contract my front door overhang was to be replaced it was not. The new basement door by code is supposed to have a deadbolt on it. I brought this ** in one of the lists of items not done and, in an email, dated Feb. 20, 2022 sent by Jorge Cartain he said *** will install it in the next few days that was six months ago. There have been several lists I have emailed to the contractor and Jorge Cartain since November 2021 none of them were addressed until I filed a complaint with BBB. 

  
  

  In the contractor's response he claims there a small amount of work to be done. He's admitting he never finished the job but was fully paid.  As you can see, and I can bring you photos there's a lot of work to be done. It is not move in ready, the contractor didn't even clean or vacuum anything. I have several documents and photos to send.

  
  

  Thank You *****************************

  

  Business response

  07/13/2022

  Attached is a reply to ************************ rejection of our response.

  Customer response

  07/20/2022

   
  Complaint: 17469884
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Good afternoon bbb. These are hydro systems warranties I recieved for two whirlpool tubs. I only recieved one and that one doesn't work.

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

  

  Business response

  08/01/2022

  ************************ may have originally decided on several whirlpool tubs however there were change orders done which ************************ signed off on which included a whirlpool tub and a soaking tub from ***** systems. He selected them personally at studio 41 and they were installed. The warranty that I am attaching is for all ***** system tubs soaking and whirlpool.

   

  As far as a whirlpool tub not working we are unaware until now. We would be willing to go back and service this tub however ************************ did not respond back to our last BBB coorespondence about the $10,500 that is due upon final framing inspection which has taken place. Our contract also states that warranty is not in effect until all payments are made to Next Level Construction unless otherwise agreed to. #6 NLC back of contract.

  Customer response

  08/04/2022

   
  

  This is more information that I wish to add to the complaint. The contractor known as ************************* next level construction, aka *******************, aka built to last and also, I was asked to send correspondence to something called *******************. The contractor ************************* next level construction left some trim material that was supposed to be attached to the base of the kitchen cabinets and floor, basement cabinets and vanities in the bathrooms. This is work that was supposed to be done that was not. It is another of the many things in a long list that I have submitted with my complaint. Also, the stairs railing is starting to separate from the post at the top of the landing.   

  
  

  Thank you, *****************************

  

  Business response

  08/13/2022

  ************************ has added to the complaint about some molding that was not installed in the kitchen that was left at the job site. Our response is that the job is incomplete and has been for some time. We have asked a number of times for ways for us to be able to continue and finish up this project which is 99% complete or come to some monetary agreement.

  
  

  Mr. mentions that a stair railing is starting to separate and this is the first we have heard of it. Typically if there is a service call customer is supposed to contact us first before complaining about it. At this time we will mention again that we would like to find a resolution and develop a final punchlist as this job is almost complete. We have made a number of suggested ideas to find a resolution but ************************ has not responded in his correspondence with Better Business Bureau and has not made an effort to contact us by phone or in writing so again we ask what would the customer like us to do in response to this and previous BBB complaint?

  Customer response

  08/15/2022

  )
  Complaint: 17469884
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I have been trying since November 2021 to get the contractor *************************, next level construction, built to last, lifetime remodelers, red mug investments or whatever name ************************* is going by now. Ive called, sent countless emails about was has not been completed or done wrong or not done at all. ************************* said in a email that he knew the remodel was not completed and said he was not going to complete it. To this date my appliances were never installed, my bathroom accessories, shower doors, mirrors, grab handles were never installed. These are just a few of the things ************************* scammed me out of. Theres a lot more, and I have the emails to prove it. The only time ************************* responded to anything was after I contacted the better business Bureau.  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

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