Complaints

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• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/19/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Hired to build steps, did not follow original quote that he wrote, builds, then due to code violation had to tare down and redo. After redo claims to bill 3 times original material estimate. Short review of material list show charging for materials unrelated and not used on job. He has already been paid 2 times is material estimate, this at a time lumber prices are coming down not up.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/28/2023

  To answer Mr. ******’s complaint, we did follow code and the reason we rebuilt (at our own expense) was due to the fact that we used 4X4 posts instead of 6X6 posts and we fixed it at our own expense without raising Mr. ****** labor or material expense!
  
  We did not fail any inspection…please ask the client for proof!
  
  It was determined the after we poured cement at the bottom posts, they should have been on cat blocks as requested after the fact from Mr. ******. We fix this at our own expense.
  
  Therefore, we did indeed follow the original quote that we wrote!
  
  My bookkeeper Charlene O*** made a small mistake with a receipt that was supposed to be charged to another client for a small amount and it was immediately removed and credited.
  
  As per the signed agreement Mr. ****** agreed to pay all material expenses. This is an estimate and not actual expense! Mr. ****** did not provide electricity on site, and we were forced to rent a generator several times, which is specialized equipment and cost is the responsibility of the client as stated in the signed agreement. (Attached) This increased cost!
  
  Mr. ****** signed agreement for material states:
  
  Materials This price includes planning, labor, and necessary equipment. This price does NOT include material expense and old material landfill expense, by weight. (This price does include hauling off the old material) If any material is unavailable locally and extra time/hours must be spent, sourcing unavailable material, (we will discuss the issue with you first) an additional charge may apply. Appalachian Construction will shop for materials and deliver or arrange to have materials delivered to your worksite. (Material will be approximately $400 TO $800 and could fluctuate, the client will be financially responsible for cost fluctuations.) Due to covid-19 and the increase in construction material expense, land fill disposal cost by weight, material availability, have all fluctuated and continues to do so, since March 2020. Client can pay for material at the store level as we need materials, or we can pay for the material on our end with a 75% material deposit fee. Reimbursement of all material expenses initially paid for by Appalachian Construction, including store level delivery fees will be reimbursed on the ¾ payment or when the job is complete. (All receipt copies will be provided to the client). Any rental equipment needed for special circumstances, including (but not limited to: Scaffolding, Jackhammers, Pressure washers, Concrete saws, tractors, sanding equipment, etc. are not included in this estimate price and will be reimbursed or paid for ahead of time by the client, unless an alternate agreement is included in writing on this work order.
  
  Mr. ****** did not pay 2 times is material estimate…because of the electric circumstances and actual material expense compared to an estimate. We provide all receipts. I cannot help if the cost fluctuates…especially if specialized equipment is involved. We incurred these expenses and did not charge any pick-up fees for materials.
  
  We are one of the most accountable companies in the high country! Regardless of the fact that Mr. ****** project was under quoted, we did not raise the labor cost one bit while most every other builder or fly by night company does charge hidden fees!
  
  In addition, we offered an additional $200.00 off the material expense to account for any client suspected shortcomings and as a gestor to part company friends. He did not take it!
  
  We did everything we were asked and built a beautiful set of steps. (Picture included) All we want is the agreed upon material expense and we will drop our impending court case.
  
  Best regards,
  
  Mike B*****
  Appalachian Construction and Handyman, LLC.
  ***** ********

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/29/2023

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  I spent a week telling Mr b***** over text not to encase post in cement because inspectors says is a no no. Mr B***** did acknowledge text. Yet encased post in cement. So I cancelled inspection, otherwise it would have failed. 

  he quoted 6 by 6 posts, yet initially used 4 by 4 . so he,broke initial contract. After cement thing which put me out of schedule,with others subs.  I reminded him of the post, 

  . Just another example of him skirting contract that he wrote. 

  I even offered for Mr B***** and I to measure actual material on site he declined. 

  That would allowed he and I both to see actual materials used, not his list that's,impossible to reconcile. 

  Quote says he supplies all equipment, isn't a generator equipment. ?

  I inquired reference,to generator early on, was advised no big deal. 

  I paid his 1000 labor

  Estimate said 400 to 800 material. 

  I paid 1500 towards material. Which is real close to 2 times the 800. Yet he wants close to 1000 more. 

  What is purpose of material estimate if afterwards he can claim anything that he wishes. 

  I am sure,he,treats other jobs the,same, almost bait and,switch with size,and cost of material. 

  I will not pay him more, and look forward to see what NC DOJ take is. 

  If NC DOJ sees  this,similar,as rule on car repair shops, Mr B***** owes me 500. 

  I have filed a complaint with them also. 

  Premises is car repair shops can be 10 percent over. He is a good and service,similar to auto repair. Sales parts and labor to install. 

  Business Response

  Date: 08/29/2023

  Most of these have been answered already!

  The cement issue is a moot point…we fixed it at our expense!

  Presented and answered…we made a mistake with the 4x4 posts, we did not break contract because we replaced them with 6x6 posts, at our expense!
  We did not “skirt” any part of our written agreement! People that “skirt” things do not take responsibility like we did and we fixed the problem, at our expense! It’s Mr. ****** skirting paying the remainder of his bill.
  We are a remarkably busy company, I looked over all the bills, the material looks accurate, and we have plenty of pictures. Mr. ****** is attempting to take advantage and not pay his remaining bill. On top of which I had additionally offered an extra $200.00 off which was more than fair.
   Presented and answered…
  Materials This price includes planning, labor, and necessary equipment. This price does NOT include material expense and old material landfill expense, by weight. (This price does include hauling off the old material) If any material is unavailable locally and extra time/hours must be spent, sourcing unavailable material, (we will discuss the issue with you first) an additional charge may apply. Appalachian Construction will shop for materials and deliver or arrange to have materials delivered to your worksite. (Material will be approximately $400 TO $800 and
  
  ***could fluctuate, the client will be financially responsible for cost fluctuations.)
  
  Due to covid-19 and the increase in construction material expense, land fill disposal cost by weight, material availability, have all fluctuated and continues to do so, since March 2020. Client can pay for material at the store level as we need materials, or we can pay for the material on our end with a 75% material deposit fee. Reimbursement of all material expenses initially paid for by Appalachian Construction, including store level delivery fees will be reimbursed on the ¾ payment or when the job is complete. (All receipt copies will be provided to the client).
  
  **** Any rental equipment needed for special circumstances, including (but not limited to:
  Scaffolding, Jackhammers, Pressure washers, Concrete saws, tractors, sanding equipment, etc. are not included in this estimate price and will be reimbursed or paid for ahead of time by the client, unless an alternate agreement is included in writing on this work order.
  
  Because of the electric circumstances and actual material expense compared to an estimate and we provide all receipts. We cannot help if the cost fluctuates…especially if specialized equipment is involved. We incurred these expenses and did not charge any pick-up fees for materials throughout the entire project.
  
  “I inquired reference, to generator early on, was advised no big deal”. 
  Not true, Mr. ****** said power was available across the way and it was not.

  “Estimate said 400 to 800 material.”

  As stated in the signed agreement materials are an “Estimate” which means not actual! So, we never raised his labor and now we are called upon to pay for his material and lack of electricity provided…that is not fair and goes against the agreement Mr. ****** signed.  

  “What is purpose of material estimate if afterwards he can claim anything that he wishes”. 
  We are not claiming what we wish…we have provided actual copies of all the receipts and provided explanation of everything involved, in writing.

  “I am sure,he,treats other jobs the,same, almost bait and,switch with size,and cost of material”. 

  We have over 500 happy clients and this statement is slanderous and untrue!

  
  In closing, we are currently answering Mr. ****** complaint to the DOJ, and we are confident they will rule in our favor and then we will proceed with a lawsuit.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/29/2023

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  now, he claims to want money towards delivery fees.. He really messed up on my job and is trying to recoup. 

   

  Presently, I reject any input this man has, I have filed with you, with NC DOJ and with licensing board..

  I believe best is to see where NC DOJ stands and go from there. 

  *****