Hohl's Renovations

A stamped concrete patio was installed by this company 7 months that is no cracking in several areas and not settling properlyIn April of 2013 I contracted Hohl Renovations to install a stamped concrete colored patio at my residence. There were numerous issues with the subcontractor Hohl used to do the concrete and they were bought to the companies attention. Minor compensation was deducted from the final bill for the issues at hand at that time. On 11/10/13 several severe cracks were found in the concrete and not along the cut expansion joints as indicated in his contract. Hohl was contacted to come and fix the issues since this should not be occurring in just 6 months. He sent over another cement contractor to look at a possible repair in which they stated the only way of fixing the cracks is to rip up the job and start over due to interior workmanship by previous cement contractor. Hohl contacted me stating that he will not fix the issues at hand and feels he has no area of responsibility to fix the cement stating that the job was paid for and that is the en of his responsibilities on the job. He continued that I was being unfair to him that he should have to pay the replacement costs that his contractor did. I again questioned him about work guarantee and he stated he draws the line In the sand and that not going to fix it no matter what. The job again was just done and completed in May of 2013 and should not be cracking and sinking the way it is at all especially since several issues were bought to his attention during the job about not using the correct amount of crushed stone and workmanship of his contractor. Desired SettlementI want the concrete patio ripped up, removed and replaced to the specifications that the contract was written signed and agreed upon and done correctly as the contractor was paid to do. This should be done and completed at the expense of the contractor an he should stand behind his work and honor his contracts. Business Response Hohl's Renovations LLC6316 Willowdell DriveWake Forest, NC XXXXX(XXX) XXX-XXXX[redacted].comDecember 19, 2013Revdex.comComplaint Coordinator5540 Munford RoadSuite #130Raleigh, North Carolina XXXXXRE: Case #XXXXXXXX; [redacted]To Whom It May Concern:Hohl's Renovations LLC entered into a written contract with [redacted] on March 19, 2013, to complete a Stamped Concrete Patio at his residence located at [redacted] NC XXXXX. Work began on this project on April 2, 2013. The project was completed on April 12, 2013, and touchups were completed on April 16, 2013. At the completion of the project, Mr. [redacted] had some concerns as to some touchup areas. In an effort to keep the customer satisfied, we credited him $500 for his concerns, which he accepted happily. Note that $500 represents approximately 20% of the total labor cost of the project that was refunded due to minor issues he alleged. On November 20, 2013, we first received a text message from Mr. [redacted] in reference to reported cracks in his patio. On November 22, 2013, Hohl's Renovations LLC went to Mr. [redacted]'s house to meet with him in reference to this matter. Mr. [redacted] was not there to meet us. While there, we observed 3 small cracks in the patio. Upon leaving his residence, we contacted Mr. [redacted]. Mr. [redacted] was advised that these small cracks were a result of the concrete expanding. There is nothing to prevent this expansion other than creating expansion joints, which we did. We advised Mr. [redacted] that he should contact our concrete subcontractor to come and take a look at the minor issues, but all costs would have to be paid by Mr. [redacted]. Mr. [redacted] understood, and we contacted a concrete subcontractor on Mr. [redacted]'s behalf to set up a consultation. Please note that an independent concrete contractor was contacted to review the work that was done. On December 4, 2013, we received a text from Mr. [redacted] asking us what we had decided. We contacted Mr. [redacted] on December 4, 2013, because we were confused as to what he was asking. Mr. [redacted] apparently misunderstood and expected Hohl's Renovations to pay for the repairs of the concrete. Mr. [redacted] was again advised that this would be a cost for which he would be responsible.Mr. [redacted] was also informed that concrete cracks and will settle in time. There is nothing that can be done to prevent minor cracking in concrete. Expansion joints were put in place to limit the problem. In addition, it should be noted that we do not provide a warranty in our contract for concrete work due to these facts. We contacted two additional contractors in the area that specialize in concrete work and found that none of them provide warranties for their work. A few discrepancies were noted in Mr. [redacted]'s original complaint that we would also like to address:(1) The job had been completed over 7 months ago, not 6 as alleged. (2) The three cracks were not severe and did not compromise the structure as shown in the attached photographs. These were minor cracks that occur naturally due to expansion and contraction caused by daily heating and cooling and soil settlement that may occur due to significant rains or drought.(3) Hohl's Renovations and the independent concrete subcontractor gave Mr. [redacted] three (3) options for repairs; however, Mr. [redacted] was not willing to listen to any option other than removing the entire patio and re-pouring the concrete. The independent subcontractor also informed Mr. [redacted] that a variety of factors could have caused these minor cracks, because there is nothing to prevent concrete from cracking. This subcontractor does not have a warranty for any concrete work due to this fact.(4) Mr. [redacted] never brought to our attention that we did "not use the correct amount of crushed stone." Hohl's Renovations did use the amount of stone indicated in the contract, but this had never been brought up prior to us receiving this complaint. It should also be noted that placing crushed stone underneath a concrete patio is not anything that is required, but is something that Hohl's Renovations does above and beyond what is required to create the best patio possible. Mr. [redacted]'s "Desired Resolution" is unreasonable. There is no warranty on our contract for repairs to be conducted seven (7) months after the job is completed, nor can we make such a guarantee. Expecting us to remove and replace the patio for no charge is unreasonable given the circumstances and the opinion of other concrete professionals. Based on the fact that this complaint fails to accurately describe the facts and calls for an unfair and impossible resolution, we are requesting that this case be closed. Sincerely.[redacted]Owner of Hohl's Renovations LLCFinal Consumer Response These answers that were submitted by this individual has NO FIRST hand knowledge of the issues and concerns that were posted by me the Consumer. MS [redacted] is the wife of the contractor and although listed as co owner never once stepped foot onto the property during the concrete phase of the job. So her assertions are imited to 3rd party knowledge and not direct knowledge of any converstaions had by myself or her husband. I have the photos to prove that the correct amount of stone was not used and the owner knew of my concerns. I was never offered any remediation at all by Hohl other then to say that if I wanted it fixed I had to pay for the cracks, or they could cut lines into the cracks and fill it with filler that would be noticeable by anyone looking at the finished product. And that they would not do any repairs at all. With that being saidd I did contact several concreted persons and they state that the reasn there is cuts in the concrete is to have it move easily so that you dont get the cracks I have in such a short amount of time and if and when they do crack it will be along those crack joints AND NOT where they are not cracking. Yes no one will give a guarantee on the concrete but all of the contractors stated that after 6-7 months it SHOULD NOT BE CRACKING as it is now. The INDUSTRY standard on all work is 1 yr from date of completion for issues that can arise I am sure that HOHL Renovations has and is insured in which issues like this should be covered. My resolutions is just that any other consuer would want that is a product they paid good hard earned money for not to be faulty after 7 months of their shoddy work performance. an to be repaired as it was paid for to be a complete job without flaws or cracks. The mere assertion from MS [redacted] to state that my request is undesireable is based upon her lack of business knowledge. I am sure they want a product they paid for to have no issues so what is wrong with a person requesting the same from their business.MS [redacted] does not even come up with any solutions that she stated I was afforded by her company at all in the wake of any sort of settlement agreement other then to say tat I di not accept any o them. The only offer I was afforded by Hohl was to pay for the fixes myself and that is not going to happen AT ALL!!!! And to state that the cracks are not severe is just a mere cover up for the lack of professional grade work they give their customers. The fact is that is should not be cracking the way it is after 6 OR 7 mnths as it has been But I guess when you deal with shoddy business people this is the work you can get Final Business Response Hohl's Renovations LLC6316 Willowdell DriveWake Forest, NC XXXXX(XXX) XXX-XXXX[redacted].comJanuary 2, 2014Revdex.comComplaint Coordinator5540 Munford RoadSuite #130Raleigh, North Carolina XXXXXRE: Case #XXXXXXXX; [redacted] 2nd responseTo Whom It May Concern:This is the second response from Hohl's Renovations, LLC in reference to additional consumer information supplied on December 23, 2013. Mr. [redacted] alleges that the "correct amount of stone was not used," and Hohl's Renovations stands behind the statement in our previous response: "Hohl's Renovations did use the amount of stone indicated in the contract, but this had never been brought up prior to us receiving this complaint. It should also be noted that placing crushed stone underneath a concrete patio is not anything that is required, but is something that Hohl's Renovations does above and beyond what is required to create the best patio possible." Mr. [redacted] states the following: "the reasn there is cuts in the concrete is to have it move easily...when they do crack it will be along those crack joints." This is correct. Mr. [redacted] was advised that these small cracks were a result of the concrete expanding. There is nothing to prevent this expansion other than creating expansion joints, which we did. Mr. [redacted] was also informed that concrete cracks and will settle in time. There is nothing that can be done to prevent minor cracking in concrete. Expansion joints were put in place to limit the problem. Mr. [redacted] indicates the cracks are severe. Hohl's Renovations, LLC stands behind the statement in the previous response indicating the following: "The three cracks were not severe and did not compromise the structure as shown in the attached photographs. These were minor cracks that occur naturally due to expansion and contraction caused by daily heating and cooling and soil settlement that may occur due to significant rains or drought."Mr. [redacted] was given 3 different suggestions on how to fix the issues he is concerned with. Hohl's Renovations suggested that the small portion of the patio that has the cracks be removed and re-poured, colored, and stamped. The independent concrete subcontractor provided 2 options: (1) increase the depth of the cracks and re-pour concrete in the cracks to smooth them out; or, (2) remove the entire patio and re-pour the concrete. Regarding Option #1, the independent concrete subcontractor did not say, "the filler would be noticeable by anyone looking at the finished product." The independent concrete subcontractor informed Mr. [redacted] that since he chose colored concrete, getting an exact match would be difficult. The independent concrete subcontractor only provided Option #2, when Mr. [redacted] was adamant that nothing would be good enough except for removing the patio and starting over again. Regardless, Mr. [redacted] would be responsible for choosing and paying for any option selected. Mr. [redacted] states the following: "The INDUSTRY standard on all work is 1 yr from date of completion for issues that can arise." [redacted]'s Renovations, LLC contacted two contractors, in addition to the one who came out previously for the independent analysis, who specialize in concrete work and found that none of them provide warranties for cracks in concrete. Therefore, Mr. [redacted]'s claim is an incorrect assertion. In addition, regardless of what Mr. [redacted] alleges the industry standard is, there is no warranty in our contract for this issue. If a 1 year warranty was important to Mr. [redacted], this is something he should have required from a company prior to signing a contract. Mr. [redacted] alleges that I stated "his request was undesireable." In my previous response, I never indicated the request was undesirable. I did, however, state the request was "unreasonable" due to the fact there is no warranty for a job completed 7 months ago and the opinion of other concrete professionals. Mr. [redacted] alleges that I have "NO FIRST hand knowledge of the issues and concerns that were posted by Mr. [redacted]." I am the sole owner of Hohl's Renovations, LLC; therefore, I am responding to this complaint as the owner of the company. The complaint was filed against Hohl's Renovations, LLC, which is why my response is required. All information included in the first response was received from [redacted], the concrete subcontractor who completed the work, and from the independent concrete subcontractor who came out to provide an independent analysis of a solution to the problem. Mr. [redacted] states that Hohl's Renovations performs "shoddy work" and has a "lack of professional grade work." It should be noted that Mr. [redacted] was happy with the quality of the work that was performed upon completion of the job. In addition, 2 additional projects were completed for Mr. [redacted] after this project, with which he was also happy. If Mr. [redacted] really felt we had a "lack of professional grade work," he wouldn't have hired us to complete additional projects for him. Although Mr. [redacted] has the right to change his mind in regards to his opinion, it is not necessary to attack Hohl's Renovations on work that he was happy with upon our departure. Mr. [redacted] indicates that I have a "lack of business knowledge." Mr. [redacted] further states that his interaction with Hohl's Renovations, LLC was dealing with "shoddy business people," and Hohl's Renovations, LLC has a "lack of professional grade work they give their customers." I have a Master's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Business Management. I have owned and operated this business for a number of years and have never had a Revdex.com complaint prior to this point. For Mr. [redacted] to imply that I do not know how to run my company is highly inappropriate and is a personal attack that is not necessary or conducive to mediating the situation. Mr. [redacted] states "MS [redacted] does not even come up with any solutions that she stated I was afforded by her company at all in the wake of any sort of settlement agreement other then to say tat I di not accept any o them." Three options were included as reiterated above for Mr. [redacted]'s review. Hohl's Renovations, LLC has already compensated Mr. [redacted] $500 due to an issue he complained of at the completion of the project, which he happily accepted. Therefore, any further cost of repair will be the responsibility of Mr. [redacted]. Mr. [redacted]'s "Desired Resolution" is unreasonable. There is no warranty on our contract for repairs to be conducted seven (7) months after the job is completed, nor can we make such a guarantee. Expecting us to remove and replace the patio for no charge is unreasonable given the circumstances and the opinion of other concrete professionals. Based on the fact that this complaint fails to accurately describe the facts and calls for an unfair and impossible resolution, we are requesting that this case be closed. In addition, we kindly ask that information related to this complaint not appear on the public website of the Revdex.com due to the value of our good reputation, the truth of the events described, and the importance of the Revdex.com providing relevant and accurate information to the public about local business practices.Sincerely.[redacted]Owner of Hohl's Renovations LLC