Accent Architecture PLLC

This project had nothing to do with hurricane sandy, it was to add a deck to his house and to legalize some illegal work he had done, but it had nothing to do with the hurricane or any related damage /> This client never paid us $(we have records to prove this and the other claims we’ve made in this response)In fact, there is also an unpaid balance due on this project for services that we've already providedHe also didn’t pay everything upfront, nor do we require that of our clientsHe made three separate payments during the course of our services We couldn’t file for a permit, because he wanted a larger deck than the zoning code permitted and he didn’t want to apply for a varianceAn Architect cannot file documents, that he knows do not comply with the zoning code, unless a variance is intendedIn spite of the fact that we told him that it cannot be approved, he tried to force us to file the larger deck by verbally abusing me and my staff and making numerous threats against us for months Instead of paying what he owes us for the time we had already spent and continuing his project, he decided to shop around for someone cheaper to finish it up and to avoid paying his past due balanceIt’s very easy for someone to take a job from Y-Z, when the bulk of the process from A-X has already been completed We have gone to the building department and pulled the plans he had prepared by the other Architect who replaced us - First of all, the deck they show is smaller than the one we had proposedIt’s missing a portion that wrapped around the kitchen, is 6” shorter than the one we had proposed and also required the removal of a bay window to add to the deck spaceReducing the size of the deck is exactly what we told him needed to be done, but he refused to let us file a smaller deckI guess after he was told the same thing by another professional, he had no choice - Second, the dates on the plans themselves show that it was in progress for over four months not two weeks - Third, he didn’t hire an Architect, he hired a drafting service and the plans were stamped by an Architect - Fourth, the illegal covered porch isn’t being legalized in the new drawings, so the new drawings don’t even cover the same scope of work ours did - Fifth, the lot coverage was not only calculated wrong, but the plot plan and zoning calculations are missing the walk out bay window at the front of the houseThis bay window reaches the floor and is therefore considered a cantilever which counts towards lot coverageSo even though the deck is already smaller than the one we had proposed it’s still over sized by about a foot and a half because of this errorThis would be a real problem if it were discovered by the building department Even if a job gets approved, built and a certificate of occupancy is issued, the building department could still force an owner to go for a variance or to remove a portion of a deck to bring it into compliance, if the job was approved in errorOn these plans, the plot plan was drawn wrong (missing the cantilever) and the lot coverage was just stated, but the calculations weren’t broken down step by stepUnless it’s challenged by the plans examiner or there’s a complaint filed against the property, the building department will just accept what’s presented and approve itIf it’s reported to the building department, it will become the Architect’s liability, and the owner’s financial burdenJust because an Architect makes an error on a zoning calculation and it isn’t picked up by the building department, that doesn’t mean it could be keptIf this error is reported, that could be a huge problem for him I hope that this complaint will not deter future business Unfortunately, every business must deal with the possibility of this happening to themHe of all people should understand this since his wife runs a business out of their house and faces the same riskHis current actions merely threaten to harm the integrity of my business and to damage my reputation, in hopes that I’ll give him his money back out of fear, but that will never happen I have worked very hard to establish a good track record and to have successful relationships with my clientsI have worked with people in multiple states and seven different countriesI’ve helped numerous Sandy victims, I’ve provided a full range of services that go far beyond just architectural plans and have even been a professor of Architecture as wellConsidering the large volume of work that I’ve done and the thousands of people that I’ve worked with throughout my career, and have never had any complaints until now, is proof that I’m doing pretty well by my clientsTrying to get his money back for bringing the project from A-X, is dishonest and unsubstantiated, particularly when there’s also an unpaid balance to address as well When I'm approached by similar customers, I refuse to help them, because I will not stab another professional in the backThere are some Architects and Engineers that victimize clients mind you, those jobs I will happily take over, but someone looking to swindle a professional out of money for work they’ve already completed is immoralI have superseded numerous Architects in my careerTaking a project from Y-Z after A-X has already been completed is very easy to doCould the project have been completed for $from where we had left off, sure it couldSo not only has he saved money by stiffing us out of a payment, but now he’s even trying to get more than his money back on top of it A detailed description of what had transpired is as follows: After we had entered into a contract and had already begun the process, he informed us of some illegal work that he had done to his front porchSince this work wasn’t covered in the original agreement, we had to revisit the site, measure, photograph and do additional drawings, which he was charged extra for When we started the project, he had provided us with a copy of his surveyIn accordance with the zoning code, the dimensions shown on this survey allowed a certain size deck to be built on the back of his houseFurther into the process, he had ignored our advice, as we tried to discourage him from making additional changes to his property before our project was filedWe told him that a new survey would be needed to document those changes if he proceeded with the additional construction, prior to us filing for the deckHe ignored our advice, did it anyway and therefore needed a new surveyHe obtained one, but it contained numerous errors, including missing dimensions and structures(We have multiple copies of revised surveys showing this)We had spent a great deal of time communicating with him and the surveyor to correct these items Once the survey was corrected, we had explained to him that it had shown different dimensions than the first survey and that it will reduce the size of the deck that he is permitted to buildWe had multiple meetings and conversations with multiple plans examiners, including the chief plans examiner from the building department, to confirm thisWe had explained to him that he will either need a variance or will need to reduce the size of the deckHe didn’t want to pursue a variance, so he agreed to build a smaller deck instead Upon his request, we then proceeded to design multiple options for him, showing the smaller deck that he was permitted to buildHe then changed his mind and refused to accept a deck that was smaller than the original one we had designed for him, back when we were using the older surveyHe refused to authorize us to file for the permit with a smaller deckHe never paid us for the filing phase of the project or provided us with signed applications or a check for the building department’s filing fee, but still insisted that we file the larger original deckWe told him that it would be denied by the building department at that size, and we therefore couldn’t file it unless we intended to pursue a varianceAfter months of enduring his threats and verbal abuse, he eventually left our firm He was only in that position because he had ignored our professional advice regarding the additional construction work he had done prior to filing the application for the deckIf he had listened to us, he would have had the original deck design approved and none of this would have happened We have emails and other records proving each of the claims we’ve made in this response There is an unpaid balance as well, which is probably the reason why this client has never filed a lawsuitIn a lawsuit, I could file a counter claim and am justified in doing so since the majority of our conversations were via email, and are therefore easily provenIn court this would be resolved quite easilyHowever, unless a client does something to provoke the situation further or decides to file a frivolous claim themselves, it’s usually not worth it for a business owner to take the time out of their schedule to file such a claim against a clientHowever, in light of his actions and intent to unjustly harm my business, I have forwarded this complaint to my attorneyIf this matter isn’t withdrawn or if it is taken any further, regrettably I will for the first time in my career, take legal action against a client I have not worked as hard as I have to establish my business, to have someone try to hurt me and my ability to support my family, just because they want to scare me into giving them their money back, especially for work that I’ve already performed and am still owed money forEveryone wants to avoid an expensive lawsuit, it costs BOTH sides of a dispute a lot of unnecessary money, but if it’s to protect the reputation of my business, I really won’t have much of a choice and it will be money well spent as far as I’m concerned

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ***, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:
Accent Architecture PLLC of *** *** *** *** *** ** *** failed to refund my hard earned money $and is trying to extort more money from meAccent Architecture failed to even apply for a permit for which I paid $upfront to obtain from the Town of Hempstead Building Dept. They made many different excuses including my new valid survey from a licensed surveyor was no good. After over a year of frustration I contracted another architect for a total of $800, he used the same survey that Accent rejected and a permit was issued in less than months on my first applicationWhat a difference
In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above
Sincerely,
*** ***

This project had nothing to do with hurricane sandy, it was to add a deck to his house and to legalize some illegal work he had done, but it had nothing to do with the hurricane or any related damage.
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This client never paid us $2900 (we have records to prove this and the other claims we’ve made in this response). In fact, there is also an unpaid balance due on this project for services that we've already provided. He also didn’t pay everything upfront, nor do we require that of our clients. He made three separate payments during the course of our services.
We couldn’t file for a permit, because he wanted a larger deck than the zoning code permitted and he didn’t want to apply for a variance. An Architect cannot file documents, that he knows do not comply with the zoning code, unless a variance is intended. In spite of the fact that we told him that it cannot be approved, he tried to force us to file the larger deck by verbally abusing me and my staff and making numerous threats against us for 8 months.
Instead of paying what he owes us for the time we had already spent and continuing his project, he decided to shop around for someone cheaper to finish it up and to avoid paying his past due balance. It’s very easy for someone to take a job from Y-Z, when the bulk of the process from A-X has already been completed.
We have gone to the building department and pulled the plans he had prepared by the other Architect who replaced us.
- First of all, the deck they show is smaller than the one we had proposed. It’s missing a portion that wrapped around the kitchen, is 6” shorter than the one we had proposed and also required the removal of a bay window to add to the deck space. Reducing the size of the deck is exactly what we told him needed to be done, but he refused to let us file a smaller deck. I guess after he was told the same thing by another professional, he had no choice.
- Second, the dates on the plans themselves show that it was in progress for over four months not two weeks.
- Third, he didn’t hire an Architect, he hired a drafting service and the plans were stamped by an Architect.
- Fourth, the illegal covered porch isn’t being legalized in the new drawings, so the new drawings don’t even cover the same scope of work ours did.
- Fifth, the lot coverage was not only calculated wrong, but the plot plan and zoning calculations are missing the walk out bay window at the front of the house. This bay window reaches the floor and is therefore considered a cantilever which counts towards lot coverage. So even though the deck is already smaller than the one we had proposed it’s still over sized by about a foot and a half because of this error. This would be a real problem if it were discovered by the building department.
Even if a job gets approved, built and a certificate of occupancy is issued, the building department could still force an owner to go for a variance or to remove a portion of a deck to bring it into compliance, if the job was approved in error. On these plans, the plot plan was drawn wrong (missing the cantilever) and the lot coverage was just stated, but the calculations weren’t broken down step by step. Unless it’s challenged by the plans examiner or there’s a complaint filed against the property, the building department will just accept what’s presented and approve it. If it’s reported to the building department, it will become the Architect’s liability, and the owner’s financial burden. Just because an Architect makes an error on a zoning calculation and it isn’t picked up by the building department, that doesn’t mean it could be kept. If this error is reported, that could be a huge problem for him.
I hope that this complaint will not deter future business.
Unfortunately, every business must deal with the possibility of this happening to them. He of all people should understand this since his wife runs a business out of their house and faces the same risk. His current actions merely threaten to harm the integrity of my business and to damage my reputation, in hopes that I’ll give him his money back out of fear, but that will never happen.
I have worked very hard to establish a good track record and to have successful relationships with my clients. I have worked with people in multiple states and seven different countries. I’ve helped numerous Sandy victims, I’ve provided a full range of services that go far beyond just architectural plans and have even been a professor of Architecture as well. Considering the large volume of work that I’ve done and the thousands of people that I’ve worked with throughout my career, and have never had any complaints until now, is proof that I’m doing pretty well by my clients. Trying to get his money back for bringing the project from A-X, is dishonest and unsubstantiated, particularly when there’s also an unpaid balance to address as well.
When I'm approached by similar customers, I refuse to help them, because I will not stab another professional in the back. There are some Architects and Engineers that victimize clients mind you, those jobs I will happily take over, but someone looking to swindle a professional out of money for work they’ve already completed is immoral. I have superseded numerous Architects in my career. Taking a project from Y-Z after A-X has already been completed is very easy to do. Could the project have been completed for $800 from where we had left off, sure it could. So not only has he saved money by stiffing us out of a payment, but now he’s even trying to get more than his money back on top of it.
A detailed description of what had transpired is as follows:
After we had entered into a contract and had already begun the process, he informed us of some illegal work that he had done to his front porch. Since this work wasn’t covered in the original agreement, we had to revisit the site, measure, photograph and do additional drawings, which he was charged extra for.
When we started the project, he had provided us with a copy of his survey. In accordance with the zoning code, the dimensions shown on this survey allowed a certain size deck to be built on the back of his house. Further into the process, he had ignored our advice, as we tried to discourage him from making additional changes to his property before our project was filed. We told him that a new survey would be needed to document those changes if he proceeded with the additional construction, prior to us filing for the deck. He ignored our advice, did it anyway and therefore needed a new survey. He obtained one, but it contained numerous errors, including missing dimensions and structures. (We have multiple copies of revised surveys showing this). We had spent a great deal of time communicating with him and the surveyor to correct these items.
Once the survey was corrected, we had explained to him that it had shown different dimensions than the first survey and that it will reduce the size of the deck that he is permitted to build. We had multiple meetings and conversations with multiple plans examiners, including the chief plans examiner from the building department, to confirm this. We had explained to him that he will either need a variance or will need to reduce the size of the deck. He didn’t want to pursue a variance, so he agreed to build a smaller deck instead.
Upon his request, we then proceeded to design multiple options for him, showing the smaller deck that he was permitted to build. He then changed his mind and refused to accept a deck that was smaller than the original one we had designed for him, back when we were using the older survey. He refused to authorize us to file for the permit with a smaller deck. He never paid us for the filing phase of the project or provided us with signed applications or a check for the building department’s filing fee, but still insisted that we file the larger original deck. We told him that it would be denied by the building department at that size, and we therefore couldn’t file it unless we intended to pursue a variance. After months of enduring his threats and verbal abuse, he eventually left our firm.
He was only in that position because he had ignored our professional advice regarding the additional construction work he had done prior to filing the application for the deck. If he had listened to us, he would have had the original deck design approved and none of this would have happened.
We have emails and other records proving each of the claims we’ve made in this response.
There is an unpaid balance as well, which is probably the reason why this client has never filed a lawsuit. In a lawsuit, I could file a counter claim and am justified in doing so since the majority of our conversations were via email, and are therefore easily proven. In court this would be resolved quite easily. However, unless a client does something to provoke the situation further or decides to file a frivolous claim themselves, it’s usually not worth it for a business owner to take the time out of their schedule to file such a claim against a client. However, in light of his actions and intent to unjustly harm my business, I have forwarded this complaint to my attorney. If this matter isn’t withdrawn or if it is taken any further, regrettably I will for the first time in my career, take legal action against a client.
I have not worked as hard as I have to establish my business, to have someone try to hurt me and my ability to support my family, just because they want to scare me into giving them their money back, especially for work that I’ve already performed and am still owed money for. Everyone wants to avoid an expensive lawsuit, it costs BOTH sides of a dispute a lot of unnecessary money, but if it’s to protect the reputation of my business, I really won’t have much of a choice and it will be money well spent as far as I’m concerned.

I have worked with accent architecture many times, and they have always come through for me and have done an incredible job. The owner is very knowledable and was a professor as well, so he knows what he's talking about. This is a great company and I will continue to work with them in the future.

Review: My wife & I are the homeowners of [redacted]. After Hurricane Sandy we hired Accent Architecture of [redacted] & paid their demand upfront of $2900 to apply for a building permit to build a deck at the back of our home. Between7/2013-5/14 Accent Architecture gave us all sorts or excuses why they cannot even apply for the permit and that I am not entitled to my money back. In 6/2014 I paid another company $800 total & got the permit n 2 weeks with no questions or objections by the Building Department. Accent refused to return our money. I have copies of cancelled checks, receipts and agreement. We need our hard earned money back.Desired Settlement: $2900 refund.

Business

Response:

This project had nothing to do with hurricane sandy, it was to add a deck to his house and to legalize some illegal work he had done, but it had nothing to do with the hurricane or any related damage.

This client never paid us $2900 (we have records to prove this and the other claims we’ve made in this response). In fact, there is also an unpaid balance due on this project for services that we've already provided. He also didn’t pay everything upfront, nor do we require that of our clients. He made three separate payments during the course of our services.

We couldn’t file for a permit, because he wanted a larger deck than the zoning code permitted and he didn’t want to apply for a variance. An Architect cannot file documents, that he knows do not comply with the zoning code, unless a variance is intended. In spite of the fact that we told him that it cannot be approved, he tried to force us to file the larger deck by verbally abusing me and my staff and making numerous threats against us for 8 months.

Instead of paying what he owes us for the time we had already spent and continuing his project, he decided to shop around for someone cheaper to finish it up and to avoid paying his past due balance. It’s very easy for someone to take a job from Y-Z, when the bulk of the process from A-X has already been completed.

We have gone to the building department and pulled the plans he had prepared by the other Architect who replaced us.

- First of all, the deck they show is smaller than the one we had proposed. It’s missing a portion that wrapped around the kitchen, is 6” shorter than the one we had proposed and also required the removal of a bay window to add to the deck space. Reducing the size of the deck is exactly what we told him needed to be done, but he refused to let us file a smaller deck. I guess after he was told the same thing by another professional, he had no choice.

- Second, the dates on the plans themselves show that it was in progress for over four months not two weeks.

- Third, he didn’t hire an Architect, he hired a drafting service and the plans were stamped by an Architect.

- Fourth, the illegal covered porch isn’t being legalized in the new drawings, so the new drawings don’t even cover the same scope of work ours did.

- Fifth, the lot coverage was not only calculated wrong, but the plot plan and zoning calculations are missing the walk out bay window at the front of the house. This bay window reaches the floor and is therefore considered a cantilever which counts towards lot coverage. So even though the deck is already smaller than the one we had proposed it’s still over sized by about a foot and a half because of this error. This would be a real problem if it were discovered by the building department.

Even if a job gets approved, built and a certificate of occupancy is issued, the building department could still force an owner to go for a variance or to remove a portion of a deck to bring it into compliance, if the job was approved in error. On these plans, the plot plan was drawn wrong (missing the cantilever) and the lot coverage was just stated, but the calculations weren’t broken down step by step. Unless it’s challenged by the plans examiner or there’s a complaint filed against the property, the building department will just accept what’s presented and approve it. If it’s reported to the building department, it will become the Architect’s liability, and the owner’s financial burden. Just because an Architect makes an error on a zoning calculation and it isn’t picked up by the building department, that doesn’t mean it could be kept. If this error is reported, that could be a huge problem for him.

I hope that this complaint will not deter future business.

Unfortunately, every business must deal with the possibility of this happening to them. He of all people should understand this since his wife runs a business out of their house and faces the same risk. His current actions merely threaten to harm the integrity of my business and to damage my reputation, in hopes that I’ll give him his money back out of fear, but that will never happen.

I have worked very hard to establish a good track record and to have successful relationships with my clients. I have worked with people in multiple states and seven different countries. I’ve helped numerous Sandy victims, I’ve provided a full range of services that go far beyond just architectural plans and have even been a professor of Architecture as well. Considering the large volume of work that I’ve done and the thousands of people that I’ve worked with throughout my career, and have never had any complaints until now, is proof that I’m doing pretty well by my clients. Trying to get his money back for bringing the project from A-X, is dishonest and unsubstantiated, particularly when there’s also an unpaid balance to address as well.

When I'm approached by similar customers, I refuse to help them, because I will not stab another professional in the back. There are some Architects and Engineers that victimize clients mind you, those jobs I will happily take over, but someone looking to swindle a professional out of money for work they’ve already completed is immoral. I have superseded numerous Architects in my career. Taking a project from Y-Z after A-X has already been completed is very easy to do. Could the project have been completed for $800 from where we had left off, sure it could. So not only has he saved money by stiffing us out of a payment, but now he’s even trying to get more than his money back on top of it.

A detailed description of what had transpired is as follows:

After we had entered into a contract and had already begun the process, he informed us of some illegal work that he had done to his front porch. Since this work wasn’t covered in the original agreement, we had to revisit the site, measure, photograph and do additional drawings, which he was charged extra for.

When we started the project, he had provided us with a copy of his survey. In accordance with the zoning code, the dimensions shown on this survey allowed a certain size deck to be built on the back of his house. Further into the process, he had ignored our advice, as we tried to discourage him from making additional changes to his property before our project was filed. We told him that a new survey would be needed to document those changes if he proceeded with the additional construction, prior to us filing for the deck. He ignored our advice, did it anyway and therefore needed a new survey. He obtained one, but it contained numerous errors, including missing dimensions and structures. (We have multiple copies of revised surveys showing this). We had spent a great deal of time communicating with him and the surveyor to correct these items.

Once the survey was corrected, we had explained to him that it had shown different dimensions than the first survey and that it will reduce the size of the deck that he is permitted to build. We had multiple meetings and conversations with multiple plans examiners, including the chief plans examiner from the building department, to confirm this. We had explained to him that he will either need a variance or will need to reduce the size of the deck. He didn’t want to pursue a variance, so he agreed to build a smaller deck instead.

Upon his request, we then proceeded to design multiple options for him, showing the smaller deck that he was permitted to build. He then changed his mind and refused to accept a deck that was smaller than the original one we had designed for him, back when we were using the older survey. He refused to authorize us to file for the permit with a smaller deck. He never paid us for the filing phase of the project or provided us with signed applications or a check for the building department’s filing fee, but still insisted that we file the larger original deck. We told him that it would be denied by the building department at that size, and we therefore couldn’t file it unless we intended to pursue a variance. After months of enduring his threats and verbal abuse, he eventually left our firm.

He was only in that position because he had ignored our professional advice regarding the additional construction work he had done prior to filing the application for the deck. If he had listened to us, he would have had the original deck design approved and none of this would have happened.

We have emails and other records proving each of the claims we’ve made in this response.

There is an unpaid balance as well, which is probably the reason why this client has never filed a lawsuit. In a lawsuit, I could file a counter claim and am justified in doing so since the majority of our conversations were via email, and are therefore easily proven. In court this would be resolved quite easily. However, unless a client does something to provoke the situation further or decides to file a frivolous claim themselves, it’s usually not worth it for a business owner to take the time out of their schedule to file such a claim against a client. However, in light of his actions and intent to unjustly harm my business, I have forwarded this complaint to my attorney. If this matter isn’t withdrawn or if it is taken any further, regrettably I will for the first time in my career, take legal action against a client.

I have not worked as hard as I have to establish my business, to have someone try to hurt me and my ability to support my family, just because they want to scare me into giving them their money back, especially for work that I’ve already performed and am still owed money for. Everyone wants to avoid an expensive lawsuit, it costs BOTH sides of a dispute a lot of unnecessary money, but if it’s to protect the reputation of my business, I really won’t have much of a choice and it will be money well spent as far as I’m concerned.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

Accent Architecture PLLC of [redacted] failed to refund my hard earned money $2800 and is trying to extort more money from me. Accent Architecture failed to even apply for a permit for which I paid $2800 upfront to obtain from the Town of Hempstead Building Dept. They made many different excuses including my new valid survey from a licensed surveyor was no good. After over a year of frustration I contracted another architect for a total of $800, he used the same survey that Accent rejected and a permit was issued in less than 2 months on my first application. What a difference.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,