ComplaintsforMr. D's Waterproofing & Construction Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  09/17/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Hired Mr. D's to do exterior waterproofing in my home September 2021 for $19,000. They were to break concrete around the house, put in drain tile system, sump pump, and replace all concrete. I gave them a deposit of $7,500 to start. Soon after placing drain tile system and before pouring concrete, I got water in basement again. Company mentioned it was because they left the drain tile too tight so they dug a corner of the house and "loosened" pipe. Once done with work I paid the other $7,500. I requested we wait on pouring concrete until Spring of 2022 and pay remaining $4,000 at that time. They came back and poured concrete but mentioned they had not included concrete for the left side of house. So the day they poured the concrete I paid an additional $1,000 for that section. In total the day concrete was poured I paid $5,000 cash. That same night I called them back because concrete work was HORRIBLE. I demanded they re-pour the alley way concrete since it was the worse. They complained that was a loss for them but still did it. Concrete still looks really bad and not leveled correctly, we get puddles.July 2022 - got water in basement again. Company came out same say and insisted we got water because we lost power and the pump stopped working, which we never lost power. Only option they offered was to install a back up battery. We accepted even though we told them we knew the problem was that they installed the drain tile above the footing instead of on the side. July 2023- got water in our basement again, more than before. This time we demanded company to come and re-do the work. ********* was very rude and bluntly said NO. He offered to install an additional sump pump but the issue is not the pump. The pump works fine. The issue is the drain tile is higher than footing. Water comes in thru walls. Now they are lying by saying we get sewer backup. They are not respecting warranty for drain tile work. Town said company didn't get necessary inspection.

  

  Business response

  09/18/2023

  All work was done through city permits and inspections each inspection pass** and we were in accordance to city codes on both jobs waterproofing and concrete. In regards too concrete in the clients home it was explain** that it was not allow** by the city they for ** me to continue. In which I did to keep customer happy. They complain** concrete was not to their liking so we return** broke out haul** out and repour** concrete at no cost to client. Year pass** by no complaints. They got water inside property dye to power outtage in which we return** to Install a battery backup system at no cost to client 6 months pass** and we got a huge flood in the **************, *****************************. **** got involv** due to city closing flood gates to city main sewer lines they are giving owners a relief for this issue and ****************** is also helping to pay do to their negligence. Owners contact** inspections tor spoke to him in front of us and agre** to our solution. We have have offer** a solution to the problem and has been sent through email and communicat** with the town. Our warranty states if draintile for any reason s fail we will make necessary repairs at no cost to owner in which this time she refuses. And our company gas a no refund policy.

  Customer response

  09/18/2023

   
  Complaint: 20617256
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  When we met with the Town inspector, he never agreed to the company's plan of fixing the water problem by installing another sump pump. The inspector clearly said the work had to be re-done because the drain tile was not installed on the side of the footing. The inspector also mentioned that he was not called out to do final inspection because his initials are not on the permit. We have had water come in July 2022 and FEMA was called in to Cicero July of this year, 2023. The company tried to cover up their error by saying we lost power July 2022 but we NEVER did. The sump pump never stopped working. FEMA getting involved has nothing to do with the work they did in 2021 and that failed in 2022. The gates were not closed in 2022 so why did we get water then? The issue here is the work was not done correctly. I paid for a waterproofing service and yet water still comes in every year. Water comes in through the walls, not the sewer. Contract clearly states there is a lifetime warranty on the drain tile work done. So the drain tile should be re-done, not do additional work because they didn't do the drain tile work correctly. I was promised no more water coming in my basement and the company has failed to provide that. This company is very disrespectful. When I tried to express my frustration, ********* raised his voice and just walked away. He lied saying the inspector called him and agreed with their plan, he lied to another town inspector telling him that we had sewer water come in. This company does sloppy work. They want to get paid on a timely manner but don't listen to customers requests. I have been very patient since work started in 2021. If company does not give refunds then they need to pay another company of my choice that will do the job correctly.

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

  

  Business response

  09/20/2023

  There were 2 separate permits issued for this job in ******************* 1 was for exterior draintile and second was for concrete work. Permits were granted inspection was called ms ***** was there personally when inspector was there and approved job. In ****************** they do not allow to install concrete unless first inspection is passed then a prepour inspection is called then job completed. Our license would've been revoked if nor following town procedures we currently renewed our license and are in good standing with the town. Now its our company policy to honor warranty and do any repairs necessary to make system work. We have reached out to Ms ***** several occasions through the phone through email through text we are willing to repair system where company deems necessary. Ms ***** is going by her brothers advise which he is not a professional nor has done this type if work. We have gone several times. At no cost to Ms ****** This last flood was due too water entering through floor drains in which our system and warranty does not cover. FEMA has given people In ****************** money in order for damages and repair because there was nothing that the town can do and was responsible for the flood Ms ***** us collecting from FEMA on top of that ****************** is granting to pay half on a flood control system. Do to our company policy we are willing to repair necessary area at no cost yo owner but not at customers or family's suggestions we are willing to make necessary repairs at no cost to owner where company has deemed necessary.  We have communicated with the town and just waiting on there response if they will allow us to do the necessary repairs to make systemwork better. There will be no reimbursement at all. But we are will to make necessary repairs.

  Customer response

  09/21/2023

   
  Complaint: 20617256
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Company is lying...AGAIN! I was not present when the inspector supposedly came. And I say supposedly because town *******************, clearly said he was not called to inspect the job and there is proof of that because ****'s initials are not on the permit. I know what permits are needed for the town. I am not arguing about a permit/inspection not being done for the concrete work. The inspection that was not called for was the drain tile system. 

  And yes, company did reach out several times through many means of communication, even in person. However, that was only to be disrespectful, lie about **** agreeing with them and to demand we allow them to put an extra sump pump inside my basement. There is no need for another sump pump when water comes in through the walls. A sump pump will not make the system work better, we have a sump pump there already that works perfectly fine. The issue is the water gets in the basement first before it reaches the drain tile system because drain tile is too high. 

  ********* mentions I am going by someone else's recommendation and it is very inappropriate for him to assume he is not a professional that has never done this type of work. I have reached out to other waterproofing companies and they all confirm correct placement of drain tile. **** even told the company they did their work wrong by placing the drain tile in wrong location. Even ****** shows how to correctly do a waterproofing job!

  FEMA has nothing to do with this company doing their work incorrectly. If the company would have done the work correctly I would not have gotten water in my basement this year. And AGAIN, I NEVER get sewer water through floor drains. I get rain water coming in through the walls. So if the drain tile would be placed on the side of the footing the water would never come in. 

  Company mentions they will not consider my suggestions on re-doing work correctly, so is that even complying with warranty on contract? Warranty is on drain tile work done. Warranty does not mention if drain tile does not work then we will do other waterproofing work. This company does not put the customer first. It is exhausting and a waste of time to be back and forth with a company that is irresponsible.

  
  *********************

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