ComplaintsforChimneys Done Wright

• Initial Complaint

  08/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I contacted Chimneys Done Wright (Shannon Wright) in late June 2024 for the purpose of getting a bid on chimney repairs. I already had two bids for the repairs and wanted a third. I told Mr. Wright what repairs I needed, namely re-pointing/repair of chimney masonry, insertion of two stainless steel chimney liners, and installation of a wood-burning fireplace insert. Mr. Wright insisted he could not give a bid without doing an inspection and that the inspection would cost $150. Since I anticipated the repairs would cost over $10,000.00, I decided it might be worth it to pay for the inspection/bid. Mr. Wright's policy of requiring a paid inspection in order to give a bid on the work was in alignment with ***** ***** *******, another company I considered getting a bid from. Mr Wright inspected the chimney on July 3, 2024 and I paid the $150.00. He provided the bid for the work on July 9, 2024. (see attached documents). When I searched the Virginia DPOR database I discovered that Chimneys Done Wright was not licensed as required by law. This meant I could not get a permit which would help me ensure the repairs comply with all applicable code provisions. Mr. Wright was wrong in charging me for a bid on construction work he cannot legally undertake without a contractor's license. Mr. Wright should refund the $150.00 I paid for the "inspection" required to get the bid. In searching for a contractor to do my chimney repairs, I relied heavily on BBB's website. I noted that ****** ******* and ******* ******* both had an "F" rating for not being licensed. I incorrectly assumed that the A+ rating for Chimneys Done Wright meant it was properly licensed. Hopefully the BBB listing for Chimneys Done Wright can be adjusted to reflect that the business is not licensed to do the repair work it shows on its website (*********************************************************).

  Business response

  08/06/2024

  The customer originally reached out for an inspection of the chimney not for repairs to be completed. We provide an inspection with a safety certificate to the customer and the cost of that visit was $150. The customer did advise she would obtain two additional quotes before making any decision but we were the first company to come out. Once we sent an estimate for the cost of repairs that were needed, the customer reached out to confirm if we had a contractor license and then advised she did not want us to do the repairs since we did not a contractor license. We did not hide this and we're very upfront about this when asked. We completely understood why she choose to go another route. The customer did not ask for a refund until after obtaining the other two quotes and realizing the other companies did not charge an inspection fee. We understand other companies choose to provide free quote services in hopes for additional work, our first priority is to ensure the safety of the chimney while it is intended to be used. This means we are taking time to fully assess the chimney to make sure the customer is not at risk of a home fire now or in the future regardless if we perform any future repairs or not. Our recommendations for any needs are shared thereafter. For some homeowners, this documentation/inspection is required for their homeowners insurance to show yearly upkeep and safety. The cost for the inspection was disclosed up front prior to scheduling the visit and was agreed to verbally at that time therefore was not reimbursed. 

  Customer response

  08/09/2024

  I have reviewed the response offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.  Wright's response does nothing to resolve my Complaint. He does not deny the only three relevant facts: (1) in order to get a bid, I had to pay $150.00 for him to inspect the project; (2) I paid the required $150.00; and (3) he is not licensed to do the work. By bidding on work he is not licensed to perform, Wright has committed a Class 1 misdemeanor. VA Code § 54.1-1115(A) (“The following . . . shall constitute the commission of a Class 1 misdemeanor: (A) Contracting for, or bidding upon the . . . repair or improvements to . . . real property owned, controlled or leased by another person without a license . . .). The BBB should require or recommend a refund.The factual issues raised in Wright's response are relevant only to veracity. Wright's statement that I “originally reached out for an inspection of the chimney not for repairs to be completed,” is a lie that conflicts with my July 1 text (see Wright's documentation) sent after our initial phone conversation, and in which I say, “I just spoke with you about repairing my chimney and installing a fireplace insert.” Wright's assertion that he was the first to provide a bid and that I did not ask for a refund until I got other bids and realized other companies don't charge for bids has no support in his documentation. The documents attached to this reply show I obtained my first bid on June 7 and a second one on June 13, 2024, two to three weeks before I first contacted Wright.At the very least, the BBB should review and amend its A+ rating for this business. Wright's reference to the A+ rating (see, Wright's documentation, text messages dated July 14), is an obvious reference to his BBB rating. By allowing Wright to use the BBB's A+ rating to legitimize and give credibility to his unlicensed contracting business. *** *** ** ************ ***** ****** *** ********* * ******** ** If the BBB considers the licensing issue to be best resolved by the Virginia DPOR, I request that my Complaint be dismissed with the right to refile it after I obtain a ruling from DPOR. 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. ↩