Designscapes by Wendy

WENDY COLLINS HAS FAILED TO PRODUCE A $13,00O KITCHEN CABINET ORDER & CLAIMS SHE'S BROKE & GOING OUT OF BUSINESS
I CONTACTED WENDY COLLINS IN JUNE 2017 TO GET GUIDANCE ON A KITCHEN REMODEL. SHE FIRST PROVIDED BAD KITCHEN PLANS THAT MY CONTRACTORS CHALLENGED HER MEASUREMENTS ON. SHE THEN CORRECTED THE BAD MEASUREMENTS AND DESPITE MY REPEATED REQUESTS TO GET THE CABINETS CHOSEN AND ORDERED, SHE KEPT BLOWING ME OFF CLAIMING SHE COULD GET THE CABINETS IN 10 DAYS TO 2 WEEKS. SHE FINALLY SHOWED UP 9/22, THE DAY WE WERE LEAVING FOR VACATION & I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO ORDER THE FLOORING & CABINETS I WANTED. SHE PULLED A SWITCH ON THE CABINETS WEBSITE SHE'D SENT ME SO I ENDED UP ORDERING A CABINET IN THE COLOR I WANTED THAT WAS CLOSE TO THE DESIGN I WANTED. 12/13/17 - WE'VE REPEATEDLY ASKED ABOUT DELIVERY DATES FOR THE CABINETS, KEPT GETTING BLOWN OFF & DELAYED DATES. 12/13/17 GOT A RESPONSE FROM HER - NO CABINETS, SHE'S BROKE & GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. WE PAID HER $13,000 FOR THE CABINETS & SHE ADVISES SHE CAN'T REIMBURSE US UNTIL SHE GETS A LOAN.

In October of 2012, my wife & I contacted [redacted] of Designscapes by Wendy LLC, [redacted] XXXXX, as a general contractor for some remodeling work in our home at [redacted] Ma. XXXXX. The work involved adding a double dormer in one of our upstairs rooms and remodeling of the kitchen by adding and moving some cabinets. On October 5, 2012, she provided us a quote for $ 17758.00. The dormer work involved preparation of engineering drawing and approval from the town of Northborough followed by actual construction and the kitchen remodeling project basically required fabrication and installation of several cabinets. She asked for an advanced payment of $8000.00 for these project. I provided [redacted] a check for $8000.00 on November 5, 2012.The dormer project got delayed due to delays in the engineering work and then the work could not be started due to winter. But [redacted] told us that the drawing will be submitted for approval so that dormer work could start in Spring of 2013. Later, after waiting for several months, we contacted Northborough town hall to find out to our surprise that no engineering drawing was ever submitted for the approval.In the mean time [redacted] told us that the kitchen project could be completed while we were waiting for the winter to be over.The project continued to be delayed and we had difficulties contacting [redacted] either by phone or e mail. Finally in February of 2013 she took measurements of the kitchen cabinets and told us that the cabinets have been ordered. Months went by and nothing happened. Every time we contacted her she mentioned that there were some delays.Finally in April 2013 she came to our house with two carpenters [redacted] & [redacted] of M&S Custom Builders, [redacted] XXXXX) and suggested that it was better to custom build the cabinets. We received a revised work plan on May 9, 2013 and a quote only for the revised kitchen remodeling project of $9153.00 on May 30, 2013 which we agreed to. [redacted] required mine and [redacted]'s signature for approval and a first deposit of $2850.00 from [redacted] (to be followed by three more payments to him). [redacted] and I signed the contract on June 3, 2013 and she promised to send a check to [redacted] promptly to his home address in [redacted] XXXXX. Nothing happened until June 11. So I reminded her again. She told me that she mailed the check on June 11. I continued to check with [redacted] until June 20 but he did not receive the check. In the mean time I also continued to inform [redacted]. After some looking around she told me that she had forgotten to write [redacted] address on the envelop and so it was returned. But she would hand deliver the check to [redacted] on June 21. [redacted] called me on June 24 and informed me that he had not received the check. I informed [redacted] again on June 24 but now I have no reply from her. Today is June 27 and I have not heard from [redacted] as yeProduct_Or_Service: Home RemodelingAccount_Number: [redacted]Desired SettlementRefund of my entire advance payment of $8000.00.Business' Initial Response Hello[redacted] Sorry for the delay in my response. I have been working out of town. I'm not sure how to respond to this to tell you the truth. all my years in business and I have never had a complaint. As I can truly understand my customers frustration with this project. My frustration has been double theirs at minimum. Wonderful people. wonderful customer. Yet very undecided in the way they wanted things done, or how. I did give them an estimate originally on a project involving an addition to their second floor. We were to move forward with an engineer and get plans drawn up to proceed. It was a bit difficult because of the construction of their home. Post and beam prefab. Myself nor my subcontractors have had any experience in. We were hopping to begin the project before the winter months. Unfortunately that could not happen. I went through 2 sets of my subs. Bringing them over and doing some investigation. Then we got slammed by winter weather. We could not start such a project until spring. during those months the customer added things to the workload. new cabinets, countertop, closets, lifting, etc...When the weather broke and the drawing was done we reevaluated. I brought the plans and my new sub over to go over the job. We re estimated. I had paid for plans, yet they were not happy with them. I had ordered cabinets for the kitchen. there was some delay due to backorder,..yet I cannot control any of that. Things changed again..adding to job. Cabinets were canceled because they decided they wanted custom built ones. designs changed because again, they added and changed their minds. All of which is wonderful,..yet all of which causes delays. I will agree at times I am difficult to reach. some customers require constant contact, yet it is difficult for me to give. I am a hands on worker. I work long hard hours and also have a family. much of the time I work out of town. Boston, Glouster, Maine, and Rhode Island. time goes very quickly sometimes before I can respond. There also was difficulty catching up with my sub to get him the first of his deposit. Unfortuneate mail delivery, and pick up. yet I did track him down for his initial 3000. [redacted] did contact me last week and ask status. I let them know that I would contact [redacted] sub and he would update them. I feel at this point it is best that I communicate with the sub who is doing the job and not the homeowner. I cannot possibly monitor his progress. It is best he do all the updating. I did let them know that. The job is underway and will be completed as we have made the final contract on the work. I did not charge the homeowner the 450 I paid for the plans, nor the 275 restocking fee I paid in their initial cabinet order. It's unfortunate there have been so many delays. Yet I am confident they will be happy with their final project. Their deposit of 8000 will be paid to [redacted] the subcontractor by myself. Once that has been depleted the customer will pay the rest directly to him. the initial deposit which is required,..50% was paid to my company. So I will need to disperse that to the sub for my records. My apology to the company has been sent. And I wish the best for them. It's is very disappointing that I am replying to this now. As I always do my best for my customers and will continue to do so. Thank You.[redacted]Consumer's Final Response First thing so far no work has been completed in the kitchen project as yet, almost after 9 months. I will be satisfied if the promise made by the contractor to pay [redacted] in timely fashion is kept. I met with [redacted] yesterday. He says he is willing to take over the project provided he is paid in timely fashion each installment as he completes them. He also says he will not be responsible for any cost over run since he did not cost the total project.