McCrimmon Landscaping & Grading, Inc.

The estimate for a fencing job was $2-3,000; the bill was over $5,200. The fence is falling apart. Business owner made threats against the property.[redacted] McCrimmon was asked to give an estimate for a fencing job. He came out on December 15, 2014 and gave a verbal estimate without measuring. He was asked to come out again in March 2015 to measure the area and give a written estimate; he did so and the written estimate was $2-3,000. Throughout the job, Mr. McCrimmon and the individual he left in charge of the job were asked if we were on budget. I was very clear that the job needed to stay within the budget as we had not purchased the property yet and could lose the entire investment if something went awry with the purchase of the property. I was repeatedly told everything was fine and to leave a good review on several online sites and we would 'settle up later'. I was given the same message via text message. One area of the fence was discovered to need additional work; I again asked if it would go over the high end of the estimate and was told it would not. I left positive reviews as requested and then received a bill. I expressed concern over the bill. Mr. McCrimmon threatened to come to the property and pull the fencing out when I was at work which would leave my animals in danger. I paid $3,800 to avoid that and was told I could pay the rest after closing. I have since paid the additional $1458. I let Mr. McCrimmon know the fence was falling apart; he did nothing to rectify the situation and threatened to sue us. I've had other contactors come give estimates for what they would have charged for the job and all estimates were under $2,000. Mr. McCrimmon did not stand by his work or his estimate and made threats against our property which I believe was an attempt to intimidate me. Desired SettlementWe would like a refund of $1458. Business Response In response to the complaint recently filed against my company, I would offer the following information: The customer was referred to me by a competitor. After many text messages & phone calls, we finally set a date to begin the work. The begin date had been changed several times due to closing issues. As the customer was moving from another farm, time for executing the work was crucial. We worked weekends to meet the customers needs so that her animals were kept safe. as work was being done, the old fence was found to be rotten & had to be removed. (This was not in the original quote). We did our best to keep the cost down by using some used posts(that I had in stock)and the customer agreed to pay me for. It was understood the boards would have to be purchased. (Not in the original quote). When the wire was being installed, the customer requested we bury the board & wire to keep the animals from escaping. (Not in the original quote). These changes obviously increased the price by time and materials.We complied with these changes & up to this point the customer was extremely happy with the work performed & the materials used. In March the final bill was presented, I received an e-mail informing me of how upset her spouse was. Discussion took place and we agreed to accept two checks totaling $3800.00 to be applied to the invoice & agreed to wait for the final payment of $1485.50. This was to be received after closing which was again rescheduled for August 28, 2015. (E-mail available for review). In that e-mail they agreed that if the closing did not take place, I would work with them to come & remove the fencing materials and sell or attempt to sell for them. We have had NO contact with them since that e-mail until we followed up with an invoice on September 8, 2015. (After the proposed closing of August 28, 2015). In that e-mail response, we were told the closing had again been delayed. They then asked for copies of the invoices for the fence & wire used for the pen. Customer stated she was not happy with "sub par" wire used, however we explained it was matched to the existing wire she was using (& bought from the previous farm). This was the first time we heard she was not happy with the quality of the wire fence. The copies of the PAID invoices were provided to them. It should be noted the price of the materials were not marked up. By this time, the customer had used the boards & wire for months without additional compensation to us.We received an e-mail & screenshot showing the final payment of $1458.50 (short $27.00) being paid to us, so I presumed everything was settled. I consider the content of their e-mail to be threatening. (A copy of that e-mail is available for review as well). I never have and never would threaten anyone harm. My record I feel stands for itself.As our work is guaranteed, had we been notified earlier, perhaps we could have repaired the area of the fence she states she is not happy with. We take pride in our solid work record, being in business for over 20 years. We have never had an issue until now. We feel we are within our rights to keep the funds as they represent repayment for the materials used, (even though it is short $27.00) and paid by me in March & April 2015.[redacted] Consumer Response There are several false statements in [redacted] response:First, the only thing changed throughout the project was replacing a line of rotten posts. I asked the worker he left in charge of the project about budget and he referred me to [redacted]. [redacted]'s response was that the budget was fine and to leave him a good review online and we would, "settle up later." Everything else he is claiming was added to the project is simply not true. Secondly, the check was not $27 short, he has been paid in full. Our lawyer reported to us that people were constantly being threatened with lawsuits from [redacted] McCrimmon although he doesn't follow through; we were advised not to pay him. He was paid as he had threatened to rip out fencing from the property while I was at work. The 'threatening' email he is referring to, which is available for review, lets him know (on the advice of our lawyer) that he would be charged with criminal trespassing if he, his workers or his equipment was to come on our land and that he is to have no contact with me, my husband or our animals due to his threat of coming on the property when we were not home to remove fencing. [redacted] is right in that his record speaks for itself but is not being honest in regards to not having prior issues with dissatisfied customers. Over the last month I have met 5 other families who had the same experience of [redacted] giving a false estimate. One individual had to take out a second mortgage to cover the final bill as it was so vastly different from his original estimate. Another of those families were also threatened with having their fencing ripped out, two more were threatened to be sued. Names have not been included due to Revdex.com instructions of not including identifying information but those names are available for review. Nothing about [redacted] behavior indicates that he stands by his work. My hope is that this Revdex.com complaint as well as the word of mouth reviews he will be receiving will prevent another family from having to deal with his unscrupulous business practices. Final Business Response There are several false statements in the consumer's response: 1. The issue with the rotten posts...the boards required to repair the fence were of equestrian quality (purchased from [redacted]) & the PAID bill was presented without any mark up. We charged no delivery fee as we picked up & delivered the boards ourselves. Most equestrian folks know the quality & price of materials.2. The invoice #[redacted] had an outstanding balance of $1485.50 (after crediting 2 checks for $3800.00). The check received for the "payoff" was $1458.50- ( a difference of $27.00). I only site this as the consumer is stating they paid it in full. If they will check their records, they will see the figures given are accurate & there is a shortage of $27.00.3. As for the statement by the consumer regarding the attorney telling them that we "constantly threaten with lawsuits" is absolutely false. We have in our 20+ years of business never had to go to court due to a customer not paying their bill. I would think perhaps this would be considered an "unscrupulous" attorney they are dealing with to make accusations without proof. 4. I never threatened the consumer that I would come take the fence up "while they were at work". I simply told her if she did not pay, I would come & remove the fence since I had paid for it.5. It was news to me that the consumer has "5 other families that had the same experience with me giving false estimates." If these folks existed, why did they never come to me to discuss?6. As for the comment regarding "word of mouth reviews", I would hope the Revdex.com & the consumers attorney would warn them against making derogatory comments without proof regarding me or my business. These comments need to stop immediately as there has been no proof of these accusations presented.I stated before & I will state again, my record speaks for itself...in the 20+ years of service, I have never had an issue such as this. [redacted] McCrimmon