Brunk & Hylton Engineering, Inc.

We pride ourselves on serving our clients in a professional wayIn almost years of business, we havenever had a client complain in this mannerThe individual contacted me to do a structural assessment for a proposed addition to an existing residentialstructureThe individual forwarded a
set of building plans that provided the overall building dimensions and internal layout, but not details of the existing structureThe individual wanted to obtain a building permit as soon as possibleThe individual did want an estimate of the *** costsI informed him that it would be best if I lookedat the situation as the plans may not present the existing structureWe do not customarily provide freeestimates if it involves a trip to the siteAfter I reviewed the site, I told the individual that I thought the cost would be around $At that he toldme he would let me know if he wanted to proceedLater he called me at my office and said that he was going to use another engineer who was going to charge$I told him that I already had the cost of my trip in the project and would be willing to match thecompetitor's quoteOn or about the tenth of June, I sent an invoice for my timeThe individual called after he received the invoice saying that I told him we offered free estimatesI told himthat I would consider consulting counselAfter the individual's action in contacting your organization, I was reminded of some wise advice: Some individuals can never be pleased Some projects are better off with the competition.In light of the above, we are willing to forego our invoice for the project.Sincerely,*** ***, *** Vice President

I have reviewed the inaccurate response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], but find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
Regards,
[redacted]

Review: In May I was looking for an Engineer to help me with a construction project. I called around to a couple firms. Mr [redacted] was one of the Engineers I spoke to. He among two other Engineers (from different firms) said they would like to come out and look at the project, to get a better idea of what it would cost for their services. The other engineers were [redacted] (from [redacted]) and Mr [redacted] (from [redacted]). They also offered to come out to give a price for free.

To help them figure a price before they came out I offered to send them a digital copy of my plans. Both Mr. [redacted] and Mr. [redacted] thought it was a good idea to have a copy of my plans to look over, so I sent them. Mr. [redacted] did not want a copy at that time. After looking over my plans Mr. [redacted] decided he could give me a rough estimate over the phone, so he called and gave me his idea of what may be needed, but if I wanted a more accurate quote he would need to come out to look at the project himself. He offered this service at no charge once again. Mr. [redacted] didn't give me an estimate from my plans, he wanted to take a look at the area before he gave me an estimate. I told him I wasn't sure if I was using him or if I was even going to do the project, it all depended on price for his services and the actual cost of the project itself.

Mr [redacted] came out by his own choice to look at the job. He was very nice and we had a nice conversation. He looked over the job and said it wouldn't be a problem to do what I wanted. He explained a few things of how he would approach the job if he got it. He gave me a price of $350.00 for his service to write a letter to the permit office and provide drawings if necessary. I didn't sign a contract with him agreeing to his cost. I told him I thought is price was reasonable and I would get back with him. He did not mention I owed him any money at that time. He left. A few minutes after he left I thought about it and decided to call him back. I told him I thought we would move forward with the work.

Mr [redacted] showed up shortly after my conversation with Mr. [redacted]. Mr. [redacted] also does Survey work. We started talking about the Survey stuff and the [redacted]. He went in detail and explained things that he would do in his own way. I agreed with Mr. [redacted]'s approach and his price was better. He cut my survey cost from $600.00 to $350.00 and priced the [redacted] at $300.00 with unlimited consultations through out my project on the area at hand.

After Mr [redacted] left I called Mr. [redacted] (aprox. 2hr or less from the time he left my home.). I asked him if he had started on my job he informed he he had not, so informed him I changed my mind. At that time he didn't mention I owed him money. He wanted to know what Mr. [redacted] was charging me. So I told him, He offered to match the price if I gave him the job. I told him I was letting Mr. [redacted] do the Survey work and [redacted]. As a courtesy to Him I offered at my on choice to give him some money for his time. My mistake, I figured I would give him $50 which was substantial for his FREE ESTIMATE, that the other two Engineers also offered me. He said I could give him $100.00 if that was ok. I told him that wasn't OK, so he asked me what I wanted to give him. At that point I was disappointed in him taking advantage of my courtesy. So I told him if he thought I owed him something he should bill me. Which in reality I owe him nothing. I never agreed to any cost for his FREE ESTIMATE which included his time that he offered up with out giving me a price.

After getting off the phone with him I called Mr. [redacted] and told him to get started on the project. I offered to pay him immediately. Mr. [redacted] said don't worry about it he will be happy to be paid when the job is completed.

Today I received a bill from Mr. [redacted]. He billed me for $166.00 for reconaissance and travel. At the bottom of his bill it states that if I don't Pay with-in 30 days a 1.5% interest will be added.

So I called Mr [redacted] and asked what the bill was for. He said he billed me for his time. I reminded him of his offer to to come out at no charge. He conveniently said he didn't say that. After talking with him for a few minutes and explaining my frustration with him taking advantage of my courtesy of offering him money for his time when their where no charges associated with his visit or better yet agreed to. He asked me what I wanted to do, so I explained that my courtesy was no longer available to him. That for his insult I wasn't offering the courtesy any longer. Once, again he asked what I wanted to do. I told him I didn't owe him anything so there was nothing to do, but for him the remove the bill from his system. He said he would have to consult his counsel. I'm not sure what that means but I felt it would be a good idea to report this, while I have a full memory of the detail involved.

Mr [redacted] was a very nice man when I met him originally. I didn't mean to hurt his feelings by not using him, I actually hoped that one day I would have a project for him. I don't feel Mr [redacted] is very considerate or honest at this point.

Thank You for your time.

[redacted]Desired Settlement: Remove the bill that I didn't agree to and do not contact me any further.

Or

Show me proof of me agreeing to pay for a free estimate and other incidents of your business charging for free estimates.

Business

Response:

1. We pride ourselves on serving our clients in a professional way. In almost 25 years of business, we havenever had a client complain in this manner.2. The individual contacted me to do a structural assessment for a proposed addition to an existing residentialstructure.3. The individual forwarded a set of building plans that provided the overall building dimensions and internal layout, but not details of the existing structure.4. The individual wanted to obtain a building permit as soon as possible.5. The individual did want an estimate of the [redacted] costs. I informed him that it would be best if I lookedat the situation as the plans may not present the existing structure. We do not customarily provide freeestimates if it involves a trip to the site.6. After I reviewed the site, I told the individual that I thought the cost would be around $350. At that he toldme he would let me know if he wanted to proceed.7. Later he called me at my office and said that he was going to use another engineer who was going to charge$300. I told him that I already had the cost of my trip in the project and would be willing to match thecompetitor's quote.8. On or about the tenth of June, I sent an invoice for my time.9. The individual called after he received the invoice saying that I told him we offered free estimates. I told himthat I would consider consulting counsel.10. After the individual's action in contacting your organization, I was reminded of some wise advice:. Some individuals can never be pleased. Some projects are better off with the competition.In light of the above, we are willing to forego our invoice for the project.Sincerely,[redacted], **. ** Vice President

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the inaccurate response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], but find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

Regards,