ComplaintsforUnity Design Build Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  01/03/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In May, 2021 , we hired Unity Design Build to tear down the existing wooden stairs leading from our screened porch to the backyard. We signed a contract with the owner of the company, Mr. ************************** In June, the project was started and completed in a timely manner. The agreement states, "All workmanship will be warranted a full two years " and that the steps would b replaced with "treated steps." It further stated "pressure-treated" wood was to be used. After six months ,we became suspicious that the wood was not pressure-treated. We waited intil this summer (2022) to contact ******************. The wood has never turned darker to match the wood on the rest of our home. It is still yellow like new wood. In the past year, we have acquired a white substance, in blothches all over our stairs, from top to bottom. ****************** inspected what we think is not pressure-treated wood. He advised us that all pressure treated wood looks like that, My husband and co-owner, *******************, says that we have owned a house in Montgomery County for 50 years. We have never seen wood turn white. Too, we know that all pressure-treated wood is so labeled. No such labeling can be found on this wood. ******************, before starting the project showed us photos of work that he had done in the Olney area. Comparing that photo now with our replaced steps, the wood used on our house doesn't look at all like that in the photo. We would like ****************** to stand by the contract and the warranty as promised and tear down these existing steps to be replaced with REAL pressure-treated wood. We thank you, BBB, for your help and understanding of this problem.

  Business response

  01/25/2023

  01/06/22
  

  Dear BBB,
  

  I received your letter dated 1/3/23 regarding a complaint filed by ***** ******. Please mark the claim as invalid.
   We signed a contract on 5/24/21 to build a set of treated steps for *** and ***** ****** for a cost of $2,490. At the time of signing the cost of materials for building the steps was approximately $700. Due to Covid and demand on materials the cost went up to $1,786 when we constructed the steps in June. We should have adjusted the contract or refunded the deposit as we ended up losing almost $500. We did not, we stupidly did the honorable thing.
  We also gave the ****** a price to install a new front walkway and new brick side steps. They declined and went with a cheaper bid. I am sure she is filing a complaint against that company as it looks like the work was done by a child.
  I attached the receipt showing the materials purchased and delivered for the ****** steps are indeed pressure treated. This can be double verified by calling the vendor(*******)directly.
  When the ****** called me with the concern I went and looked at the steps. A few very small pieces of a white chalk like substance were showing on the wood. I let them know this was normal (not rot) and it was part of the curing process. I also suggested she could get a third-party verification (she did not, she preferred to waste everyone’s time)

  I attached a copy of the contract with the ****** (she filed against the wrong company).
  I have been constructing decks for over 30 years (not sure how many ***** has built). I work with Architects, Home Designers and have won awards. Our average project is $30-40,000 and of thousands of clients I can count the unhappy ones on one hand). Maybe I’m not the problem.
  Some third-party companies are allowing Contractors to review customers. If the BBB is doing this also, please send me the appropriate paperwork so I can write a review on the Powers.
  
  Thank you for your time and attention.
  

  Steve S******
  Unity Design Build.

  Customer response

  02/01/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:There was no resolution offered to my complaint.

  In response to ********************** bulleted points:

  1.  The construction of our back steps began on June 16, 2021, only four weeks from the date of the contract.  When the contract was signed, the country was in the middle of the  and suppliers were already closed down, and had een for about a hyear.  Why didn't he take the currebt sutuation into consideration with ********************** pricing?  He called himself an honorable man, but nothing about this letter is honorable nor professional.

   

  2.  What our front sidewalk and side steps looked like are not part of this complaint nor of his company.

   

  3.  After calling ********, the lumber supplier, we were told that "select" is a term meaning "pressure treated", but we have never seen that word used with other construction companies.

   

  4.  If the white splotches on the wood are indeed "part of the curing process", when will that process be over?  Since ****************** was here, we have even more "white chalky substance" on the steps.  It has been nineteen months.  I wasn't here the day he came for his inspection.  My husband, ***, talked to him and said that no mention was made of a "third party verification".

   

  5.  We did not receive a copy of the contract with his response to the BBB letter, but it was not necessaryas I have my own copy ion my hiome from May, 2021.  In my previous letter, the name of the company I use was Unity Design Build.  That was the name used on all written correspondence we have received from *******************  

   

  6.  No, I have not built any decks.  That is why we trusted his company to do a fair, honest job and, therefore, hired him.

   

  7.  If ****************** has proof of any treatment by us (as we have for our complaint) please allow him to review us and publish it on the BBB website.

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

   Homeowner

  Regards,
  
  ***********************

*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. ↩