Central Mass Building & Construction

We had a major house renovation project involving foundation repair, driveway widening and repaving, roof stripped and re-shingled, and interior work including heating and electrical We posted our job on the Revdex.com web site and received several bids
We selected Central Mass Building & Construction because during the site visit, Jeff did a thorough analysis of our needs He made several great recommendations to not just fix the damage, but make changes to prevent future damage and protect our investment It was obvious that he has years of experience and a wealth of knowledge about all aspects of home construction, repair, and renovation The bid we received was comprehensive, detailed, and fair
During the project, the entire team was very friendly and open about the work they were doing, and willing to work with us to make sure we were completely satisfied Inevitably, during any large scale project some unanticipated things will arise We were always informed of exactly what was happening and given choices of how to proceed The extra costs above the original bid were very minimal They were for work above and beyond the original scope of the project, and they were clearly explained and approved by us prior to being done
I have nothing but great things to say about Central Mass Building We are thrilled with the finished home improvement and couldn't be happier with the work I would not even consider using any other contractor in the future if/when we have another project to do

I hired this contractor and wass told the job would be completed in four weeks. It's been 11 weeks and not done properly or on time.The contractor started July 4th week and stated the job would take four weeks. There were times they did not show up at all, once for two whole weeks. Everytime I talked to the Contractor I was told it would be done by a certain date and it never was. The window contractor came to the site and contractor and sub-contractor were so concerned about getting the tools they need for another job they just left with the window contractor standing there. I had just happened to stop by. The contractor told me that he had another big job, I said I understood, but even when I tried to talk to him and was promised all kinds of results, nothing ever happened. After 2 months and them never showing up, or showing up for maybe 4 to 5 hours, I showed the contractor all of the issues to that date (late August) that were not done right. Things not sealed properly, nails not banged in, a mountain of trash in the yard for over a month, stairs not attached to the house, hole in the siding, cellar door not put back up, sill not sealed, hole in ceiling, etc. He promised me a whole team of guys would be there the following Tuesday to take care of everything. One person came and had no idea what I was talking about. The work is inferior. I was expected to do some of the work that a contractor or sub-contractor should have done (putting a vent in the floor, putting the cross pieces in the windows. After ten weeks and being told that it would be done last week or early this week and nothing was done. I emailed the contractor and told him if it wasn't done by Thursday 9/18 I would contact the Revdex.com. They came and removed the pile of trash, did the electrical. As of today, the ceiling isn't finished being sanded, they have not returned my tarp or extension cord with a three pronged outlet (which I asked for in the email, I did not mind them using them, I told them they could. They have not gotten The final inspections on the wiring or construction for the building permit. Currently the floor they put down does not even go up to the baseboards, the doors going outside do not work properly, the double doors do not align right, they did not finish sanding the ceiling, I have a hole in the ceiling that was not patched (there were two, he patched one, really sloppy), I have nails and screws coming through the walls and sill that should not be there. I am doing the staining, primming and painting as agreed but I feel they should have sunk the nails and filled the holes and left me with an area and room that I could start doing that in and not what I have been left with.Desired SettlementI would prefer that they get the final inspections, return my house key and that I do not have to pay the final $1,500.00. I will fix the issues myself and I would prefer not to have to have anything to do with this contractor again.Business Response We realize it took longer then expected due to the electrical (which was explained verbally) and thought there was a mutual understanding. The times we did do work there the client was happy and if there was an issue, we rectified the situation. The job was signed off by the City of Fitchburg building department on September 23, 2014. The house key was left under the mat for the building inspector.We will forgive the final payment of $1,500 dollars due. In return we would appreciate the withdrawal of your complaint from the Revdex.com. We apologize for any misunderstanding and inconvenience to you. Consumer Response (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)If they will forgive the $1,500 dollars I will consider the case closed but I will not withdraw the complaint. The lenght of the job was not due to the electricl only and the contractor knows that. I am not satisfied with the quality of the work but would just like the matter settled and not to have to deal with those people any more. I have a long list of all the items that were not done right or not done at all. The building department signed off on the permit but only after the contractor had to come back and fix an issue that the building department had told them about on a previous visit.

Overall quality of work fails to meet contractual agreement and customer expectations. Additionally, contractor damaged driveway, lawn, and fence. On 26JUN14, after observing the work that had been done to date, I called Mr. [redacted]'s mobile number and left a voice mail message concerning my dissatisfaction with his work. On the same night, I sent a detailed email communication discussing my concerns as follows:1. The base of the retaining wall was not dug down to ~ 12" as stated in the contractual agreement2. The wall is uneven, unlevel, and bowing around a huge stump3. There are gaps between the blocks (~1-2")4. The blocks are overhanging (unevenly) from top to bottom5. The blocks are not butted up against the existing wall and there are missing blocks6. Concerned with the recommendation of using the existing (broken) sections of wall as back fill. I thought this was an unprofessional recommendation based on the size of the sections and the space they would leave behind the new wall threatening the integrity of retention.I did not hear back from Mr. [redacted] until my husband called his mobile line the next day. My husband discussed the points with Mr. [redacted] and Mr. [redacted] desperately tried to justify his poor craftsmanship. Suggesting to cover the ugly wall with a fence. Mr. [redacted], in conversation, expressed discomfort in taking the job which seemed to be over his head.In addition the the points already discussed, we suffered property damage to our newly landscaped lawn, new fence, 2 year old driveway, and tree.Mr. [redacted] verbally agreed to repair the landscape that he damaged with his heavy equipment, to repair the driveway with a landscape tamper, and to provide extra material for my husband to replace the damaged fence. Which brings me to my next issue...the fence that was to be installed per contractual agreement. "Install gated fence approx. 22' ft. made from white cedar or pine to match existing as best as possible."The existing fence is a cedar, 6' x 8', dog ear style. The fence Mr. [redacted] installed is a 4' x 6', picket fence (not at all the same). The fence did not have a gate, was not level, did not reach the retaining wall, and the posts were less than 2' deep. The corner fence was not even secured to a post on one side.Again, my husband complained to Mr. [redacted] and he has stated that the fence will be corrected.At this point in the job, we have zero confidence that the finished product will be what was expected, and agreed upon, contractually and otherwise. I'm leary to have Mr. [redacted] repair the driveway and lawn which cost us ~ $18,000.00 to install.Desired SettlementThe total quote for the job is $9,375.00.We have paid two of the three installments ($4,688.00 + $2,687.00 = $7,375.00) with a balance of $2,000.00 remaining.I would like to suggest a refund for all labor services since we are completely dissatisfied with the result, and with the additional property damage. We were not given an itemized list of materials estimated or used in this job so that will need to be disclosed. We are prepared to cover the materials for this job but feel that the service is so poor as to warrant a full refund. Business Response 1. The person that filed this complaint was not the one who hired us or signed the proposal. The [redacted] mother, [redacted] hired us,signed the proposal and paid for the work. Once we started the job, we were contacted by [redacted] and [redacted] the actual [redacted]. We were put in the middle of a family situation but tried to be diplomatic and appease everyone involved.2. We had to drive a backhoe on the lawn to access the area where the retaining wall was being done. It would be impossible for any person to avoid driving on the lawn and if we could have avoided it we certainly would have.3. We did not dig down 12" in some areas because there was a frost wall. In areas where there was no frost wall we dug 12" down and added stone.4. The signed contract stated we would be using cement blocks and the debris from the original wall would be used for fill. We explained that the cement blocks were for retention purposes only and not esthetic.5. There was a small portion of the fence approx. 22' that was included in the proposal. We agreed to remove the section that was installed and redo it to meet the[redacted] expectations. The [redacted] sent a text and told me he would finish the fence using the last payment of $2,000.00 that was not received to purchase fencing.6. There was a large stump in the retaining wall which myself and the [redacted] agreed to leave as is. We all agreed that removing this may cause the wall to collapse.7. We verbally agreed to come back and re install the fence to the customers satisfaction, repair any damage to the lawn and repair the driveway. The [redacted] have decided to part ways without us returning to fix their concerns.8. We argree to forgo the final payment of $2,000.00 so the [redacted] can purchase and install the new fence. We agree to refund the customer $1,000.00(our labor cost) for any repairs to the property. Due to the price of materials, removing debris from the site, transporting the backhoe and fuel we believe reliquishing $3,000.00 will easily cover the expense for the fence and repairs.