ComplaintsforEast Texas Slab Masters, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  02/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On January 19, 2023, *********************** of East Texas Slab Masters inspected my property at **************************, and provided a proposal for foundation work (attached in documents), including:Install cribbing blocks for stabilization.Remove sub-standard blocks and beams.Straighten pads and replace concrete blocks.Install new treated 4x6 beams and 2x8 joists.Install CDX 3/4 plywood in the dining area.Jack and re-level the home.Regrettably, East Texas Slab Masters failed to fulfill crucial aspects of the proposal, such as building piers on rotten beams, improper jacking causing a significant floor hump, using bricks to stabilize and leaving rotten and broken floor joists.Despite notifying *********************** and subsequent involvement of *************************, the foundation remains unsatisfactory. ************************* claimed the result was the best achievable due to the home's age.Upon completing the interior and preparing for sale, severe un-levelness was discovered. Despite notifying *************************, asking for him to come fix and expressing our intention to consult a lawyer, he refused to rectify the situation.Another professional has confirmed the poor quality of the initial foundation work, necessitating a complete redo at additional expense. I am requesting a full refund of the $11,900 paid to East Texas Slab Masters, covering the costs of rectification through another company and potential interior work expenses.I am prepared to provide photographic evidence of the deficiencies (attached in documents). Your prompt attention to this matter is appreciated.

  

  Business response

  02/05/2024

  East Texas Slab Masters has returned twice after repairs were made to this 100 year old foundation.  Remodeling was in the process during this time.  **** went back out during the remodel to make another adjustment, after these adjustments were made nothing else was said about any more problems or issues until last week.  The remodel has been completed and now there are complaints.  ************************* offered to come back out to take a look and make more adjustments and was told they did not want **** to come back out.  East Texas has been through a drought and then heavy rains, the foundation will shift and move.  This is to be expected.  **** offered to make another adjustment even though the warranty had expired. The last time **** saw this foundation there was no hump in the floor.  Foundation repairs will often need adjustments from time to time.  **** strives to satisfy customers, going above and beyond, even when warranties run out.  A refund is not possible in this situation.

  Customer response

  02/07/2024

  Complaint: 21238030
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  The foundation work completed on our home was done incorrectly. Despite your claim, the foundation is still under warranty until April 1st, according to the invoice. Additionally, there has been a noticeable hump in the middle of the floor since the work was completed. Other issues with the house have also been identified. The photos clearly demonstrate the discrepancies between the work that was supposed to be done and what was actually completed. Unfortunately, the home will not pass inspection and needs to be redone. It's been confirmed by another foundation industry professional that the work was not done correctly. Your response to our complaint is also inaccurate. The work you did on the foundation appears to have been done poorly, as evidenced by the blocks on rotten boards, stacked up wood instead of blocks, and bricks that were supposed to be removed but are still in place. The house is also 3 inches off in multiple places. It's clear that **** did not complete the work that was agreed upon. If there was any movement, we would have seen it in the Sheetrock, but there has been no such indication.
  
  Regards,
  
  *******************

  

  Business response

  02/13/2024

  My sincerest apologies, after a second look at the paperwork I see that I was wrong about the warranty.  The contract was made in January of 2023 and the warranty began in April of 2023; therefore, the warranty extends until April of 2024.  East Texas Slab Masters would be happy to come back out for another adjustment.  We understand that at the time the remodel was complete you did not see the need for an adjustment and now you would like one.  East Texas Slab Masters stands behind our warranties and I encourage you to give us a call, at your convenience, so we can reassess the situation and make the proper adjustments.

• Initial Complaint

  12/08/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Company hired to leveling on home finally came out on a Saturday after many attempts to set up appointments. Still not satisfied with job flooring still not leveled crack in ceiling not repaired. I attempted to contact owner several times at number given to contact but no call returned. Finally went by business early one morning spoke with in regard to them emails, calls and texted that we have done attempting to contact and the issues and concerns. Prior to speaking with **** when I pulled up at yard he was standing and speaking with 2 men and a comment must have been made prior to him walking over to me as the 2 guys looked at me and laughed and walked away! After speaking with him he informed me he would texted my husband to set up a time to come out and again this would need to be done on a Saturday because they are very busy which was the same response we received several times when trying to set up appointment. We chose this company because of its reviews and what they promise to deliver, however we where very disappointed! I would like for them to complete the job or return my money!

  

  Business response

  12/09/2021

  When the job was finished, we showed the *********, with the level, that the foundation was level.  All the doors were working.  It was explained that there was one spot in the living room where the laminate flooring had come unhooked, the locks of the flooring were broke, and it would have to have new flooring.  Everything under the house is all in good shape, there is no rotten wood.  The crack in the ceiling was there when we started the work and it was never discussed during the inspection, of us fixing the crack.  A sheetrock person needs to make those repairs.  The homeowners were satisfied and paid for the job done.  ******************* came by the office and asked about the spot in the living room and **** explained again that the problem was the finished floor, not under the house.  **** told her he would go back and double check and call her husband.  The following day her husband came out to look at a truck that is for sale next to our office and **** talked with him and **** told him he would try to get out there that Saturday and ****************** said there's no rush and to just give him a ****** when **** gets a chance.  We work seven days a week, so Saturday is just another day for us.  Scheduling can be difficult when dealing with several homeowners who sometimes have things come up and also with the weather challenges.  The ********* were bumped up ahead of several other customers because they needed to work on their carport and the foundation needed to be repaired first.  We try to make accommodations when we can.  I spoke with ****************** today and he still feels the same, no rush on coming back out to take a second look, just come when I get a chance.  Unfortunately, it can be hard to get ahold of **** because of cell service not being adequate in all areas. ******************* also mentioned walking up on a conversation and there was laughing, this had nothing to do with her or her property.  We try to keep a light work environment, keeping everyone in good spirits because we all work seven days a week and good morale is key.

  Customer response

  02/18/2022

  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: A complaint was filed with BBB case number is ********. When complaint was filed and closed I was unable to respond to email sent asking if this issue was response due to having COVID I missed the email. I do not feel this is resolved due to owner coming out and releasing something under the the foundation which just basically caused foundation to return to it previous state before paying for leveling. The center of our floor is still weak and it feels like you are walking up hill and down hill in certain parts of the home. Every-time we contact company we are told they are so busy no one can come out! I want the service that I paid for and if it cant be provided I am asking for a refund!! This issue has gone on for to long ! When complaint was filed first we were contacted immediately!!! But before that and now we cant get a hold of anyone! I am still unsatisfied with the work in which we paid to have done! We also now have weak spots throughout the house that we did not have prior to him coming out and releasing whatever was released. I believe he released the area that was causing tension on the home from the work they previously done but did nothing to reinforce the area that should have been reinforced and never came inside to repair any cracks that we have from that foundation caused as commercial shows
  
  Regards,
  
  ***************************

  

  Business response

  03/28/2022

  Mr. and *********************** house has a pier and beam foundation.  When there is change in the soil (rain or drought) the foundation will shift.  This was explained to *************************.  It was explained that it is imperative that the water issue be addressed.  This can help sustain the soil.  We recommended gutters and a French drain be installed.  The agreed upon repairs were to replace rotten beams across the back of the house and to do some minor leveling.  That is what was done.  Nothing was "released" at any time.  The ********* had gotten another bid from another company that was twice the amount of our bid.  These repairs that we bid were the bare minimum that the foundation needed.  Our company did not make a profit off of this job.  ************************* is an acquaintance of ************************* and this is why the job was done at such a low cost.  The $3,000 was used for materials and labor only. There was no warranty given because it was considered a deal for a friend.   

  As stated before, after the repairs the levels were checked and all were within acceptance of industry standards. ****************** called a few weeks ago, on a Wednesday, and asked if we could come out three days later to come take another look.  It was explained that we work seven days a week and currently we are six weeks out on scheduling and he would be added to the wait list.

  Foundation repair is never a permanent fix.  The soil in East Texas makes it impossible to make permanent repairs.  We have no control over the ground soaking up water and then drying out causing foundations to shift.  As seen on our commercial, we do repair cracks that are in the brick exterior.  We recommend calling a sheetrock expert to make crack repairs to sheetrock inside the house.  No where on our commercial does it say we repair cracks in sheetrock. 

   

  Customer response

  03/30/2022

  Complaint: 16342157
  
  I am rejecting this response because: When estimate was given I specifically talked with owner a **** at no time did we discuss only minimal repairs would be done! We also discussed having a French drain put in and were told by **** that this was something they could do as well! I made it perfectly clear that the cost was not and issue! As we were having work done on the house that could not be complete until leveling was complete! The concerns were that it was fine right! I myself asked **** if the price needed to be adjusted as this price had been quoted sometime ago and since then a large tree had fallen on the house and really shifted the foundation! **** responded that he could do it at that price but never said it would be a minimal repair job and they would only be replacing the rotten boards on the back of the house as I would have never agreed to that because work that had to be done on the house could be in jeopardy of destabilizing as the leveling was not done correctly!!! I made sure to make it clear to **** I was not nor did not need a favor in the price I just needed to be done right!! My floors in front room are still unleveled but it amazes me how they can put their leveling tool down and it shows it to be level! To be honest after reading his answer I believe all they repaired was the rotten wood in the back of the house and not sure how much of that was done as we still have some areas bulging in the area that was supposed to be repaired! It is true we got an estimate that was much higher than what he quoted but we didnt go with them because the quote we got was almost half the price of what we are paying for our house! We received another quote as well and thank t wasnt much higher than the quote from **** * however they were not going to be able to get us in until later in the yes and house had repairs that could not wait due to tree failing and as far as the French drain he never got back with us regarding installing and when contacted its always he will give us a call or come by and it never happens.
  
  Regards*
  
  ***************************

*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. ↩