Marette Consulting

Review: In June 2013, we were searching for a licensed architect for our home renovation and Marette Consulting LLC was recommended to us. Upon meeting Mr. Marette, he deceptively presented himself to us as a licensed architect. [redacted] Marette gave us an estimate for his architectural fees and fees for subcontract work for the renovation. On 8/15/2013, we hired him to produce architect drawings, obtain permit, work with his contractors to build extension. Before signing the contract, he ensured us that all his subcontractors were licensed and promised to send over all licenses. Mr. Marette also promised to send monthly statements and a detailed pricing structure. We paid a deposit in the amount of $4833.00. When we viewed his concept drawings for the home addition, the quality was not on par with a licensed architect. He also stated that our back door on the second floor may qualify as an egress exit for our basement. We do not have extensive knowledge of housing codes but this sounded incorrect. At this point, we inquired again whether [redacted] was a licensed architect. [redacted] replied I have been an architect for over 30 years and described several homes that he built. [redacted] started on a small demolition task that included waterproofing and lead tests. First, [redacted] started the task without sending over the licenses of the contractors. Upon talking with the day laborers, they had limited knowledge of construction and were likely unlicensed. The scope of work requested was also not performed and a fully functioning bathroom was totally demolished. Again, we requested the licenses of the contractors, license of the architect, and a breakdown of the pricing structure. We inquired which company was the general contractor on the project. [redacted] Marette stated that we, the homeowners, were the general contractor. This statement raised a red flag. How could we, the homeowners, be general contractors when we only received a bill for the work from Mr. Marette on behalf of the subcontractors AFTER the work was completed? We showed the architects plans to several individuals including members in the Building Permit Office who raised serious concerns. First, our current basement is very likely more than 50% above ground and the proposed three story extension would not be permitted on our property. Secondly, the addition was slightly over a 400 sqft footprint requiring a costly water management system that was not in the plans. Lastly, the architect drawings lacked dimensions and were closer to concept drawings than documents acceptable for a permit. We also looked up [redacted] in a public registry for architects and found out that he was not licensed. Therefore, cannot legally refer himself as an Architect.We meet with [redacted] and request for a licensed architect to join the project, licenses of contractors, and costs for various elements of the job elicited excited response. He fired himself, likely because he was unable to produce the requested information. He refunded a portion of the payment but we inquired about a breakdown of how the money was spent and an invoice, which at this point he has not responded to.[redacted] Marette deceptively represented himself as an architect, presented day laborers as licensed contractors, approved subpar work, and refused to send us a price breakdown of how our funds were spent. Marette Consulting LLC will continue to practice dishonest business practices and swindle homeowners out of money.Desired Settlement: Itemized statement with a breakdown of the charges from the depositwhat are the deliverables that he completed as we would like to obtain them[redacted] to acutely aware that in the state of Maryland it is unlawful to present yourself as a licensed architect when you do not have those credentials.Subcontractors licensed and insurance information A full refund as [redacted] lacks of experience did not provide any value. In fact, it has delayed the project due to his lack of experience and would have cost us a lot of money if we did not notice it early on.