Carson Rodgers Builder/Remodeler, Inc.

I have completed over one thousand floor plan contracts and this is the first time anybody has accused me of deceiving them and it is one time is one to many.I have added a “not for build clause” to my floor plan contract in hope to prevent this from happening again.  I want to apologize to [redacted] and [redacted] for any misunderstanding and offer them a $200.00 credit.Thank you[redacted]

I was hired by [redacted] and [redacted] to draw a floor plan of a room addition attached to their existing home. This also includes finding out the property regulations such as setbacks and public easements. I explained to [redacted] and [redacted]  that a floor plan is a diagram...

 of a room or rooms from above looking down.  The floor plan also shows room sizes, location of doors, windows and how the room addition is placed in conjunction with the existing home.  I also explained to both [redacted] and [redacted] that the floor plan is a tool used to convey a message in design and budget.  I also explained to both [redacted] and [redacted] that it could take 2 or 3 different floor plan designs to find the blend where budget meets design.  Once the design and budget are agreed upon we can then move into the construction document phase.  It was also explained to both [redacted] and [redacted] that the construction document phase is a separate contract and fee. It was explained in detail to both [redacted] and [redacted] that the floor plan is the first step or phase in the in the construction document process. In the floor plan phase we explore all the options like room size, room location and the general footprint of the addition.  The floor plan is also the tool used to establish a budget.  It is extremely unfortunate that [redacted] and [redacted] did not understand this helpful process and expected a full set of construction documents for $450.00!  The floor plan contract states nothing about a building permit or anything about the permit process.  Construction documents contain multiple pages including  lot survey plan, foundation plan, plumbing plan, framing plan, electric plan, hvac plan, finishes, construction details, construction notes and engineering.  There is also a plan check fee, building permit fee and possible related utility fees.  None of these items are mentioned in the floor plan contract. I never told [redacted] or [redacted] that you could take a floor plan to the city building department for a building permit.  This is an unusual accusation from them. I explained in detail to both [redacted] and [redacted] multiple times our process before the floor plan contract was signed.    And again the floor plan contract says nothing about a building permit or the process.  The floor plan contract was sent to [redacted] and [redacted] on January 14 and signed by them January 18.  [redacted] and [redacted] had 4 days to review the floor plan contract and digest my conversation about the floor plan process.  I also attached a link to my web page and I strongly recommended reviewing this page because it explains the process under the heading “Addition”. This is what my web page states:ADDITIONThe addition is adding structure to your existing home. It can be a garage, a patio, a guest room, a second story, but the most common is the expansion of an existing room like a kitchen, a master bedroom or a garage. The addition has two critical areas: one being the interior footprint and how it flows with the existing and second the exterior tie-in and how it conforms to the existing.  A simple floor plan and a little research is all that is needed to develop an estimate. I am amazed at the number of people who pay for a full set of construction plans without a solid budget and end up redesigning the project to fit their budget or get discouraged and abandon the idea completely.   A competent contractor can bid an addition with a little research and simple floor plan. Here are some helpful tips.1. Never pay for a full set of construction plans without an accurate estimate.  A little research and a simple floor plan is all that’s needed to develop an accurate estimate.2. A building permit is always needed when adding on to your home.3. Take note of existing sewer line and water main.4. Take note of underground and aboveground electric main line, electric meter, gas meter and gas line. 5. Septic tanks can turn up in the most unusual places. There are many undocumented septic tanks, cesspools and buried swimming pools in our valley.6. The addition must fit within zoning setbacks.  A front setback may be 30 feet.   This means the dwelling must start at a minimum of 30 feet from the front property line. Each side of the property has a setback.7. The addition must fit within the percent of lot coverage.  If the percent of lot coverage is 50% this means half of the lot can be covered by roof. This includes overhangs, patios and outbuildings like a storage shed. 8. Utility upgrades may be needed if major plumbing and electric are involved. It is obvious  that [redacted] and [redacted] both failed to listen to my explanation, read my web page and read the contract.  I cannot be held responsible for their negligent actions. The contract signed by both [redacted] and [redacted] on January 18, 2015 has been satisfied and no refund will be issued.Thank you for your time

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.I strongly disagree with [redacted]. I know what a room addition is, I also know the contract [redacted] and I signed for was to get a permit which we didn't get. His response in the email was not what he told us. No way would I pay for for a design of the room addition. We had to hire someone else to get a permit. Of course a budget had to be in place. We stuck with our budget. We're getting exactly what we ask for.  And, I did ask him could we get a permit with the plans, he told us "YES". Why would we pay for anything less. We told [redacted] that we were on a budget and had been cond  before. We trusted him. [redacted] was WRONG. He didn't explain the plans was for room measurements. If he had told us this I would of sent  [redacted] on his way. Anyway, the way [redacted] explained it in the email, we would of had to pay for his plans and for a permit, "WRONG". I want my money back. He lack the ability to be trustworthy. Regards,[redacted]

Review: On January 14 2015, I had a consultation with Builder [redacted] Rodgers Remodeler for a room addition on my home. We paid a fee of $100.00 for that consultation, plus $350.00 a total of $450.00 for floor plans. He sent me a email plans showing how I can arrange my furniture in the addition. Before signing the contract for the plans I had ask him could we take the plan to get a permit in the event we didn't hire him for the construction work. He told us before us seeing the plans it was all we needed and the plans was ours to keep. He misrepresented him self. He knew that we couldn't get a permit with what he gave us (plans with placement of furniture on a piece of paper with numbers on it.) He gave us a bid for the work, but it wasn't in our budget, I had ask him again about the plans, I was told me that he wasn't finish with them. He then sent me another plan with placement of furniture, smaller than the first plan. He sent me a copy of the contract, stating this is what we paid $350.00 for. I want my money back. Like I said, he misrepresented himself and plus he lied to us. Now we have to pay someone again for construction plans.The plans he gave us is useless. I went to the City of Phoenix permit office, and showed him what I had. He told me that the piece of paper wasn't plans. I needed plans for electrical, framing, footings ect. He gave a list of requirements they needed for the construction. This was not what we got.

Business

Response:

I was hired by [redacted] and [redacted] to draw a floor plan of a room addition attached to their existing home. This also includes finding out the property regulations such as setbacks and public easements. I explained to [redacted] and [redacted] that a floor plan is a diagram of a room or rooms from above looking down. The floor plan also shows room sizes, location of doors, windows and how the room addition is placed in conjunction with the existing home. I also explained to both [redacted] and [redacted] that the floor plan is a tool used to convey a message in design and budget. I also explained to both [redacted] and [redacted] that it could take 2 or 3 different floor plan designs to find the blend where budget meets design. Once the design and budget are agreed upon we can then move into the construction document phase. It was also explained to both [redacted] and [redacted] that the construction document phase is a separate contract and fee. It was explained in detail to both [redacted] and [redacted] that the floor plan is the first step or phase in the in the construction document process. In the floor plan phase we explore all the options like room size, room location and the general footprint of the addition. The floor plan is also the tool used to establish a budget. It is extremely unfortunate that [redacted] and [redacted] did not understand this helpful process and expected a full set of construction documents for $450.00! The floor plan contract states nothing about a building permit or anything about the permit process. Construction documents contain multiple pages including lot survey plan, foundation plan, plumbing plan, framing plan, electric plan, hvac plan, finishes, construction details, construction notes and engineering. There is also a plan check fee, building permit fee and possible related utility fees. None of these items are mentioned in the floor plan contract. I never told [redacted] or [redacted] that you could take a floor plan to the city building department for a building permit. This is an unusual accusation from them. I explained in detail to both [redacted] and [redacted] multiple times our process before the floor plan contract was signed. And again the floor plan contract says nothing about a building permit or the process. The floor plan contract was sent to [redacted] and [redacted] on January 14 and signed by them January 18. [redacted] and [redacted] had 4 days to review the floor plan contract and digest my conversation about the floor plan process. I also attached a link to my web page and I strongly recommended reviewing this page because it explains the process under the heading “Addition”. This is what my web page states:ADDITIONThe addition is adding structure to your existing home. It can be a garage, a patio, a guest room, a second story, but the most common is the expansion of an existing room like a kitchen, a master bedroom or a garage. The addition has two critical areas: one being the interior footprint and how it flows with the existing and second the exterior tie-in and how it conforms to the existing. A simple floor plan and a little research is all that is needed to develop an estimate. I am amazed at the number of people who pay for a full set of construction plans without a solid budget and end up redesigning the project to fit their budget or get discouraged and abandon the idea completely. A competent contractor can bid an addition with a little research and simple floor plan. Here are some helpful tips.1. Never pay for a full set of construction plans without an accurate estimate. A little research and a simple floor plan is all that’s needed to develop an accurate estimate.2. A building permit is always needed when adding on to your home.3. Take note of existing sewer line and water main.4. Take note of underground and aboveground electric main line, electric meter, gas meter and gas line. 5. Septic tanks can turn up in the most unusual places. There are many undocumented septic tanks, cesspools and buried swimming pools in our valley.6. The addition must fit within zoning setbacks. A front setback may be 30 feet. This means the dwelling must start at a minimum of 30 feet from the front property line. Each side of the property has a setback.7. The addition must fit within the percent of lot coverage. If the percent of lot coverage is 50% this means half of the lot can be covered by roof. This includes overhangs, patios and outbuildings like a storage shed. 8. Utility upgrades may be needed if major plumbing and electric are involved. It is obvious that [redacted] and [redacted] both failed to listen to my explanation, read my web page and read the contract. I cannot be held responsible for their negligent actions. The contract signed by both [redacted] and [redacted] on January 18, 2015 has been satisfied and no refund will be issued.Thank you for your time