Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  05/07/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Our relationship with Mr. Martin deteriorated after he asked me for a loan of $30,000 on February 20, 2024, and then three weeks later went on vacation. This action caused some concern and suspicion on how our funds for our project were being used. Part of this conversation I captured in a text message (see attached, Loan Text). Several billing items are incorrect on contractor's accounting sheet (see attached, ******* ******* ********).) and charges for substandard work that must be redone. Account Summary: 1. VDOT Entrance Fee: Contractor applied for VDOT entrance permit in March 2023 but did not pay the permit fee. I have verified this with VDOT Permit Technician Ms. ****** *******. Contractor listed he paid $1100 on account sheet (see attached, ******* ******* ********). Request amount of $1100.00 be credited to my account. 2. Silt Fence Installation: Total Fees charged by contractor in amount of $1419.81 Site failed *** ********** by ********* County (see attachment, ********** ******* Inspection Ticket). An outside contractor verified silt fence was installed incorrectly and, in some areas, backwards and must be redone. This money will be used to repair and reconstruct the fence properly as required by the county. Request 50% refund. 3. Survey Fees totaling $1625 Incorrect driveway location (see attachment, Driveway incorrect Location) was discussed with contractor in attachment but not addressed. Surveys will need to be redone. Request 50% refund. 5. Contractor list 20 hours for plans revisions (see attached, ******* ******* ********). Contractor did not provide plan revisions for construction nor were we informed he was planning to charge us for this work. Request refund $1400.00 6. Outstanding unpaid residential fees totaling $5619 to ********* County. (attached, Fee Statement). 7. Contract’s accounting sheet shows unused funds: $1197.88 8. Mr. Martin levy’s serious allegations against me and my wife stating we “slandered” his company in his email to me on April 5, 2024 (see attached, Contractors Response). He also states balancing the account is not a priority for him. We have given the appropriate courtesies, and time to resolve these issues. We have not spoken anything untrue of our experience with this company to any subs or suppliers. We do not have any intentions of harming his business. Our objective is to account for personal funds we have provided for our project in the amount of ~ $68,000. 9. Resolution request: $1100.00 credit to account $1197.88 ending account balance $5619.00 unpaid fees to ********* County for residential fees $1400.00 refund for unauthorized work $709.00 re-construction of slit fence $812.00 re-survey of driveway/property Total requested refund $10,837.88

  

  Business response

  06/11/2024

  To whom it may regard, Thank you for reaching out regarding this complaint. I am sorry that we were not able to reconcile this complaint amicably. We have offered this client a partial refund for his troubles to settle this matter amicably and in private but ***** ******* did not accept this offer (See “Settlement Email”). Southern Trace Builders has been working on this project with the *******’s for multiple years, through multiple lots and multiple architects. Unfortunately, our relationship with the *******’s soured when he received incorrect information regarding permits. Before the *******’s discontinued the relationship with their first architect, we submitted completed plans to the county for review. After this, the *******’s hired another architect and made significant changes to the plans, almost completely redesigning the house. At this time the *******’s requested we submit for a foundation only permit. We advised against this several times, but at their insistence, we submitted a foundation only permit with the partially completed plans. For the remainder project, the plans were never completed and given to us for submittal. The customer did request we submit uncompleted plans, which we advised against since supporting walls were being moved. After we installed footers, the customer made significant changes to the plans regarding the shape and size of the house. Therefore, we installed new footers. After this was complete the customer again had us halt progress so they could decide if they should drop the slab in certain areas (See “****d ******* Email 2”). At this point the customer contacted the county to inquire about permits and was incorrectly told we do not have a permit on this project. The customer immediately had Southern Trace Builders stop work. We immediately forwarded all information regarding the permits (see attached) and the customer advised he “may have jumped the gun”. The customer requested a meeting to discuss the miscommunication (see email attached “***** ******* Email 1”). The customer then canceled the meeting. We paid the foundation subcontractor for his work to date on the slab and forwarded accounting to ***** *******. Several accusations contained in this complaint are unfortunately blatantly false. Attached is the Southern Trace credit report. We have a spectacular record in paying our financial obligations, Southern Trace never uses funds for a customer’s project on anything other than that specific project. Responses to numbered complaints:The VDOT entrance fee was due 30 days before completion and does not reflect on the final invoice to the customer. Installation of silt fence was completed on December 8th, 2023 and was completed correctly. Silt fences are not for use over extended periods of time and require updating. Due to the delay in receiving a final set of plans from the customer, these remained in place for an extended period of time and a small portion failed during torrential downpours in late February. The situation was immediately corrected, and more silt fencing was installed. A small portion of the additional silt fencing was facing the wrong way but still performed and corrected the issue. No more complaints regarding mud were received after this time. Per contract, the customer is responsible for securing surveys (See line 3). The provided site plan incorrectly placed the sewer cleanout and therefore the construction entrance was shifted over a few feet till that could be moved. 5.   After the customers ended their relationship with the first architect, the *******’s requested we make edits to the plan. We worked with the customer over the course of 3 months to make edits to their plans. We had several meetings with the customer and the customer advised he was happy to pay for all the time that went into this endeavor. 6. There are no outstanding permit fees to Botetourt County. See attached email from the county and attached permit fees statement. The accounting sheet also correctly reflects paid permit fees. 7. Before the customer canceled the contract, the accounting sheet showed a 15% markup on the contract. After the contract was terminated, the fee rate went to 20%, see Line 18 on signed contract. The customer was advised of this at the signing of the contract. Now the customer has an outstanding invoice of 383.72. We are not inclined to pursue this outstanding amount and offered a refund of $2,145.28 to amicably part ways and settle this matter privately. 8. We have provided accounting of this matter multiple times and the customer independently verified that we paid these amounts. 9. The previously offered settlement in this matter is $2,145.28. 

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