Dear Revdex.com, The complaintant's response is pretty much indentical to the original complaint Therefore, I have previously addressed any and all issues I feel strongly that Ms [redacted] has received an above average installation of a geothermal system We have contractually fulfilled our obligation to this customer As you can see in her complaint she has not referenced any non-contractual defects However, we continue to feel confident that we have no further liability to Ms***, but because we value all of our customers, this is what I propose Remove old furnace Fasten any piping Ms [redacted] deems necessary Remove "so called sludge" in backyard Install appropriate breaker to handle circuits Repair any area of fence that she deems we are at fault for In return, I would expect Ms [redacted] to revise her complaint to fully satisfied If she opposes this proposal, I am willing to participate in the Revdex.com's arbitration process that is available to consumers and contractors In the event this complaint does proceed to arbitration, the above offer to settle is no longer valid Sincerely, ***n [redacted] Geothermal Connect LLC
Revdex.com: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted] , and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below Mr [redacted] has been clear that he considers his installation to be properly done and to the best of his abilities I am not confident that he himself is able to address the defects I listed and photographed or he would have done so in the first place I would still be much more comfortable having professionals in each field repair and finish the work Regards, [redacted] ***
Customer signed a contract dated Dec31, to install a geothermal heat and cooling system in her home, which also included drilling bore holes vertically deep each using DNR approved grout material Customer was never assured nor does the contract indicate the entire system would be installed within days Due to the severe winter weather conditions from December through March the drilling of the bore holes was delayed Because of the vast amount of water used during the drilling process ice buildup is a great concern As soon as the weather conditions were conducive to drilling, the drilling process was commenced All time record lows for this past winter couldn't possibly have anything to do with the "partial" loss of her lilac tree Most homeowners in the Milwaukee area have experienced some vegetation death from the record breaking cold It is absurd to assert that Baroid bore gel had anything to do with her "partial" loss of the lilac bush In a previous discussion concerning the lilac bush, our company graciously offered to replace the bush but Ms [redacted] declined In reference to electrical connections, the electrical connections were not part of the contract, only the low voltage connection for the thermostat Customer was responsible for all high voltage electrical work However, our company offered as a courtesy to install the circuit breaker The electrical conduit has been moved to not obstruct the laundry chute The electrical conduit was moved even though our company was not responsible for it in the first place The fencing was repaired per her request and satisfaction Ms [redacted] is disingenuous and quite frankly a lier Our contracts, deliberately, do not include start or completion dates due to the many variables involved Geothermal Connect LLC has no responsibility nor liability for her fuel oil costs Removal of her old furnace was not part of the contract Insulation of basement pipes was not included in the contract It is not needed for the performance of the system However, we had some insulation in the truck at the time and put some on at no charge to the customer In conclusion, the geothermal system was installed professionally and operates as it should If the Revdex.com has an independent contractor that reviews the contract and inspects the geothermal system at Ms***'s house, any defects per the contract will be rectified immediately [redacted] Geothermal Connect LLC
Revdex.com: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted] , and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below It is true that I was given no written assurance that the project would be completed in days However, Mr [redacted] stated several times at the onset that he would easily have the system in by the end of January He suggested at the onset that I only get a half tank of oil instead of a full tank as that’s all I would need before he had the new furnace installed I was VERY understanding of the weather delays—until they stretched into spring and summer I also winced every time I saw the bill for another tank of oil I hadn’t anticipated needing or budgeted for With multiple installation delays there was no way to accurately plan to use up remaining oil without risking running out this winter Mr [redacted] told me many, many times over the past seven months that if there were any problems to let him know and he would take care of it Yet to date, the only items he attempted to repair were to replace the bent gate post—leaving the bent gate and fence, and to move the conduit he had installed below the laundry chute The pictures I have attached show: **See additional email for pictures This email won't send with them attached and keeps timing out Damage to the gate and fence Gate post was replaced by contractor afterwards Fence and gate were not repaired I brought these to his attention several times Sludge discharge in the flower bed and beneath the lilac tree Note dead branches only above that area and even diminished weed growth in the area, even after heavy rains No other plants or trees in front or back yard showed any weather-related damage I am not requesting a new tree or plants, simply soil testing and sludge removal by a licensed landscaper, not Mr [redacted] Inappropriate wiring changes Mr [redacted] combined four circuits into two breakers of his own volition and notified me after he had done so (bottom right side of box in picture) I was not asked to have additional space added or informed of the need to do so Any work he chooses to do should be done to ensure household safety and up to code I requested that he have a licensed electrician repair his work Unstable plumbing installation Note especially the one pipe fastened to the corner of a single, free-standing 2x Plumbing pipes can be moved easily by hand and are not stable enough to remain in place for the lifetime of the heating system I am asking that the contractor have the plumbing installed properly by a licensed plumber and secured to ceiling beams as the rest of the house’s pipes are There is also a 10+ foot discharge pipe running directly across the middle of the basement to the drain which is going to be very much in the way, but I don’t know of a good solution to that Furnace base support structure Rather than extend ductwork to meet the furnace unit, which is slightly shorter than the old furnace, the new unit is standing on a wood base and secured with rocks and 2x4’s While seeming unprofessional and ugly to me, it is relatively secure I’m not happy with it but can live with it if it is deemed safe by independent professionals Piping hanging from ceiling I am not happy with piping hanging in the middle of the basement by the heater and behind the cellar door In light of the other issues these are relatively minor; however, I would really be happier if they were secured and less in the way Additional notes and project difficulties: I understood the oil tank would not be removed by the contractor He did, however, state that he would remove the old furnace several months ago and it seemed a natural part of the project to expect that he do so I asked again last week when he came to finish installation and he said he would come Saturday to do so Upon learning about this complaint I had lodged, Mr [redacted] emailed that he would not be returning I also understood that the yard would be a mess when he finished The mess exceeded my imagination My driveway was covered in deep mud and literally felt like a calf pen that hasn’t been cleaned out for the entire spring Getting from the house to the garage left mud up the sides of every pair of shoes I wore No attempt was made to push topsoil to one side before digging and the yard was a big clay mess when he finished A raised flower garden, about 1/of a huge raspberry patch, and a rose bush were left intact by the drillers and then razed by Mr [redacted] All were outside of the immediate work area I was out of town for two weeks in late June/early July When I returned I noticed a large, maybe 5x5, wet area to the side of the furnace and into the basement rug in that area As the rest of the basement was dry and I don’t generally have a wet basement, I suspect the furnace unit had been leaking Mr [redacted] installed the superheater the following week, so I am hoping whatever was leaking has been fixed I will contact him if I see further leaking No attempt was made to share the burden of my additional installation-delay costs by the contractor, nor was I offered any type of discount or rebate for my patience (beyond his repeated verbal thanks and apologies) He took any cost-cutting measure possible, at my long-term expense I anticipate incurring costs in the near future for plumbing repairs, electrical box repairs, soil testing, furnace removal, fuel oil removal, and oil tank removal Of these, removal of the oil tank is the only portion I had expected to have In addition, I would like to add that Mr [redacted] asked for payment in full in early April before he would give me documentation of the project to file with my taxes He was just finally installing the furnace at that time and I accept that it was pretty stupid and irresponsible of me to trust that he would finish the project professionally When I signed the contract in December, he was confident that he would be done long before tax season and it didn’t even occur to me that this project would drag on for seven months I have had positive experiences with pretty much every contractor I’ve worked with in the past and have learned my lesson the hard way this time I was not given the owner's manuals, including maintenance schedules and warranty, and requested these more than once Mr [redacted] has said he has requested copies from the manufacturer I will follow up if I do not receive them I too would appreciate an assessment of the work done by an independent investigator In particular, it would make me feel better to know for sure what is in the sludge discharged into my yard and if it is safe, as well as which portions of the electrical and plumbing work are safe and stable for long-term use and which need the most immediate fixing Sincerely, [redacted] ***
RevDex.com: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted] , and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. Client not able to submit for building permit without licensed HVAC contractor. Contractor not licensed more than ten months after signing contract. Contractor non-responsive for over one month when project needing to move forward. Contractor failed to produce any useful product and kept $5000.00 deposit. Product produced was unusable drawings and non-licensed engineering data. Contractor asked client to obtain, learn, and use CAD software to make drawings acceptable. Hours spent on project by contractor are irrelevant if no useful product provided to client. No physical work completed, therefore no funds due contrator. Regards, [redacted] ***
I was really looking forward to getting a serious issue corrected in my home, but I made the mistake of letting the home warranty company refer me to Lion's Den Plumbing without reading the rest of the star reviews that Yelp is littered with
ABSOLUTE DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THIS COMPANY
PLEASE read the reviews before letting your Home Warranty send these guys
Alex was arrogant and unprofessional
When he came in, Alex asked to be walked through the problems but then took a phone call just a few minutes in leaving me standing in the bathroom trying to explain things to his assistant only to come back and make me explain it all over again
After "inspecting" the water heater for seconds, immediately said it's fine, and was unwilling to do anything further to diagnose
No supplies, no information on the home prior to the visit
Had nothing to say about the water seeping from the Gate Valvejust, it's fine
Yes, I've had other companies look at it before Alex glanced at it and both said the same thing , that it needed to be replaced with write-ups to show
Didn't even turn on the water to see if it would get hotIT WON'T!
After Alex told me he was going to step outside to get his snake to clear the kitchen sinks' drain, he literally got in his truck and LEFT!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
I called Jode, the owner, and he advised me that "he didn't need to explain his plumbers actions "and "They knew how to do their jobs" and "didn't need to answer any questions that we may have"
Excuse me, You're in MY HOME, not the other way aroundIf I have questions, I expect answers, not condescending remarks from ownership
Obviously the apple doesn't fall far from the tree with ownership like thisWhat a joke!
AVOID AT ALL COSTS!
Attention: Revdex.com of Wisconsin
First we would like to respond to the statement by Mr*** that our company is not licensed in the City of Chicago Attached you will find documentation that supports our position that we are ready and able to
be licensed upon
submitting licensing payment Payment has not be made because Mr*** has not been ready to start the project City of Chicago license fees are excessive and are only good for one year Furthermore,
we had to incorporate our business with the State of Illinois and did so with an expense of $Mr*** and I have communicated at least times via telephone and email correspondence since the inception of the contract in June, Please see attached contract The contract does not indicate a definitive start date because
Mr*** was very unsure of when he needed the geothermal installation project to begin since he had multiple issues to work out with the City of Chicago relative to his property Our company has not received any certified indication to start
the project, however, Mr*** was very able to certify a letter to cease the project Let it be known that hundreds of hours have been expensed on Mr***'s project with no less than four trips back and forth from Wisconsin, multiple emails and phone
conversations with his architect, twenty plus hours consultation with Gustave Larson Co(Milwaukee, WI), and no less than hours in the Chicago permitting process Our final position is that Mr*** breached and terminated the contract therefore a balance of $104,is due
and owing to Geothermal Connect LLCBest Regards
Geothermal Connect LLC*** ***
So Landmark Home Warranty sent a plumber that came last time my plumbing issue that happened (Lions Den)guy came out and I explained to him clearly what the issue was and he said it would be a week to get the part (and they didn’t rush it, after being without hot water for over a week)...they finally got the part and replaced itbut the water heater still didn’t workAnd when the plumber called the manufacturer to get tech support on the line to troubleshoot they were gone for the day (and they don’t work the weekend, and the plumber came on Friday) so now we have to wait till Monday for the plumber to call them and troubleshoot it which will inevitably result in them ordering a new part and us waiting several more days for them to fixAlso, this plumber does not know how to fix tankless water heaters, they require someone to walk them through the issue (which this happened months and they need to call the manufacturers tech support to resolve the issue)I have researched the issue on my own and found a cure to the issue, and sent it to the person who worked on water heater and has not used that information to his advantage to fix the issueWe are going on the 3rd week with no hot waterWe called the home warranty company back on that Friday night, min later we spoke to someone who laughed at us when we told he the issue and she said a manager would call us in the morningThe manager never called us so we called to speak with a supervisor, which we did but she offered no resolution and continued to speak over my wife as she expressed her concernsAlso I have a month old who does like to bath, just not in cold waterNot to mention we need to clean his bottles in warm water, which we don’t have
the good: they were a lot cheaper than everyone else, they wanted our business and worked with us despite a leaky old house. the bad: system failed soon after installation (they did come out quickly), very slow work(4 months+), they contracted out and the workers complained to us they were not getting paid, left equipment in yard for over a year.
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
Client not able to submit for building permit without licensed HVAC contractor. Contractor not licensed more than ten months after signing contract. Contractor non-responsive for over one month when project needing to move forward. Contractor failed to produce any useful product and kept $5000.00 deposit. Product produced was unusable drawings and non-licensed engineering data. Contractor asked client to obtain, learn, and use CAD software to make drawings acceptable.
Hours spent on project by contractor are irrelevant if no useful product provided to client. No physical work completed, therefore no funds due contrator.
Regards,
[redacted]
The complaintant's response is pretty much indentical to the original complaint. Therefore, I have previously
addressed any and all issues.
I feel strongly that Ms. [redacted] has received an above average installation of a geothermal system. We have
contractually fulfilled our obligation to this customer. As you can see in her complaint she has not
referenced any non-contractual defects. However, we continue to feel confident that we have no further
liability to Ms. [redacted], but because we value all of our customers, this is what I propose.
1. Remove old furnace
2. Fasten any piping Ms. [redacted] deems necessary
3. Remove "so called sludge" in backyard.
4. Install 1 appropriate breaker to handle 2 circuits.
5. Repair any area of fence that she deems we are at fault for.
In return, I would expect Ms. [redacted] to revise her complaint to fully satisfied. If she opposes this proposal, I am
willing to participate in the Revdex.com's arbitration process that is available to consumers and contractors.
In the event this complaint does proceed to arbitration, the above offer to settle is no longer valid.
In response That Geothermal connect llc is not licensed ,we are licensed in Wisconsin and have been approved in Chicago see first response.
Mr. [redacted] had left one message that was unanswered we had in fact answered the 50 or so other messages. As of about a month an a half ago
the last time Mr.[redacted] and I talked he was not ready to proceed with his project. He is simply not being honest for his portrayal of geothermal
connect holding him up. If he was ready to proceed he could of send a letter as he had done to terminate the contract. His termination does
not relive Mr.[redacted] of his obligation he signed into. If we have been non responsive please provide any evidence to substantiate this. Cad drawing
were not part of the contract however Gustave Larson did Cad drawing and were done by licensed engineer. I told My [redacted] if he didn't like
the drawings he could change them himself.
Best Regards
Geothermal connect llc
Customer signed a contract dated Dec. 31, 2013 to install a geothermal heat and cooling system in her home, which also included drilling
4 bore holes vertically 150 deep each using DNR approved grout material.
...
Customer was never assured nor does the contract indicate the entire system would be installed within 30 days. Due to the severe winter
weather conditions from December 2013 through March 2014 the drilling of the bore holes was delayed. Because of the vast amount of water
used during the drilling process ice buildup is a great concern. As soon as the weather conditions were conducive to drilling, the drilling process
was commenced.
All time record lows for this past winter couldn't possibly have anything to do with the "partial" loss of her lilac tree. Most homeowners in the
Milwaukee area have experienced some vegetation death from the record breaking cold. It is absurd to assert that Baroid bore gel had anything to
do with her "partial" loss of the lilac bush. In a previous discussion concerning the lilac bush, our company graciously offered to replace the bush but Ms.
[redacted] declined.
In reference to electrical connections, the electrical connections were not part of the contract, only the low voltage connection for the thermostat.
Customer was responsible for all high voltage electrical work. However, our company offered as a courtesy to install the circuit breaker. The electrical
conduit has been moved to not obstruct the laundry chute. The electrical conduit was moved even though our company was not responsible for it in
the first place.
The fencing was repaired per her request and satisfaction. Ms [redacted] is disingenuous and quite frankly a lier.
Our contracts, deliberately, do not include start or completion dates due to the many variables involved.
Geothermal Connect LLC has no responsibility nor liability for her fuel oil costs. Removal of her old furnace was not part of the contract.
Insulation of basement pipes was not included in the contract. It is not needed for the performance of the system. However, we had some insulation
in the truck at the time and put some on at no charge to the customer.
In conclusion, the geothermal system was installed professionally and operates as it should. If the Revdex.com has an independent contractor
that reviews the contract and inspects the geothermal system at Ms. [redacted]'s house, any defects per the contract will be rectified immediately.
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
It is true that I was given no written assurance that the project would be completed in 30 days. However, Mr. [redacted] stated several times at the onset that he would easily have the system in by the end of January. He suggested at the onset that I only get a half tank of oil instead of a full tank as that’s all I would need before he had the new furnace installed. I was VERY understanding of the weather delays—until they stretched into spring and summer. I also winced every time I saw the bill for another tank of oil I hadn’t anticipated needing or budgeted for. With multiple installation delays there was no way to accurately plan to use up remaining oil without risking running out this winter.
Mr. [redacted] told me many, many times over the past seven months that if there were any problems to let him know and he would take care of it. Yet to date, the only items he attempted to repair were to replace the bent gate post—leaving the bent gate and fence, and to move the conduit he had installed below the laundry chute.
The pictures I have attached show:
**See additional email for pictures. This email won't send with them attached and keeps timing out.
Damage to the gate and fence
Gate post was replaced by contractor afterwards. Fence and gate were not repaired. I brought these to his attention several times.
Sludge discharge in the flower bed and beneath the lilac tree
Note dead branches only above that area and even diminished weed growth in the area, even after heavy rains. No other plants or trees in front or back yard showed any weather-related damage. I am not requesting a new tree or plants, simply soil testing and sludge removal by a licensed landscaper, not Mr. [redacted].
Inappropriate wiring changes
Mr. [redacted] combined four circuits into two breakers of his own volition and notified me after he had done so (bottom right side of box in picture). I was not asked to have additional space added or informed of the need to do so. Any work he chooses to do should be done to ensure household safety and up to code. I requested that he have a licensed electrician repair his work.
Unstable plumbing installation
Note especially the one pipe fastened to the corner of a single, free-standing 2x4. Plumbing pipes can be moved easily by hand and are not stable enough to remain in place for the lifetime of the heating system. I am asking that the contractor have the plumbing installed properly by a licensed plumber and secured to ceiling beams as the rest of the house’s pipes are. There is also a 10+ foot discharge pipe running directly across the middle of the basement to the drain which is going to be very much in the way, but I don’t know of a good solution to that.
Furnace base support structure
Rather than extend ductwork to meet the furnace unit, which is slightly shorter than the old furnace, the new unit is standing on a wood base and secured with rocks and 2x4’s. While seeming unprofessional and ugly to me, it is relatively secure. I’m not happy with it but can live with it if it is deemed safe by independent professionals.
Piping hanging from ceiling
I am not happy with piping hanging in the middle of the basement by the heater and behind the cellar door. In light of the other issues these are relatively minor; however, I would really be happier if they were secured and less in the way.
Additional notes and project difficulties:
I understood the oil tank would not be removed by the contractor. He did, however, state that he would remove the old furnace several months ago and it seemed a natural part of the project to expect that he do so. I asked again last week when he came to finish installation and he said he would come Saturday to do so. Upon learning about this complaint I had lodged, Mr. [redacted] emailed that he would not be returning.
I also understood that the yard would be a mess when he finished. The mess exceeded my imagination. My driveway was covered in deep mud and literally felt like a calf pen that hasn’t been cleaned out for the entire spring. Getting from the house to the garage left mud up the sides of every pair of shoes I wore. No attempt was made to push topsoil to one side before digging and the yard was a big clay mess when he finished. A raised flower garden, about 1/3 of a huge raspberry patch, and a rose bush were left intact by the drillers and then razed by Mr. [redacted]. All were outside of the immediate work area.
I was out of town for two weeks in late June/early July. When I returned I noticed a large, maybe 5x5, wet area to the side of the furnace and into the basement rug in that area. As the rest of the basement was dry and I don’t generally have a wet basement, I suspect the furnace unit had been leaking. Mr. [redacted] installed the superheater the following week, so I am hoping whatever was leaking has been fixed. I will contact him if I see further leaking.
No attempt was made to share the burden of my additional installation-delay costs by the contractor, nor was I offered any type of discount or rebate for my patience (beyond his repeated verbal thanks and apologies). He took any cost-cutting measure possible, at my long-term expense.
I anticipate incurring costs in the near future for plumbing repairs, electrical box repairs, soil testing, furnace removal, fuel oil removal, and oil tank removal. Of these, removal of the oil tank is the only portion I had expected to have.
In addition, I would like to add that Mr. [redacted] asked for payment in full in early April before he would give me documentation of the project to file with my taxes. He was just finally installing the furnace at that time and I accept that it was pretty stupid and irresponsible of me to trust that he would finish the project professionally. When I signed the contract in December, he was confident that he would be done long before tax season and it didn’t even occur to me that this project would drag on for seven months. I have had positive experiences with pretty much every contractor I’ve worked with in the past and have learned my lesson the hard way this time.
I was not given the owner's manuals, including maintenance schedules and warranty, and requested these more than once. Mr. [redacted] has said he has requested copies from the manufacturer. I will follow up if I do not receive them.
I too would appreciate an assessment of the work done by an independent investigator. In particular, it would make me feel better to know for sure what is in the sludge discharged into my yard and if it is safe, as well as which portions of the electrical and plumbing work are safe and stable for long-term use and which need the most immediate fixing.
Sincerely,
[redacted]
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
Mr. [redacted] has been clear that he considers his installation to be properly done and to the best of his abilities. I am not confident that he himself is able to address the defects I listed and photographed or he would have done so in the first place. I would still be much more comfortable having professionals in each field repair and finish the work.
Regards,
[redacted]
Dear Revdex.com, The complaintant's response is pretty much indentical to the original complaint Therefore, I have previously addressed any and all issues I feel strongly that Ms [redacted] has received an above average installation of a geothermal system We have contractually fulfilled our obligation to this customer As you can see in her complaint she has not referenced any non-contractual defects However, we continue to feel confident that we have no further liability to Ms***, but because we value all of our customers, this is what I propose Remove old furnace Fasten any piping Ms [redacted] deems necessary Remove "so called sludge" in backyard Install appropriate breaker to handle circuits Repair any area of fence that she deems we are at fault for In return, I would expect Ms [redacted] to revise her complaint to fully satisfied If she opposes this proposal, I am willing to participate in the Revdex.com's arbitration process that is available to consumers and contractors In the event this complaint does proceed to arbitration, the above offer to settle is no longer valid Sincerely, ***n [redacted] Geothermal Connect LLC
Revdex.com: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted] , and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below Mr [redacted] has been clear that he considers his installation to be properly done and to the best of his abilities I am not confident that he himself is able to address the defects I listed and photographed or he would have done so in the first place I would still be much more comfortable having professionals in each field repair and finish the work Regards, [redacted] ***
Customer signed a contract dated Dec31, to install a geothermal heat and cooling system in her home, which also included drilling bore holes vertically deep each using DNR approved grout material Customer was never assured nor does the contract indicate the entire system would be installed within days Due to the severe winter weather conditions from December through March the drilling of the bore holes was delayed Because of the vast amount of water used during the drilling process ice buildup is a great concern As soon as the weather conditions were conducive to drilling, the drilling process was commenced All time record lows for this past winter couldn't possibly have anything to do with the "partial" loss of her lilac tree Most homeowners in the Milwaukee area have experienced some vegetation death from the record breaking cold It is absurd to assert that Baroid bore gel had anything to do with her "partial" loss of the lilac bush In a previous discussion concerning the lilac bush, our company graciously offered to replace the bush but Ms [redacted] declined In reference to electrical connections, the electrical connections were not part of the contract, only the low voltage connection for the thermostat Customer was responsible for all high voltage electrical work However, our company offered as a courtesy to install the circuit breaker The electrical conduit has been moved to not obstruct the laundry chute The electrical conduit was moved even though our company was not responsible for it in the first place The fencing was repaired per her request and satisfaction Ms [redacted] is disingenuous and quite frankly a lier Our contracts, deliberately, do not include start or completion dates due to the many variables involved Geothermal Connect LLC has no responsibility nor liability for her fuel oil costs Removal of her old furnace was not part of the contract Insulation of basement pipes was not included in the contract It is not needed for the performance of the system However, we had some insulation in the truck at the time and put some on at no charge to the customer In conclusion, the geothermal system was installed professionally and operates as it should If the Revdex.com has an independent contractor that reviews the contract and inspects the geothermal system at Ms***'s house, any defects per the contract will be rectified immediately [redacted] Geothermal Connect LLC
Revdex.com: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted] , and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below It is true that I was given no written assurance that the project would be completed in days However, Mr [redacted] stated several times at the onset that he would easily have the system in by the end of January He suggested at the onset that I only get a half tank of oil instead of a full tank as that’s all I would need before he had the new furnace installed I was VERY understanding of the weather delays—until they stretched into spring and summer I also winced every time I saw the bill for another tank of oil I hadn’t anticipated needing or budgeted for With multiple installation delays there was no way to accurately plan to use up remaining oil without risking running out this winter Mr [redacted] told me many, many times over the past seven months that if there were any problems to let him know and he would take care of it Yet to date, the only items he attempted to repair were to replace the bent gate post—leaving the bent gate and fence, and to move the conduit he had installed below the laundry chute The pictures I have attached show: **See additional email for pictures This email won't send with them attached and keeps timing out Damage to the gate and fence Gate post was replaced by contractor afterwards Fence and gate were not repaired I brought these to his attention several times Sludge discharge in the flower bed and beneath the lilac tree Note dead branches only above that area and even diminished weed growth in the area, even after heavy rains No other plants or trees in front or back yard showed any weather-related damage I am not requesting a new tree or plants, simply soil testing and sludge removal by a licensed landscaper, not Mr [redacted] Inappropriate wiring changes Mr [redacted] combined four circuits into two breakers of his own volition and notified me after he had done so (bottom right side of box in picture) I was not asked to have additional space added or informed of the need to do so Any work he chooses to do should be done to ensure household safety and up to code I requested that he have a licensed electrician repair his work Unstable plumbing installation Note especially the one pipe fastened to the corner of a single, free-standing 2x Plumbing pipes can be moved easily by hand and are not stable enough to remain in place for the lifetime of the heating system I am asking that the contractor have the plumbing installed properly by a licensed plumber and secured to ceiling beams as the rest of the house’s pipes are There is also a 10+ foot discharge pipe running directly across the middle of the basement to the drain which is going to be very much in the way, but I don’t know of a good solution to that Furnace base support structure Rather than extend ductwork to meet the furnace unit, which is slightly shorter than the old furnace, the new unit is standing on a wood base and secured with rocks and 2x4’s While seeming unprofessional and ugly to me, it is relatively secure I’m not happy with it but can live with it if it is deemed safe by independent professionals Piping hanging from ceiling I am not happy with piping hanging in the middle of the basement by the heater and behind the cellar door In light of the other issues these are relatively minor; however, I would really be happier if they were secured and less in the way Additional notes and project difficulties: I understood the oil tank would not be removed by the contractor He did, however, state that he would remove the old furnace several months ago and it seemed a natural part of the project to expect that he do so I asked again last week when he came to finish installation and he said he would come Saturday to do so Upon learning about this complaint I had lodged, Mr [redacted] emailed that he would not be returning I also understood that the yard would be a mess when he finished The mess exceeded my imagination My driveway was covered in deep mud and literally felt like a calf pen that hasn’t been cleaned out for the entire spring Getting from the house to the garage left mud up the sides of every pair of shoes I wore No attempt was made to push topsoil to one side before digging and the yard was a big clay mess when he finished A raised flower garden, about 1/of a huge raspberry patch, and a rose bush were left intact by the drillers and then razed by Mr [redacted] All were outside of the immediate work area I was out of town for two weeks in late June/early July When I returned I noticed a large, maybe 5x5, wet area to the side of the furnace and into the basement rug in that area As the rest of the basement was dry and I don’t generally have a wet basement, I suspect the furnace unit had been leaking Mr [redacted] installed the superheater the following week, so I am hoping whatever was leaking has been fixed I will contact him if I see further leaking No attempt was made to share the burden of my additional installation-delay costs by the contractor, nor was I offered any type of discount or rebate for my patience (beyond his repeated verbal thanks and apologies) He took any cost-cutting measure possible, at my long-term expense I anticipate incurring costs in the near future for plumbing repairs, electrical box repairs, soil testing, furnace removal, fuel oil removal, and oil tank removal Of these, removal of the oil tank is the only portion I had expected to have In addition, I would like to add that Mr [redacted] asked for payment in full in early April before he would give me documentation of the project to file with my taxes He was just finally installing the furnace at that time and I accept that it was pretty stupid and irresponsible of me to trust that he would finish the project professionally When I signed the contract in December, he was confident that he would be done long before tax season and it didn’t even occur to me that this project would drag on for seven months I have had positive experiences with pretty much every contractor I’ve worked with in the past and have learned my lesson the hard way this time I was not given the owner's manuals, including maintenance schedules and warranty, and requested these more than once Mr [redacted] has said he has requested copies from the manufacturer I will follow up if I do not receive them I too would appreciate an assessment of the work done by an independent investigator In particular, it would make me feel better to know for sure what is in the sludge discharged into my yard and if it is safe, as well as which portions of the electrical and plumbing work are safe and stable for long-term use and which need the most immediate fixing Sincerely, [redacted] ***
RevDex.com: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted] , and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. Client not able to submit for building permit without licensed HVAC contractor. Contractor not licensed more than ten months after signing contract. Contractor non-responsive for over one month when project needing to move forward. Contractor failed to produce any useful product and kept $5000.00 deposit. Product produced was unusable drawings and non-licensed engineering data. Contractor asked client to obtain, learn, and use CAD software to make drawings acceptable. Hours spent on project by contractor are irrelevant if no useful product provided to client. No physical work completed, therefore no funds due contrator. Regards, [redacted] ***
I was really looking forward to getting a serious issue corrected in my home, but I made the mistake of letting the home warranty company refer me to Lion's Den Plumbing without reading the rest of the star reviews that Yelp is littered with
ABSOLUTE DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THIS COMPANY
PLEASE read the reviews before letting your Home Warranty send these guys
Alex was arrogant and unprofessional
When he came in, Alex asked to be walked through the problems but then took a phone call just a few minutes in leaving me standing in the bathroom trying to explain things to his assistant only to come back and make me explain it all over again
After "inspecting" the water heater for seconds, immediately said it's fine, and was unwilling to do anything further to diagnose
No supplies, no information on the home prior to the visit
Had nothing to say about the water seeping from the Gate Valvejust, it's fine
Yes, I've had other companies look at it before Alex glanced at it and both said the same thing , that it needed to be replaced with write-ups to show
Didn't even turn on the water to see if it would get hotIT WON'T!
After Alex told me he was going to step outside to get his snake to clear the kitchen sinks' drain, he literally got in his truck and LEFT!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
I called Jode, the owner, and he advised me that "he didn't need to explain his plumbers actions "and "They knew how to do their jobs" and "didn't need to answer any questions that we may have"
Excuse me, You're in MY HOME, not the other way aroundIf I have questions, I expect answers, not condescending remarks from ownership
Obviously the apple doesn't fall far from the tree with ownership like thisWhat a joke!
AVOID AT ALL COSTS!
Attention: Revdex.com of Wisconsin
First we would like to respond to the statement by Mr*** that our company is not licensed in the City of Chicago Attached you will find documentation that supports our position that we are ready and able to
be licensed upon
submitting licensing payment Payment has not be made because Mr*** has not been ready to start the project City of Chicago license fees are excessive and are only good for one year Furthermore,
we had to incorporate our business with the State of Illinois and did so with an expense of $Mr*** and I have communicated at least times via telephone and email correspondence since the inception of the contract in June, Please see attached contract The contract does not indicate a definitive start date because
Mr*** was very unsure of when he needed the geothermal installation project to begin since he had multiple issues to work out with the City of Chicago relative to his property Our company has not received any certified indication to start
the project, however, Mr*** was very able to certify a letter to cease the project Let it be known that hundreds of hours have been expensed on Mr***'s project with no less than four trips back and forth from Wisconsin, multiple emails and phone
conversations with his architect, twenty plus hours consultation with Gustave Larson Co(Milwaukee, WI), and no less than hours in the Chicago permitting process Our final position is that Mr*** breached and terminated the contract therefore a balance of $104,is due
and owing to Geothermal Connect LLCBest Regards
Geothermal Connect LLC*** ***
So Landmark Home Warranty sent a plumber that came last time my plumbing issue that happened (Lions Den)guy came out and I explained to him clearly what the issue was and he said it would be a week to get the part (and they didn’t rush it, after being without hot water for over a week)...they finally got the part and replaced itbut the water heater still didn’t workAnd when the plumber called the manufacturer to get tech support on the line to troubleshoot they were gone for the day (and they don’t work the weekend, and the plumber came on Friday) so now we have to wait till Monday for the plumber to call them and troubleshoot it which will inevitably result in them ordering a new part and us waiting several more days for them to fixAlso, this plumber does not know how to fix tankless water heaters, they require someone to walk them through the issue (which this happened months and they need to call the manufacturers tech support to resolve the issue)I have researched the issue on my own and found a cure to the issue, and sent it to the person who worked on water heater and has not used that information to his advantage to fix the issueWe are going on the 3rd week with no hot waterWe called the home warranty company back on that Friday night, min later we spoke to someone who laughed at us when we told he the issue and she said a manager would call us in the morningThe manager never called us so we called to speak with a supervisor, which we did but she offered no resolution and continued to speak over my wife as she expressed her concernsAlso I have a month old who does like to bath, just not in cold waterNot to mention we need to clean his bottles in warm water, which we don’t have
the good: they were a lot cheaper than everyone else, they wanted our business and worked with us despite a leaky old house. the bad: system failed soon after installation (they did come out quickly), very slow work(4 months+), they contracted out and the workers complained to us they were not getting paid, left equipment in yard for over a year.
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
Client not able to submit for building permit without licensed HVAC contractor. Contractor not licensed more than ten months after signing contract. Contractor non-responsive for over one month when project needing to move forward. Contractor failed to produce any useful product and kept $5000.00 deposit. Product produced was unusable drawings and non-licensed engineering data. Contractor asked client to obtain, learn, and use CAD software to make drawings acceptable.
Hours spent on project by contractor are irrelevant if no useful product provided to client. No physical work completed, therefore no funds due contrator.
Regards,
[redacted]
Dear Revdex.com,
The complaintant's response is pretty much indentical to the original complaint. Therefore, I have previously
addressed any and all issues.
I feel strongly that Ms. [redacted] has received an above average installation of a geothermal system. We have
contractually fulfilled our obligation to this customer. As you can see in her complaint she has not
referenced any non-contractual defects. However, we continue to feel confident that we have no further
liability to Ms. [redacted], but because we value all of our customers, this is what I propose.
1. Remove old furnace
2. Fasten any piping Ms. [redacted] deems necessary
3. Remove "so called sludge" in backyard.
4. Install 1 appropriate breaker to handle 2 circuits.
5. Repair any area of fence that she deems we are at fault for.
In return, I would expect Ms. [redacted] to revise her complaint to fully satisfied. If she opposes this proposal, I am
willing to participate in the Revdex.com's arbitration process that is available to consumers and contractors.
In the event this complaint does proceed to arbitration, the above offer to settle is no longer valid.
Sincerely,
[redacted]
Geothermal Connect LLC
In response That Geothermal connect llc is not licensed ,we are licensed in Wisconsin and have been approved in Chicago see first response.
Mr. [redacted] had left one message that was unanswered we had in fact answered the 50 or so other messages. As of about a month an a half ago
the last time Mr.[redacted] and I talked he was not ready to proceed with his project. He is simply not being honest for his portrayal of geothermal
connect holding him up. If he was ready to proceed he could of send a letter as he had done to terminate the contract. His termination does
not relive Mr.[redacted] of his obligation he signed into. If we have been non responsive please provide any evidence to substantiate this. Cad drawing
were not part of the contract however Gustave Larson did Cad drawing and were done by licensed engineer. I told My [redacted] if he didn't like
the drawings he could change them himself.
Best Regards
Geothermal connect llc
Customer signed a contract dated Dec. 31, 2013 to install a geothermal heat and cooling system in her home, which also included drilling
4 bore holes vertically 150 deep each using DNR approved grout material.
...
Customer was never assured nor does the contract indicate the entire system would be installed within 30 days. Due to the severe winter
weather conditions from December 2013 through March 2014 the drilling of the bore holes was delayed. Because of the vast amount of water
used during the drilling process ice buildup is a great concern. As soon as the weather conditions were conducive to drilling, the drilling process
was commenced.
All time record lows for this past winter couldn't possibly have anything to do with the "partial" loss of her lilac tree. Most homeowners in the
Milwaukee area have experienced some vegetation death from the record breaking cold. It is absurd to assert that Baroid bore gel had anything to
do with her "partial" loss of the lilac bush. In a previous discussion concerning the lilac bush, our company graciously offered to replace the bush but Ms.
[redacted] declined.
In reference to electrical connections, the electrical connections were not part of the contract, only the low voltage connection for the thermostat.
Customer was responsible for all high voltage electrical work. However, our company offered as a courtesy to install the circuit breaker. The electrical
conduit has been moved to not obstruct the laundry chute. The electrical conduit was moved even though our company was not responsible for it in
the first place.
The fencing was repaired per her request and satisfaction. Ms [redacted] is disingenuous and quite frankly a lier.
Our contracts, deliberately, do not include start or completion dates due to the many variables involved.
Geothermal Connect LLC has no responsibility nor liability for her fuel oil costs. Removal of her old furnace was not part of the contract.
Insulation of basement pipes was not included in the contract. It is not needed for the performance of the system. However, we had some insulation
in the truck at the time and put some on at no charge to the customer.
In conclusion, the geothermal system was installed professionally and operates as it should. If the Revdex.com has an independent contractor
that reviews the contract and inspects the geothermal system at Ms. [redacted]'s house, any defects per the contract will be rectified immediately.
[redacted]
Geothermal Connect LLC
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
It is true that I was given no written assurance that the project would be completed in 30 days. However, Mr. [redacted] stated several times at the onset that he would easily have the system in by the end of January. He suggested at the onset that I only get a half tank of oil instead of a full tank as that’s all I would need before he had the new furnace installed. I was VERY understanding of the weather delays—until they stretched into spring and summer. I also winced every time I saw the bill for another tank of oil I hadn’t anticipated needing or budgeted for. With multiple installation delays there was no way to accurately plan to use up remaining oil without risking running out this winter.
Mr. [redacted] told me many, many times over the past seven months that if there were any problems to let him know and he would take care of it. Yet to date, the only items he attempted to repair were to replace the bent gate post—leaving the bent gate and fence, and to move the conduit he had installed below the laundry chute.
The pictures I have attached show:
**See additional email for pictures. This email won't send with them attached and keeps timing out.
Damage to the gate and fence
Gate post was replaced by contractor afterwards. Fence and gate were not repaired. I brought these to his attention several times.
Sludge discharge in the flower bed and beneath the lilac tree
Note dead branches only above that area and even diminished weed growth in the area, even after heavy rains. No other plants or trees in front or back yard showed any weather-related damage. I am not requesting a new tree or plants, simply soil testing and sludge removal by a licensed landscaper, not Mr. [redacted].
Inappropriate wiring changes
Mr. [redacted] combined four circuits into two breakers of his own volition and notified me after he had done so (bottom right side of box in picture). I was not asked to have additional space added or informed of the need to do so. Any work he chooses to do should be done to ensure household safety and up to code. I requested that he have a licensed electrician repair his work.
Unstable plumbing installation
Note especially the one pipe fastened to the corner of a single, free-standing 2x4. Plumbing pipes can be moved easily by hand and are not stable enough to remain in place for the lifetime of the heating system. I am asking that the contractor have the plumbing installed properly by a licensed plumber and secured to ceiling beams as the rest of the house’s pipes are. There is also a 10+ foot discharge pipe running directly across the middle of the basement to the drain which is going to be very much in the way, but I don’t know of a good solution to that.
Furnace base support structure
Rather than extend ductwork to meet the furnace unit, which is slightly shorter than the old furnace, the new unit is standing on a wood base and secured with rocks and 2x4’s. While seeming unprofessional and ugly to me, it is relatively secure. I’m not happy with it but can live with it if it is deemed safe by independent professionals.
Piping hanging from ceiling
I am not happy with piping hanging in the middle of the basement by the heater and behind the cellar door. In light of the other issues these are relatively minor; however, I would really be happier if they were secured and less in the way.
Additional notes and project difficulties:
I understood the oil tank would not be removed by the contractor. He did, however, state that he would remove the old furnace several months ago and it seemed a natural part of the project to expect that he do so. I asked again last week when he came to finish installation and he said he would come Saturday to do so. Upon learning about this complaint I had lodged, Mr. [redacted] emailed that he would not be returning.
I also understood that the yard would be a mess when he finished. The mess exceeded my imagination. My driveway was covered in deep mud and literally felt like a calf pen that hasn’t been cleaned out for the entire spring. Getting from the house to the garage left mud up the sides of every pair of shoes I wore. No attempt was made to push topsoil to one side before digging and the yard was a big clay mess when he finished. A raised flower garden, about 1/3 of a huge raspberry patch, and a rose bush were left intact by the drillers and then razed by Mr. [redacted]. All were outside of the immediate work area.
I was out of town for two weeks in late June/early July. When I returned I noticed a large, maybe 5x5, wet area to the side of the furnace and into the basement rug in that area. As the rest of the basement was dry and I don’t generally have a wet basement, I suspect the furnace unit had been leaking. Mr. [redacted] installed the superheater the following week, so I am hoping whatever was leaking has been fixed. I will contact him if I see further leaking.
No attempt was made to share the burden of my additional installation-delay costs by the contractor, nor was I offered any type of discount or rebate for my patience (beyond his repeated verbal thanks and apologies). He took any cost-cutting measure possible, at my long-term expense.
I anticipate incurring costs in the near future for plumbing repairs, electrical box repairs, soil testing, furnace removal, fuel oil removal, and oil tank removal. Of these, removal of the oil tank is the only portion I had expected to have.
In addition, I would like to add that Mr. [redacted] asked for payment in full in early April before he would give me documentation of the project to file with my taxes. He was just finally installing the furnace at that time and I accept that it was pretty stupid and irresponsible of me to trust that he would finish the project professionally. When I signed the contract in December, he was confident that he would be done long before tax season and it didn’t even occur to me that this project would drag on for seven months. I have had positive experiences with pretty much every contractor I’ve worked with in the past and have learned my lesson the hard way this time.
I was not given the owner's manuals, including maintenance schedules and warranty, and requested these more than once. Mr. [redacted] has said he has requested copies from the manufacturer. I will follow up if I do not receive them.
I too would appreciate an assessment of the work done by an independent investigator. In particular, it would make me feel better to know for sure what is in the sludge discharged into my yard and if it is safe, as well as which portions of the electrical and plumbing work are safe and stable for long-term use and which need the most immediate fixing.
Sincerely,
[redacted]
Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
Mr. [redacted] has been clear that he considers his installation to be properly done and to the best of his abilities. I am not confident that he himself is able to address the defects I listed and photographed or he would have done so in the first place. I would still be much more comfortable having professionals in each field repair and finish the work.
Regards,
[redacted]