Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  08/22/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I recently purchased a camp. The septic tank needed to be replaced the seller's realtor received an estimate for $6,200 From Minor Bros construction. On 11/10/2024. I called ***** Minor and he agreed to honor the estimate. He called 6/25/24 and arranged for the work to be done on 6/27. He stated his brother lived nearby and would be the one to do the work. They will arrive at 8:30AM. The estimate included demo of the existing one, install a new tank with four 2000lb concrete blocks to strap down the tank to prevent rising, erosion control measures as it is shoreline property and the seeding/stabilization after back fill. They arrived at 10:15AM showed them where the tank was located and found the tank immediately under 3 inches of topsoil. They found nothing wrong. One of the covers had a crack. They traced the pipe to the to the camp and found roots had grown into the 3inch pipe. They decided to replace it. They left at 10:45AM to get supplies needed. Returned at ************** is 10 mins from the camp. Supplies used: 10ft PVC 4inch pipe, elbow, a reducer from 4 to 3in, pipe cleaner and cement. They left at 12:45 PM. Before leaving, his brother spoke with my husband, informed us that we'll be receiving a new invoice as the work done was a lot less than the estimate. He also told my husband we won't be responsible for the tank. It was something they used. After two weeks, I had not heard from ***** and emailed. He then sent an invoice for $4,920. He removed the cost of the tank only. The sheet was blank with just a price. I requested an itemize bill on 7/20/24. On 7/23/24, I received an itemized bill for $4,440.73. His letter indicated he was expecting 6000 the full amount. He feels this was very reasonable price. NO erosion control was used. The area is very close to the neighbor's property line. No weighs seeding/stabilization of the area was done after completion. Equipment used was less than 20 minutes. I am left seeding and stabilizing the area.

  Customer response

  09/01/2024

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.

  Business response

  09/23/2024

  I was originally contacted through a realtor (Mr. ********* about replacing the septic tank at this residence location. My proposal was for another family that was buying this property and they ended up backing out due to health issues and then ****** ******** and her family ended up buying the camp. Mr. ******** then reached back out to me and asked me if my price was still good for this project and I responded to him saying yes I will hold my price for this repair. Mr. ******** had originally reached out to me because he received a quote from another contractor for an amount of $10,000.00 to make this repair and I ended up coming in at $6,200.00 so they (the original buyers) chose to go with my price. 
  
  I ended up speaking with ****** over the phone and scheduling the work to be completed. At that time I told her, I needed to purchase the plastic septic tank and once I knew what the lead time was, I would let her know when we could get onsite. A couple of week (maybe 3 weeks give or take) went by and I had received the tank in my possession. I scheduled the work with ****** at that time and then we showed up to her camp afterwards to perform the work. When we showed up to the job site ********* Camp) we checked everything over and noticed that the tank didn't actually need to be replaced but the pipe coming from the camp to the tank was full of roots and not letting anything pass through. We ended up replacing the pipe from the camp to the tank, explained to the owner what we did and then packed up and left. We left the tank uncovered because we told the owner that there should be a tank riser installed and then backfilled around the tank riser which the owner took care of themselves. 
  
  My original proposal was for $6,200.00 (Lump Sum which was spelt out on my proposal letter that the owner has). Typically regardless of what has happened when you provide a customer with a proposal that is lump sum and you make a repair, you get paid the full amount. I didn't feel that ****** should pay the full amount because I didn't actually replace the septic tank like my proposal said so I removed the cost of the septic tank and some material cost that I had in my original bid and invoiced her for the day of work that we performed. I am sure ****** does not understand what it costs a company to be in the excavation business but things are not cheap in this industry and I try to be as fair as I can. My original proposal stated that I would be done in one day and that portion did not change, we showed up mid morning and left mid afternoon. The only thing that changed in the entire scope was the tank that did not get installed and those plastic tanks are about $1,500.00 so I removed that amount and re-invoiced ******. 
  
  At this time, I would rather just accept the $1,000.00 that ****** thinks our service cost and move on as I don't have the time to dispute over a small amount. I definitely don't want anyone leaving bad reviews about our company as we are a small company and we are just doing our best to help customers out. I would like to wish the ******** family all the best and to just settle this dispute with an Invoice acceptance of $1,000.00
  
  Thank you,
  ***** Minor
  Owner/Operator
  Minor Bros Construction

  Customer response

  09/23/2024

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does satisfy my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint #********. I understand that by choosing to accept the business response that my complaint will be closed as resolved. 
  
  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. ↩