Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/29/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore 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.

  I had 21st century do remodel work at my house. Plumbing, adding shower, new bathroom in basement, and egress window. I took a loan out under his company through My synchrony for $20,000. That was his estimate. I have not received a final itemized bill. The work has been done since the end of March. The egress window leaks everyone it rains. I have contacted him and his business phone number on ******(it goes straight to voicemail). In one message he stated he would send someone to dig the hole deeper and cover the window. That has never been done. I have been patient and reach out multiple times. I don’t think it’s too much to ask for an itemized bill and for the window to be fixed.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/30/2024

  She called and said this complaint can be closed as resolved.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/08/2024

  Type:Billing 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.

  We hired 21st Century Contracting ***** *****) in January 2023 to remodel a basement space, primarily for the purpose of adding a 3/4 bathroom. Most of the work and final product has been acceptable, but we have communicated to them repeatedly that the glass corner shower they installed leaks water profusely. It looks as if it was not installed "squarely" into the corner. One side panel is about 1/4 - 1/2" higher than the other, so the door is slanted a bit and does not line up straight with the fixed glass panels. Whatever the reason, it does not keep the water contained and I do not believe it would pass an inspection. They did recently send someone out to do some more caulking around the fixed edges of the glass and shower base, but that did not address the main issue of the gaps around the shower door where it has to move. We paid for the project in full when it appeared to be near completion, plus an additional $500 above the quote for additional square footage of flooring installed. I also offered to pay **** $1,000 more (equal to a discount he applied at the beginning for accepting his bid within 7 days) to finish the job but so far that has not happened. I am reluctant to make a complaint, but it has now been more than a year since we hired him for a relatively modest project.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/23/2024

  The shower door has been adjusted and the water escaping at the bottom has been resolved as listed in the complaint.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/12/2023

  Type:Order 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.

  The 1st of May we entered into a contract with 21st century to build a metal building with living quarters (barndominium). To date we have absolutely nothing, nothing started, nothing completed, no stamped plans or any detailed information I can take to the bank-nothing whatsoever. I have called, texted, emailed with about 50% response, but still not work, still no money replacement. Communication is not good, I have had to reach out numerous times, never have I gotten a phone call informing me of progress, or lack there of and an explanation. All I wanted was what we agreed on, Communication on what's happening, progress moving forward, or something more than nothing for 4 1/2 months.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/16/2023

  in March 2023, I saw the customer post on ******** about needing a foundation poured, a lagoon, some electrical work, etc. I messaged the customer on 3/15/23 asking for more information about this project. The customer stated "we want to buy a modular and put it on a full basement." After more discussion, I asked if the customer would be open to any other structures being built, like a house framed and built on site as opposed to a modular. She said she was open to any idea. I was told the budget was to be in the $250,000-$300,000 range. I stated I was confident I could build a wood framed traditional house for that price range. After some more discussion and going back and forth about ideas and layouts etc, I decided that we could proceed forward with more in depth planning, estimating, etc. to see how the pricing would shake out. I met the customer (I brought a sub contractor and the customer brought her boyfriend) at a coffee shop on 5/19/2023 to discuss further action and to sign a contingency agreement with a $5000 non refundable deposit for my time and efforts to obtain all the necessary information to build. The agreement stated multiple times no refunds and had a contingency to be a project that could fall into the $250,000.00-$300,000.00 price range. If this price range was not possible, then the contract would be void with the exception of the non refundable deposit. This agreement also specifically stated "A living structure" as opposed to a specific metal barndominian as the customer states. This was done specifically as I could not guarantee a metal barndominian at that price, but could guarantee a framed living structure. This was all verbally explained to the customer with 2 witnesses present and I made it very clear that there were no guarantees with this project and that the $5000 deposit was compensation for my companies time spent on the process. I told the customer at worst, I would provide you with necessary information that you could use going forward building it on your own if I couldn't meet the price agreement. The customer wrote me a $5000 check and signed the agreement. The customer wanted us to first process estimating and bidding out a metal barndominian and that is what we worked on for the next 1-2 months or so. After staking out the property, calling and meeting with multiple subs on site, collecting estimates, and making plans, the metal barndominian was going to be priced in a higher range than what was in the agreement. The customer also wanted to make some changes to the plans which would have required us to have the plans redrawn for a fee (we owned the initial plans). At this point, I attempted to contact the customer and her boyfriend to let them know that the barndominian was priced higher and that it would cost more to get new plans and that it didn't make sense to go forward and spend more money on something that was not agreed to. I was told by the boyfriend specifically to not contact the customer as she fell ill and was in the hospital. I had gone on vacation to Colorado within the next few weeks and did not have very good reception. I received a text from my subcontractor stating the customer sent him a text saying she cant get ahold of me and was threatening to sue me and demanded a full refund among other nasty things. At this point, I contacted the customer and stated that I was on vacation and was told not to contact her. I explained the price was higher than the agreed amount and that at this point I did not see a path forward besides the framed living structure I had said from the beginning I could do. The customer stated absolutely not, no framed structure, they wanted a metal barndominian. I also explained to the customer that I was considering moving on from this project based on her threats and nasty language and that I needed some time to consider all the options. I immediately sent her an email with 13+ documents of information we had gathered for the project including plans, estimates, job notes, etc. I decided I would keep going forward with my best good faith effort to find some kind of solution to be able to build her a living structure. It was decided that a pole barn barndominian would be less costly than a metal and that we would work on a new estimate for that style. During this time, we worked with **** lumber and **** design to figure out who would help finalize the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical plans so we could get an official estimate. **** lumber was working on this throughout August on and off and getting closer to a finalized plan that we could produce an estimate for the bank that was a better price than the metal barndominian. During this time, the customer constantly and repeatedly texted and called asking for updates and i repeatedly told her it was close to being finalized. I was waiting on 3rd party companies and it was out of my hands. I gave the customer a contact name and number at **** lumber to call and ask for updates as they would be able to better provide them. On September 5th at 11:14am, I received a text from the customer asking me about the progress. I stated that "it's in the same position as it was and that when I know more she'll be the first to know." She responded with a text saying "**** lumber knows nothing of this and that she's on the phone with them." Not more than 7 minutes later at 11:21am myself and my subcontractor received a group text from the customer saying **** lumber knows nothing about what I was talking about and that she is "pissed to hell" calling me a liar and saying how someone who lies is over the top. Demanding her ******* money back or to tell her the truth. At this point I contacted **** to ask what was going on, and the employee she talked to simply was not up to date with the latest information and development of the project had just gotten back from Labor Day vacation. The **** employee immediately called the customer back and apologized and stated that they indeed were working on the project and were almost done and that none of that was **** ******* *********** fault. Unfortunately, the customer decided to jump the gun and again threaten and harass me and call me a liar for no reason at all. The next day, September 6th, I wrote an email to the customer stating that based on her continual threatening and harassing communication and the broken contractor/customer relations, we would no longer be able to help her with her project and that **** lumber had all the remaining information and she could go through them directly going forward. 

  I have attached the signed contingency agreement as stated by the customer. I have documentation and proof of everything stated in this reply including text messages, photos, documents, call logs, screen shots, estimates, plans, subcontractors paid, jobsite photos, etc.

  Because of the reasons listed above, and as signed in the agreement, there will be no refund of any money for this matter.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/16/2023

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

  There are only partial truths, it is unacceptable and unlawful  to take someone's money and provide no service. I have included communication that  took place between myself and **** and/or Anthony and ****. Anthony ended his employment with 21st century shortly after the meeting with the 4 of us. Soon after that I received a call from **** stating he found someone that is familiar with building barndominiums and he will be taking this project on. **** went out to the property on numerous occasions, **** got estimates ( as did we) for nearly all of the subs. **** went to **** lumber and got sample plans printed from a computer and we met at ******** restaurant.  At this time he gave us these "samples" and a piece of paper with notes and quotes written all over it. We visited for a good hour. At this point I still had nothing I could take to the bank. My banker, ***** ** ****** **** and trust would email me from time to time asking about the documents requested. I would then text or call **** and he would always tell me " we are working on it" "we are busy with other jobs we will get back on it as soon as we finish these"  "we can't get anything in your price range" "I'm not completely comfortable with the barndominium" etc etc etc. One time he did arrive at the property (April 2023) once! He was never there again. **** was out numerous times, **** had gotten all the info from us and some emailed by me to ****. When I asked for the portfolio of estimates, quotes and stamped plans to go to the bank, he forwarded me an email from **** (same info we had from our meeting at culvers-nothing new) that included no stamped plans and no new estimates than what we had already gotten ourselves or **** had gotten. It is true that I was angry with the constant delay, lack of communication and untruths. I have every single text I sent to all parties, I have every phone call, every email. This was not even close to harassment. When you have an agreement with someone, you should never have to wait 4-5 months for absolutely no progress. The only thing we have at this point is flags out in a field that have been there for a few months. We have estimates (some we got ourselves) we have sample plans from **** that **** obtained that cannot be used because they printed on a computer as a sample. **** stated he was not going to be employed by 21st century as he didn't appreciate how people were treated, he was ending employment. I spoke to **** he said they are working on things. Shortly after that they had made amends and **** would continue. Still no forward movement on our project. I texted **** once every week or 2, not harassing, simply asking where we're at on our project.  It wasn't until months went by that i got angry. Anyone would be angry had that much time lapsed with zero production. I'm only asking for fairness. If I had a portfolio that I could take to the bank, I would have been happy. I still don't have that. This feels like a bad dream and I would like to end it with fairness on both sides. If **** can sleep at night knowing he did nothing for us then he's stronger than me. This is not how people treat others, yes I have my faults, yes I was angry. More angry that I trusted him to do a job for me and paid $5000, received nothing in return, than anything. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** *******

  Business Response

  Date: 09/21/2023

  No refund will be given

  1. A contract was signed that stated multiple times no refund. The customer was expressively and verbally informed multiple times "no refund" before, during, and after the execution of the agreement. 

  2. Customer denied contractor the ability to build a framed home "a living structure" as stated in the agreement for a price between "$250,000-$300,000" as stated in the agreement. Customer decided only after the agreement that a metal barndominion was the only option, which was never agreed upon nor would have fallen even remotely close to the "$250,000-$300,000" range. Contractor made this known multiple times. 

  3. Business relations were irrevocably damaged with customers continual disregard of a signed contract and continual harassing and threatening messages. Customer was warned numerous times not to communicate in that way. 

  4. Customer was explained and warned multiple times before, during and after the contract that as a small business, contractor would not take any unnecessary risks and would not be rushed or hurried under any circumstance. 

  5. Customer can go to **** lumber and collect the finished plans when they are ready as the work by the contractor was performed to get to that point.