ComplaintsforAlves Construction LLC

• Initial Complaint

  08/01/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I started working with Vilmar from Alves Construction in April 2023. We came to a legal agreement for basement remodel and main floor remodel. We have signed 2 separate contracts for basement and main floor. I paid my initial check back in April 2023 and waited for 7 months to start the basement work in November 2023. It is August 2024 now, even after 9 months still not even 50% work is completed yet in the basement. No work has been started in the main level till date. Electric is not hooked up to any lights or power supply and plumbing is not hooked up to anything, no showers, no taps, nothing. Vilmar is calling all the work has been completed with electric, plumbing and bath. Not even 1 room in that 1500 Sqft basement is fully completed yet. Im completely disappointed with ****** and Alves construction service and response time. There is no real commitment from vilmar and his guys. They hardly show up and do basic things for few hours and leave. All the work could have been completed long time ago, he dont come to the work area to inspect. He comes only in 2-3 months or if I ask him to come over to meet. The original commitment to complete everything by 6 to 8 weeks. It has been more 9 months, only 50% of the work is completed. No flooring, No plumbing, No Electric, No Bath, No Doors, No Bar, No Cabinets. Nothing has been completed yet. $50,000 is the agreed contract #**** & #**** for basement, I have already paid, $30,000. Only less than $25,000 worth of work has been completed. Plus Vilmar committed to resurface the cabinets which was not done as well(costs $5000). I need refund of $5000 for basement.I want the main floor contract #**** to be cancelled and I want the initial amount of $10000 paid on 6/15/2023 has to be returned back to me. It has been 13 months NO work has been started yet.Working with Alves Constructions has caused me and my family more pain with all these prolonged work and not getting it on time as it was committed.

  Customer response

  08/31/2024

  It has been 30 days and I dont see any updates on this case. I dont see my review has been added for this business as well.

  

  Business response

  09/09/2024

  
  
  September 9th, 2024
  To Whom It May Concern:
  At the time we met with ************************ at his residence for the initial estimate I told him our timeline to start his project. ************************ and his wife both expressed that they wanted to have the basement project completed before the main floor project and they agreed to our timeline. We presented ************************ with a 3D drawing of the basement and contract which he signed and gave us the initial deposit. 
  
  The project was started, and the basement walls were framed based on the original provided design. ************************ wasnt happy with the size and location of the rooms. He asked us if it could be changed. I explained the scope of work which include moving an exterior door (slider to single), siding outside, cut concrete throughout the basement floor to run plumbing, and moving the walls that were already built. I gave ************************ a new quote, he accepted, and we started the modifications. 
  
  ************************ knew that we are a small business. Our crew leader had an unfortunate family health emergency while we were working at the residence. ***** had to take time off to care for his family as his son ended up having 5 brain surgeries while we were working at the residence. Obviously, it did delay the project, but we made sure to always have at least one guy at the residence. ************************ was made aware of this unfortunate event and understood we were doing everything we could do despite this situation.
  
  The project also became much more complex as the Homeowner add several items to the project. Some of these items were estimated in writing and some discussed verbally. The additional work added several weeks to the original time scoped. 
  
  ****** absence at work did delay the job to some degree. However, other factors also caused delayed. Such as my crew having to work around ************************ things. There was workout equipment, an air hockey table, and several other items that were supposed to be removed from the area by the homeowners prior to the start of the project. The Homeowners told us some of it was junk that they needed to throw away. We offered to take away the junk and dispose of it ourselves since it was in the way of our projects if they would separate it out. It took the homeowner over two weeks to simply separate those items so we could remove the excess that was in our way.
  
  There were a couple of occasions that my crew went to work at the residence and left after few hours, mainly when the drywall mud was being done as sometimes the mud doesnt dry enough for another coat or to be sanded. There were other times that my crew showed up to work and the basement door (our point of access to the residence) was locked and there was no one home to allow access.
  
  ************************ did sign the contract in which it specifies that in the case of the homeowner canceling the contract we would not be liable to refund the deposit. The contact also specifies that in the case the homeowner is not satisfied with the project, that the homeowner would give us the opportunity to remedy the project.  ************************ showed to be satisfied with the quality of our work but upset with the time it was taking. He simply decided that he wanted to have someone else finish the basement and the work upstairs. 
  
  Items in contract completed: 
  Estimate #
  1-Framing = $5,000
  2-Electric ($4,600 except for two hours of labor hooking it up to box -$200) = $4400
  3-Mechanical = $1300
  4-Plumbing ($4,500 except heart valve -$150+ one hour labor at $100 = $4,250
  5-Drywall = $5000
  6-Painting = $2,500
  7-Bathroom ($6000 except vanity and shower glass door -$850) = $5,150  27,600
  Estimate # ****
  8-Plumbing redirected = $1,500 
  9-Exterior door = $2,100
  10- Exterior siding = $450
  11-Soundproof insulation = $1,650
  12-Ceiling tray = $300
  13-Electric for sconces = $200. 6200
  Total work completed as per contract $33,800
  
  
  Additional work not included in initial scope of work 
  
  1-Modify frame of basement (move walls, media room, bar, water closet) = $2,000
  2-Platform in media room (build deck 12 high, 72x120, with electric receptacles on it) = $1,500
  3-Additional low voltage wiring (extensive amount of Cat8 wiring including main floor of the house) = $900
  4-Wall niches x6 larger one on stairs wall (redirect electric wiring for two) = $1,300
  5-Second layer of drywall in media room (walls and ceiling) = $1,600
  6-Additional color (accent colors) = $100
  7-Media cabinet niche (box framed and trimmed) = $500
  8-Additional electric receptacles on walls and ceiling x4 = $280
  9-Additional niche in shower wall = $350
  10- Finish underneath stars with electric for playroom drywalled and painted = $1,000
  $9,530
  Total work completed $43,330
  
  $
  Alves construction has received from ************************ a total of $40,000 
  Basement initial deposit $13,000 from 05/11/2023 on Estimate #****
  Basement second deposit $17,000 from 02/14/2024 on Estimate #*************
  Upstairs project $10,000 from 05/11/2023 on Estimate #****
  
  At this point, ************************ owes Alves construction $3,330. In an effort to keep the peace as we understand the frustrations with the project delays, we agree to not charge for the remaining amount due and close the work out as completed and paid. No payment would be expected, or refund would be offered. If in agreement, Mr. ***** ************************* would also agree to not pursue this any farther in any other avenues.  While there was a time delay, the quality of work completed at their home was to the expectation originally stated, and our crews agreed to go above and beyond to keep the customer satisfied.
  Thank you.
  
  Vilmar Alves
  **************
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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