ComplaintsforSteller Construction

• Initial Complaint

  10/03/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am writing to report a distressing incident involving fraudulent activities and incomplete contractor work and to request your assistance in obtaining a refund for the associated charges. On 03/09/23, I engaged Steller Plumbing to complete a plumbing system installation at my property located at **** ******* ******* *** ************ ** *****, as detailed in Invoice 2. The agreed-upon full payment of $ 10,000 was made, but subsequent events have revealed the contractor's fraudulent practices and unfinished work. Issues with Steller Plumbing's service include: 1. **Incomplete Work**: Despite full payment by the agreed date of 7/14/2023, Steller Plumbing failed to complete the contracted work and honor the one-year labor warranty of the contract. Their refusal to address crucial plumbing issues and deficiencies, such as leaks caused by the installation and operation of the sump pump system, has led to additional services being purchased in the amount of $10,900 (invoice attached). 2. **Safety Hazards**: Inspection of the installed by Steller plumber non-compliant pipe voided the 40-year warranty of a 2021-installed metal roof and led to the permanent closure of a hall window to obtain occupancy. Steller installed a non-building compliant first-floor bathroom pipe, whose gas can be lethal if the window on the second floor is open. Issues with Steller Electric's service include: 1. **Incomplete Work**: Despite full payment by the agreed date of 7/14/2023, Steller Electric refused to address crucial electrical issues and deficiencies, such as non-functional outside lights and inadequate breaker installations, which poses a significant safety risk to the property and its occupants. 2. **Safety Hazards**: Inspection of the installed electric system uncovered multiple safety hazards, including low amp breakers purchased and installed by Steller Electric, unsuitable for the electrical loads they are meant to handle.

  Business response

  10/26/2023

  To Mr. **** **** or Whom It May Concern,
  
  What follows will show that ***** ********* is a liar and a manipulator. This document will show
  strong evidence she has broken the law in the past and continues to do so because she is a
  person of low moral character who takes advantage of small businesses and local government.
  
  ***** ********* reached out to Steller Plumbing regarding needing someone to take over all
  rough in and finish plumbing work and to achieve a final plumbing inspection at **** ******* ******* ***** *********** ** ****** We presented an estimate for plumbing work to her on
  6/18/2022 and she accepted and paid a deposit on 6/22/2022.
  
  At the same time, Steller Electric presented an estimate to ***** ********* to do all rough in and
  finish electrical work at **** ******* ******* ***** *********** ** ****** but she declined at
  the time and did not accept the bid for that. Steller Plumbing began the work on 6/27/2022.
  The plumbing work was completed on 3/07/2023 and the final plumbing inspection passed on
  3/08/2023. Rob R*******, lead superintendent, and Zach J******, lead plumber, were both on
  site for the final inspection and performed a bowl test with the inspector present. *****
  acknowledged that the inspection passed through a text message, and then paid the
  remaining balance of her invoice that same day.
  
  On 11/22/2022 Steller Electric sent another estimate to finish the remaining work not
  completed by another contractor. ***** accepted this bid on 12/21/2022. We began this work on
  1/6/2023. Steller Electric took over the project from a previous contractor about 75% of the way
  through the project. Ask yourself why she uses and discards multiple contractors to do the
  same scope of work throughout what should be a very simple project. The electrical rough
  work was completed by the previous contractor and the rough inspection was completed prior
  to Steller taking over the permit. Steller then completed the final portion of the project, and the
  final electrical inspection was passed on 2/21/2023. ***** paid the final invoice on 2/23/2023.
  
  ***** called Steller Electric for a service call for poorly functioning smoke detectors because they
  were not installed properly by someone else. Steller repaired damaged wiring for the smoke
  detectors on 4/14/2023. They were tested and functioning properly prior to Steller leaving the
  job site. ***** paid this invoice on 4/15/2023. Steller went to the home on 7/11/2023 for a
  warranty call. Upon arrival, the customer complained of tripping upstairs bedroom electrical
  circuits. The 20-amp breaker was properly installed on 12-gauge wire per national electrical
  code. We found a microwave, refrigerator and other kitchen appliances on the circuit in the
  bedroom, which was tripping the breaker. The wiring was installed by another contractor
  before Steller Electric took over the project. With appliances off, all outlets were tested and
  working. We cannot install a larger breaker on the existing wiring, as that would be a fire
  hazard and not meet electrical code. Appliances should each have dedicated circuits and
  should not be installed in a bedroom. Installing any new wiring was never part of Steller
  Electric’s scope. Additionally, these types of appliances should not be used in bedrooms and
  houses are never wired to accommodate such things unless specifically required.
  
  On 6/22/2023 ***** contacted Steller Plumbing wanting to have her upstairs dryer vent capped.
  Our plumber went to the residence on 6/28/2023 and completed this work. While he was there,
  ***** asked him if he could install two hose bibs. This was something we needed special parts for
  that could not be completed that day. We attempted to go back on 6/29/2023 and 7/14/2023,
  both of which times we were unable to get in the residence even though ***** was aware that
  we were coming. We did not charge for our wasted time. Additionally, the hose bibs were not
  in the original scope and no deposit was made for this. On 7/14/2023 we told ***** that we were
  not coming back anymore due to not being able to get into the house multiple times. We also
  felt it best to distance ourselves from her as much as possible because it was clear she was
  dishonest with the city, and we don’t want any part of that. This is documented in an email she
  sent to the city building official. This was the last contact we had with her.
  
  ***** has a history of being dishonest and taking advantage of small businesses and contractors
  in general, using the free local government system and disparagement tactics for financial
  benefit. At some point during the project, it became clear that she was lying to the building
  department so she could bend building code rules to her personal needs. She told them in
  writing that this property was going to be her personal residence so she could use the
  residential building code to complete the project when the commercial building code applied.
  
  Immediately after completing her final inspections, she transferred the property into one of her
  companies and then proceeded to use the residence for business purposes and does not live
  there. This is just one example of the various ways she is taking advantage of well-respected
  companies like ours – we have been in business 10+ years with a *** ****** ** ****** with
  raving reviews – as well as deceiving the local community.
  
  The Steller family of companies is among the highest ranked companies in our market, 10+
  years serving the communities in Columbus, never had a negative review on any media
  platform, never had a complaint filed, and has outstanding reviews from our customers. We
  have an amazing long-term staff and ownership that cares deeply about our customers, our
  reputation, our community and our business. We are a family, and this person is trying to
  destroy our family for personal gain, and I believe it is criminal and she has been getting away
  with it. We are prepared to do whatever it takes defend ourselves and hold her accountable
  financially and are happy to do anything we can to provide documentation to help the
  prosecution of her crimes against the community.
  
  To further illustrate her dishonesty and criminal behavior you only need to look at her actions
  toward us. She drafted the letter making demands of us and threatening us with $75,000 in
  damages over a very small portion of the work that isn’t true. She noted dates in her letter that
  she wanted things completed while at the same time she began disputing credit card charges
  with her banks that were several months old that she paid voluntarily, and monies started being
  drafted out of our accounts without notice and the credit card companies don’t seem to care
  that she is lying.
  
  She asked for work to be done, we did it, the city inspected and approved it, and she agreed
  that she was happy with the work and paid for multiple scopes unrelated to each other and
  then systematically began committing wire fraud. I am happy to meet in person and provide any
  documentation necessary to help build a case against her. As I am writing this letter to you, I
  have now received a message from the BBB (whom we have never had a complaint with in the
  entire 10-year life of our family of companies) continuing her campaign of disparagement, lies,
  and fear tactics.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Bryan A. L****
  

*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. ↩