ComplaintsforBillops Properties LLC

• Initial Complaint

  02/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My complaint is for poor workmanship and improper installation technique of the installed flooring by ******* Properties, LLC The poor workmanship issues and installation techniques are: 1. Issues with improper grout application such as grouting line installation; issue between the tiles and inconsistent grout bounding of the installed tiles leading to crack grout. 2. There are underlayment/subflooring support issues (unleveled tiles, broken tiles due to stress from poor workmanship and issues with floor support strip.) On February 24, 2022 I signed a home renovation agreement with Michael ******* of ******* Propertied to install porcelain tiles in the foyer and powder room. At the beginning of July 2022, I contacted Mr. ******* to alert him that there were significant issues relating to the installed tiles. Mr. ******* stated that he was unable to come out and inspect the flooring issues. He did say that he would call me the following week to arrange a day and time to look at the installation of the flooring. Mr. ******* never follow up. On July 22, 2022, I sent Mr. ******* a text message (see attached) to set a time and date for him to inspect the flooring. He did not respond to my text message. After Mr. ******* failed to inspect the issues with the flooring, I contacted a licensed Home Inspector to evaluate and inspect the workmanship of the installed flooring (see attached) I am attaching contractors’ estimates to demo and correct the existing flooring. I am requesting that Mr.. ******* return the $2900; he received for the installation of the flooring and an additional $1211, for the purchasing of the replacement tiles (see receipt) totaling $4,111.

  Business response

  03/23/2023

  As the contractor that completed the work for the ungrateful customer above, we performed the services that we were contracted to do.  I made recommendations to the customer that the subfloor should be replaced, but she did not want to pay the cost for the new subfloor.  we removed the old tiles and tried our best to level the floor as best as possible without replacing the weakened subfloor in a few areas.  As you can see in the price that was charged to the client and the estimates that she received from other contractors, that the scope of work is not the same.  If the customer was willing to pay the cost, we would have replaced the subfloor prior to installing the new tiles.  This risk was explained to the customer once the demo was done and prior to installing the new tiles, but the customer did not want to pay the additional cost.  Lastly, after waiting nearly a month to get paid the balance for the project due to the customer leaving once the job was completed without paying and going to NY, we were finally able to meet and do the final walk-though and she paid the balance.  If there was an issue, she would not have paid me as I clearly stated in the contract that the final balance is not due until the work is 100% completed.  As you can see in the contract, this work was done in February 2022 and we offered a warranty of 120 days to the clients and we didn't receive any communication from the client that there was an issue.  Now a year+ later, she is asking to be refunded. 

  There should be limitations on what customers are able to provide on this site as a cheap unwilling to pay customer can tarnish a business that people work very hard to build by making false accusation about businesses to get something for free.  We don't work for free and we provided the services for exactly what was paid for by the client.  

  Customer response

  03/30/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  On March 10, 2022, Mr. ******* visited the job site.  During this visit the tile installation was 85% completed. At that time I pointed out visible issues with the tiles, including cracking grout and uneven tiles. Mr. ******* began discussing the issues with his worker.  After his assessment, Mr. ******* told me his worker would fix the issues.   
   The scope of the contract, prepared by Mr. ******* never presented any details relating to sub flooring before signing the contract.  For me not wanting to do the sub flooring, those details would have been presented to me in the scope of the work for me to opt out. There were never any discussions or informal discussions and agreements relating to the scope for the sub flooring to be excluded. Any additional sub flooring preparation with separate pricing should have been stated in the contract for me to opt out or through an estimate write up for sub flooring. Once the floors were demoed for the cement board installation, Mr. ******* never address sub flooring or presented a revised scope of work to include a deviation from the current scope with additional work requirements and associated risks before the tile installation.
  The last day Mr. *******’ company was on site was March 24, 2022.  Mr. ******* did not come to the site on March 24, 2022 or call to arrange a walk through to assess the completion of the work.
   Mr. ******* was aware I was leaving for New York on March 25, 2022. Mr. ******* texted me on April 1,2022 inquiring if I was back in Maryland.  Once I got his text I phoned him. To my surprise Mr. ******* was not calling to explain why he was not on site to access the continuation work that was done by his company from Mach 10 –March 24. What he stated was March 24 was the last day for his company being on sight. He then stated that the balance was due and I needed to pay him the balance. Anticipating that Mr. ******* would want to inspect the flooring with a final walk through, I zelled him the balance April 2,2022. The payment of this balance had nothing to do with me being 100% satisfied. It had to do with his tone and me being out of town.  After Mr. ******* received the payment I never heard from him to set up an appointment to assess the continuation of work of March 10-24, 2022 and the overall feedback from me regarding the installation of the tile.
  After waiting for months for Mr. ******* to come out and do an assessment, I called Mr. ******* on July 15, 2022 to sound the alarm because the flooring was getting worse.  Mr. ******* said that he would call me back for an appointment. He never did and that l was the last time I heard from him.  
  The flooring was completed on March 24, 2022, which means I had until July 22,2022 to make any complaints according to the 120 day period mentioned.  I called Mr. ******* on July 15,2022 to voice my complaints he said that he would come and inspect the tiles the following week. He never followed up. I texted him July 22,202 asking for a time and date he was going to come out and inspect the tiles.  I never heard from Mr. *******. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Francine ******

  Customer response

  05/08/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of Arbitration. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

  Better Business Bureau:

  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID .18965189, and find that arbitration is necessary.

  Sincerely,

  Francine ******

  Business response

  05/08/2023

  I have decided NOT to participate in Binding Arbitration to resolve my complaint with ID 18965189,. I understand that because I have decided to not pursue arbitration that BBB must close my complaint.  The complaint was outside of the warranty window.   

   

  Regards,

  Mike *******

*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. ↩