ComplaintsforHaas Development & Construction

• Initial Complaint

  03/21/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I hired **** Construction in April of 2021 to build a DADU on my property as the *************** has streamlined this process. I was told the project would likely be finished by the end of July 2021, as the cottage itself consisted of pre-made panels per the design pre-approved by the ***************. They received 80% of their money from me (about 80k) in June of 2021. During the months of July and most of August they abandoned the project with no written notice. They did not complete the electrical according to the drawings and did not advise me. They tried to solicit final payment in November of 2021, but I discovered that the job was not finished. I feel I was taken advantage of as a single mother and it wasn't until a family friend advocated for my project that I discovered the unfinished items. It has failed several permits/inspections and still requires a side sewer scope. The company is refusing to finish and demanding payment. I feel they actually owe me money for the unreasonable amount of time this project has taken.

  Business response

  03/23/2022

  This issue is likely heading to litigation. We have repeatedly checked in on the customer and responded to comments/requests. When payment came due (11/18/21), the customer stopped communicating with us.  We received one payment of $5k on 3/15/22 on the balance of $24,584.65 invoice that was due 11/18/21, after many attempts to contact the customer and set up some sort of plan. We offered to do a payment plan if the client did not have all the funds. We had an in person meeting set up for 3/16/22 but it was canceled as we decided we just needed a phone call instead. The client and her "representative" were not able to in the afternoon and was going to call that night, but they didn't. There is another invoice for a sewer permit that was due 2/14/22 for $1546.26 that has not been paid.

  Customer response

  03/29/2022

   
  Complaint: 16909648
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  **** has failed to address the issues I brought forward.  Their declaration that the project was finished and final invoice submitted in November is false.  The project was not finished then, and is still not finished.  Their "final" invoice was sent in February.  Their response that I have not been in communication is also false.  There has been multiple attempts at communication and attempts to resolve this.  The site site survey and sewer scope are within the scope of this project, and both have still not been completed.  I have a contracted project that is not complete, and I cannot conduct my business which has caused me to lose money.  **** has also failed to complete the project in a reasonable time frame.  It's unfortunate that this has been elevated and could not be resolved otherwise. There is ample documentation to support my complaint.   
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Caitlin *****

  Business response

  03/30/2022

  To whom it may concern,
  We have attempted multiple times to work out payment with the homeowner without success.  The homeowners previous statements are not correct, which she knows.  I am attaching documentation and final punch list from the homeowner with notes and pictures showing all final work was completed some time ago.  ***************** already cleaned the unit prior to the final work and is not responsible for the dust on the floor.  That was done by painters and workers that have been in there since we left doing work that was not in our scope.  We are also attaching a signed change order from the client showing that the sewer survey and side sewer permit was out of scope which is why she signed a change order several months ago.  This directly conflicts with the owners previous posting where she said the survey and side sewer permit was in scope.
  Regarding the project taking longer than it should we agree with that statement but the delay was driven by our entire team coming down with COVID multiple times and having to quarantine for at least two weeks each time.  This threw the company schedule into chaos all summer and required us working with clients to get caught up.  We communicated this to the client and she allowed us to finish the entire project before raising any issues with timing that would prevent payment.  
  The outstanding balance is over 20k dollars (90k project in total) and there is absolutely no justification for now closing out the payment.  The homeowner has many options per the contract to have another contractor complete the work but she allowed us to get through the entire project then decided not to pay.  All subs and others have been paid in full in spite of the client not paying her ****.
  Thanks.
  *****************

  Customer response

  04/02/2022

   
  Complaint: 16909648
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  

  In regards to Davids response. The first thing I'd like to point out is that the time to try and bring this project to completion is way beyond the normal scope a project of this size should take.  This project was simple and without any major or unusual conditions that could hamper or cause any delays.  In fact I was verbally told by **** in May of 2021 that it could be completed by the end of July.    In the contract's "Article III 3.3" "The statement"  "Regarding the project taking longer than it should we agree with that  statement but the delay was driven by our entire team coming down with COVID  multiple times and having to quarantine for at least two weeks each time.   This threw the company schedule into chaos all summer and required us working with  clients to get caught up."   That statement is a lie!   Also please refer to article 3.4  Time is of the essence in this contract During all the absences from my project, which many times exceeded more than ten days, there were never any written notices.  Additionally, during these alleged times of chaos, **** had ***** working at multiple jobs. One was on *******************. Another in Wallingford.  One in Magnolia. They were even working at ******* personal properties in West *******.  All this can be verified by interviewing his employees at the time.  Also by verifying state employment records.  That would include hours reported to L&I and employment security.  Also by statements from the clients they worked for during that time.   This alone makes it clear that I have been lied to.  I feel I was taken advantage of being a single mother with little prior knowledge of construction contracts, practices and requirements of building codes.  I had to seek advocacy through a family friend with a 35 year career in construction to guide me through this process. The last work change order I was told to sign was indeed coerced by **** saying that they couldn't finalize the job until I paid more money.  This concerned the survey for the setback and side sewer.  If my representative hadn't mentioned these two items in the punch list they would never had brought them up. They, without permit, test and inspection hooked up the sewer.  Knowledgeable contractors, with any experience, would have known this to be illegal.  Also the concrete foundation was poured before the setback inspection.  The setback inspection is still required (survey).  This is very important. This could eliminate or prevent any future disputes between property owners or legal right of ways with the city.       The subject of a side sewer permit and a site survey was never mentioned before I consulted with my representative when he helped me put together a final punch list. This can be verified by the date when **** applied for the SS permit which was after I emailed this concern in the final punch list.  *****/**** knew that the side sewer permit/inspection was an integral part of the construction agreement. Just like the electrical permit/inspection and plumbing permit/inspection. It was never listed as being out of the scope.  This also is true for the site survey. You can imagine the city would never allow a DADU to be built without first establishing the legal setback requirements.  These items still have not been met by the city inspectors.  They've been told on multiple occasions that these issues need to be addressed. For **** to state that their work is complete and want final payment is a joke. In consultation with my attorney I feel we should proceed with legal action to recover expenses to finish the side sewer and setback survey, as well as recover lost wages for my inability to use the Dadu for my business.  This was the purpose of the Dadu in the first place, which **** construction was well aware of.

  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Caitlin *****

  Business response

  04/06/2022

  Better Business Bureau:

  We will accept the offer of arbitration.

  Sincerely,

  **** Development & Construction

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