ComplaintsforNFC Tree Service

• Initial Complaint

  06/29/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On May 14th, 2021 I entered into a contract with this company to build a garage along with a few smaller projects. I was required to pay ½ down or $25,000 dollars for a $50,000 project, which I did. I was told my rough cut wood would be ordered and asked if it could be placed on my property until they could begin the build. I agreed. The wood was never ordered or deposited onto my property. I was to have a summer build, then a fall build, “maybe” winter and then finally a spring build. The Spring build - I was told repeatedly, for a year, that I was next.. The next time I heard from him it was to change the original foundation to a monolithic foundation to save costs. I asked about the need to save money and he said costs were up now. I brought up our contract and he said that the contract was not a contract but an estimate of services. He no longer was going to tie in the septic. (The invoice clearly states “tie-in to septic”). He also wasn’t going to include electrical in the garage. (The invoice clearly states “electrical - basic needs”). I was then told I would have to get my own permits as it was illegal for him to do the septic (electric cheaper). Cement issue - I allowed cinder blocks to be left on my property. Then he added the cement pad and the old septic system (Also, I paid $3200 for a septic tank he collapsed), without further permission. So, for $17,300.00 I have a patio, (I would never have agreed to 8K.) a small cement pad outside my back door, incomplete retaining walls, the removal of an old cement pad and cinder blocks from a previous garage foundation. He refunded $7,700.00. The rest of the project remains incomplete. I have the original invoice for the entire project (which he initialed and dated), as well as his itemized invoice of why I only received $7,700 back of my $25,000.00 deposit. I saved all of our text messages to back up my claim and included pictures. NOTE: There is much more to this complaint.

  

  Business response

  06/30/2022

  [[BBB TRANSCRIPTION VIA TELEPHONE CALL W/BUSINESS OWNER]]

  Business stated he has was booked until October, consumer was aware and that he would do the best he could to get to her home. Due to the estimated part of her work, weather in the winter and Spring, and loss of workers/sick workers that affected them greatly due to covid it pushed everything back. He had no control over it whatsoever. The business stated the garage was built by another contractor and unaware it was over a tank. It may had already been damaged, it is a 25 year old holding tank. He was trying to do what he could to save as much money as possible, estimated it out. He changed that tank, other one was failing. Consumer approved both tank removals to save her money. 

  He stated a lot is involved in her build. Health department stated the septic was failing and needs retested, removed or replaced. He offered another business that could assist with the job he since he is not licensed for a portion of it. He stated he will not be offering a refund. She has to take responsibility for pulling the electric and plumbing permits. He has friends who are licensed who can do the job on the side for her which will save her money. He is more than willing to assist. He has never not completed a job. He stated the concrete is ready to be poured. He can't take responsibility for someone else's mishaps. He can't control the weather or covid. She has to do her part if the cost of materials changes. He stated to please call the business so he can come back out and complete the job.

  Customer response

  06/30/2022

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  The invoice was not an estimate of costs. No where on the invoice does it say estimate. Yes, I have to replace my septic system. He collapsed the old one making replacement necessary sooner. It overflowed recently because he did not connect it to anything or use baffle T’s. He did not pull a permit or we would have known sooner what needed to be done. He never stated grading afterwards would cost an additional fee. He upped the price of the patio when I asked for a refund. I had a cement contractor out that said it was a $2200.00-$3,000 stamped patio. Initially he stated $3,700 to include the back door pad, not 8K. I was also told it was t sealed properly or it would still be shiny because it is only 1 year old. 
  I would like an inspection done of his “completed” work. I want $10,000 additional funds refunded. I also want the cement removed.

  

  Business response

  06/30/2022

  [BBB Transcription via Phone]

  She asked to remove the foundation that was put on her property by another contractor. It should have never been built there. As far as concrete goes I have never done in less then $20 per square foot. If she had someone who could do it cheaper then she should have had that person do it. The only thing I did was try to help her out. The septic system was failing before I even got there. It was failing in 2019 and that is documented at the county health department. She never told me about the septic tank failing. I have to go by what my customer tells me to do. 

  Customer response

  06/30/2022

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  When Natural Falls collapsed my septic tank it was left open 6 months. I paid for the replacement. I thought that was a new septic system. Because a septic system was needed, does not release the company from charging me money when all that was done was two boxes were dropped into the ground. No permit and  it wasn’t connected to anything. The work that was  done wasn’t done right . Natural Construction dumped on my property without permission. The cinder blocks were okayed because they were to be crushed, nothing else was. The cost of the patio went up when I asked for a refund. The cost of grading was never disclosed until I asked for a refund. The retaining walls weren’t completed. The transplanted grass is a tripping hazard because it wasn’t leveled. I want an inspection, 10K and the cement removed.

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