Bruce K Chain Construction

[redacted]
8/14/2014
      I have been in business locally, for some 30 years and take my reputation very seriously. I was truly sorry that this...

situation wasn't handled in a manner that might best suit everyone concerned. Regarding the accusation that I called anyone a liar is preposterous. The arrangement originally called for a larger down payment as the potential customer had made some changes in their needs and I adjusted the amount required to retain us (Chain Construction) DOWN from the original amount.
      The scope of this project was such that would warrant a day or possibly two, as lee-way, for any unexpected delay, and in good faith, provide a 'real' and accurate time for completion.
      After having gone over the scope of the project, I explained to Mrs. [redacted] (whom I sat with alone), and tried to work out a schedule that might accommodate their very specific time line. We discussed the option of she and the family staying in a hotel for one or two of the final days of construction (instead of for two weeks for the entire project to be completed) so as not to create a 'dust' issue for the family. She was very receptive to the two day option at the hotel but NOT the entire two weeks.
      We then approached the timeline from the finished date backwards in order to ascertain a specific 'start date' that would allow us to finish on schedule. This is where the 29th of June came into play. I absolutely DID tell Mrs. [redacted] that we didn't work on weekends and in fact , my sons Birthday was directly on the 4th and we had family plans, so the soonest we could actually start would be that first Monday. With them staying at the hotel for a few days at the end, Mrs. [redacted] agreed to the terms and the contact was signed.
   On my way home from the second trip out to their home, I received a call from Mr. [redacted] who was audibly upset. He proceeded to reject the schedule that Mrs. [redacted] and I had agreed upon AND after demanding his money back if I couldn't start on that Sunday AND work through the 4th of July weekend, he wanted his money back.
    I tried my very best to reason with him but he became more inflamed at which time I explained I wasn't going to refund the $175 retainer, and before I could suggest a counter offer and amicable resolution, he blatantly and harshly, said "that if I didn't didn't refund his $175, he would have his attorney contact me...AND THEN HE ABRUPTLY HUNG UP!!
    Obviously, I was now, in a position (from the start) that would make it impossible for me to actually do his job, nor was I in the mindset to give back his $175. Had he not been so rude and, had not hung up, there would have been time to discuss an option, possibly an offer, perhaps a refund of a portion of his retainer, but after the abrupt and rude manner in which he chose to end the conversation, I feel justified in how I handled myself and strongly feel that this issue evolved MAINLY due to the fact that Mr. [redacted] was on a different page than Mrs. [redacted], therefore creating the confusion in scheduling. It was obvious to me that the call I received from Mr. [redacted] came instantly after he had just seen the arrangements that his wife had just approved. I will also mention that she was without question, the one deciding what would be.
   This situation cost me three hours on a weekend that I had previous plans yet because of Mr [redacted]'s pleading for an immediate consult, I went out of my way to help accommodate, I then made a second trip for some two additional hours, and this is without adding in the gas expense incurred as well.
    I will also add that I provided considerable advise and information pertaining to their electrical and plumbing issues as well, and this had NOTHING to do with MY scope of work.
   So, in conclusion, I am sorry that everyone involved in this issue had to be upset and, had cooler heads prevailed, an amicable resolution most probably would have been reached...but given the manner in which the [redacted]'s handled this situation, I am now comfortable with how the issue has ended.
    
    P.S.,  Again, having been in business for some 30 years, and the scope of my work reaches from $2K to $85K (none being any more important than the other,) I have NEVER left a customer unhappy, and my history as a reputable business man can be acknowledged by my Revdex.com rating.
    Although this may tarnish my history, I feel strongly that on occasion, it can be the contractor that is abused and misrepresented and must, as in this case, take a stand and stay true to his values.
Kindly, [redacted] Chain

Review: We signed a contract with [redacted] agreeing to specific time frame and put money down. He is now retracting his statement and won't refund us.

We had [redacted] come out to the house and give us a bid on some work on our house. We agreed that the work would be done in seven days. Upon the agreement we signed a contracted and gave [redacted] a check for $175.00. A couple of days later we had discussed the timeline of the job and his show up time. He told us he didn't work weekends when we agreed to start on the 29th of June 2014. Then he proceeded to tell us that our job would not be completed within the seven days. He stated that he was taking the 4th of July and the weekend off to further delay our house being finished. [redacted] proceeded to tell me I should have told him the 29th was a Sunday. I told him I check my own calendar when I make appointments and he should do the same. I told [redacted] I wanted my money back and we were not going to be using his services. [redacted] then told me I would not receive a refund because he came out to my house twice for measurements. I told [redacted] his contract does not state anything about no refunds. [redacted] mentioned that he already rearranged his schedule also after 2 days. I told him that it should not totally ruin his schedule after 2 days. I also told him about our agreement and why he told us on thing and is doing another. He told me he doesn't know why he would tell us these things and basically called me and my wife a liar.Desired Settlement: I would like our $175.00 refunded!

Business

Response:

8/14/2014

I have been in business locally, for some 30 years and take my reputation very seriously. I was truly sorry that this situation wasn't handled in a manner that might best suit everyone concerned. Regarding the accusation that I called anyone a liar is preposterous. The arrangement originally called for a larger down payment as the potential customer had made some changes in their needs and I adjusted the amount required to retain us (Chain Construction) DOWN from the original amount.

The scope of this project was such that would warrant a day or possibly two, as lee-way, for any unexpected delay, and in good faith, provide a 'real' and accurate time for completion.

After having gone over the scope of the project, I explained to Mrs. [redacted] (whom I sat with alone), and tried to work out a schedule that might accommodate their very specific time line. We discussed the option of she and the family staying in a hotel for one or two of the final days of construction (instead of for two weeks for the entire project to be completed) so as not to create a 'dust' issue for the family. She was very receptive to the two day option at the hotel but NOT the entire two weeks.

We then approached the timeline from the finished date backwards in order to ascertain a specific 'start date' that would allow us to finish on schedule. This is where the 29th of June came into play. I absolutely DID tell Mrs. [redacted] that we didn't work on weekends and in fact , my sons Birthday was directly on the 4th and we had family plans, so the soonest we could actually start would be that first Monday. With them staying at the hotel for a few days at the end, Mrs. [redacted] agreed to the terms and the contact was signed.

On my way home from the second trip out to their home, I received a call from Mr. [redacted] who was audibly upset. He proceeded to reject the schedule that Mrs. [redacted] and I had agreed upon AND after demanding his money back if I couldn't start on that Sunday AND work through the 4th of July weekend, he wanted his money back.

I tried my very best to reason with him but he became more inflamed at which time I explained I wasn't going to refund the $175 retainer, and before I could suggest a counter offer and amicable resolution, he blatantly and harshly, said "that if I didn't didn't refund his $175, he would have his attorney contact me...AND THEN HE ABRUPTLY HUNG UP!!

Obviously, I was now, in a position (from the start) that would make it impossible for me to actually do his job, nor was I in the mindset to give back his $175. Had he not been so rude and, had not hung up, there would have been time to discuss an option, possibly an offer, perhaps a refund of a portion of his retainer, but after the abrupt and rude manner in which he chose to end the conversation, I feel justified in how I handled myself and strongly feel that this issue evolved MAINLY due to the fact that Mr. [redacted] was on a different page than Mrs. [redacted], therefore creating the confusion in scheduling. It was obvious to me that the call I received from Mr. [redacted] came instantly after he had just seen the arrangements that his wife had just approved. I will also mention that she was without question, the one deciding what would be.

This situation cost me three hours on a weekend that I had previous plans yet because of Mr [redacted]'s pleading for an immediate consult, I went out of my way to help accommodate, I then made a second trip for some two additional hours, and this is without adding in the gas expense incurred as well.

I will also add that I provided considerable advise and information pertaining to their electrical and plumbing issues as well, and this had NOTHING to do with MY scope of work.

So, in conclusion, I am sorry that everyone involved in this issue had to be upset and, had cooler heads prevailed, an amicable resolution most probably would have been reached...but given the manner in which the [redacted]'s handled this situation, I am now comfortable with how the issue has ended.

P.S., Again, having been in business for some 30 years, and the scope of my work reaches from $2K to $85K (none being any more important than the other,) I have NEVER left a customer unhappy, and my history as a reputable business man can be acknowledged by my Revdex.com rating.

Although this may tarnish my history, I feel strongly that on occasion, it can be the contractor that is abused and misrepresented and must, as in this case, take a stand and stay true to his values.

Kindly, [redacted] Chain