Minor's Fences, Inc.

Ms. [redacted] The job for Mrs. [redacted] was sold by Mike B[redacted], our newest estimator. He was not aware the panels with rings would not rack. Work began on the fence on 12/5/2016. The two front sections of fence were 4' high Aluminum with rings (picture attached). The left side was 164' of...

fence and the right side was 25' of fence. Daniel T[redacted] Job Foreman) started the installation of the fence off the house. The yard on the right side sloped too much for the fence with rings in it. The panels due to the rings will not rack to the grade of the yard. Daniel called Me (Minor Hairfield, Owner) to come out and assess the situation. I met with Mrs. [redacted] when I arrive and explained the situation to her. We went over the options that were available to her. We agreed to change the layout of the fence to come straight off the back of the house, using the aluminum fence that matched the rest of her yard with no rings in it. This way no fence was seen from the road on the right side of the house. Mrs. [redacted] agreed to this. Everything was very cordial, we finished the fence installation.  See the attached original letter dated 12/10/2016, received from Mrs. [redacted] after the job was completed (12/8/2016) and original invoice was printed (12/9/2016). I was blindsided by this letter. She and I seemed to be in agreement when the changes were made. I deducted an additional $[redacted] off the invoice in response to her letter. When broke down is an additional $[redacted] per foot. Mrs. [redacted] contacted the office requesting a fence panel be removed. After deliberating over Mrs. [redacted]'s request for a few days, I decided it was not a good idea to do anymore work for her. My words to her were "Considering we had such a bad experience together on the last job, I felt like it was not a good idea to any further work". Her response was that she had a two year warranty, I told her that I would live up to any warranty issues, for sure. She then said wait until I get through with you on Social Media. I told her that is up to you Mam. Have a nice day. Mrs. [redacted] then sent an email on 7/24/2017@ 2:39 pm. It is not correct on anything I said. As for her contacting you I guess that is part of her following up on her social medial threat. I stand behind my decision not to do any further work for her. We made a mistake, I did my best to rectify it, and over compensated her for an honest mistake by a young man learning a new trade. Sincerely, Sincerely,Terry W[redacted]Office Manager

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the offer and/or response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 12287779, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
[Provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.]
Regards,
[redacted]
There is no resolution here. All of the information provided just confirms what happened. If the estimator was so inexperienced then he should have been sent out with someone that knew what they were doing. The cost of $[redacted] is not a small amount. It shows that this company does not take their jobs seriously. Not only was I inconvenienced, but I did not get the original fence that I contracted for. Minor the owner is also a liar, I never said just wait until I post on social media about you. He said that it was his choice to not do anymore work for me, and I said that it was my choice to post a review about his lack of customer service. He replied that he did not care what I did. He was rude to me on the phone, and I was totally blindsided. I would not have called him to ask him to remove a panel if I had thought that there was any issue with him. He obviously does not want to resolve anything. I would like to give him some advice though, next time send an experienced worker, and customer service is what brings customers back. Do not blame the customer for your mistakes. I will not call him for anything, but warranty work from now on.

Review: I sent the following letter to [redacted], Owner:

June 29, 2014 [redacted] Minors Fences, Inc. [redacted],

This letter is in follow-up to our phone conversation regarding two issues relating to the installation of the fence and 2 gates at (address was here...xxxxxxx). I have called several times and your staff has come out to adjust the gate near the garage. You insisted that the last time they came out to the house; it was working fine and that sometimes when the wood is wet the latch may not work well due to the weight. I believe someone else from you staff had come to the house a few days before and made adjustments and that was why it was working fine later in the week. The challenges with the latch have never been an issue with the other gate.

Regardless, there are two issues I want fixed permanently, professionally, and promptly:

1- The driveway area near the fence/gate that Minors Fences installed did not have any cracks in it prior to the installation. Now, the concrete driveway, and concrete surrounding the post with the gate latch have cracks in them. The cracks continue to spread and widen. Again, the concrete area of the driveway has been in place for more than 10 years and never had a crack in it – neither did the concrete that held the old post and gate in place.

2- Minors Fences installed two gates; the one near the garage is the gate that we have had to call your company about multiple times as the latch becomes very hard to close. We use this gate daily and rely on it for keeping the dogs safe and in the back yard. We have not had any trouble with the other gate.

Perhaps these two issues are related. Could the cracked concrete be causing the post to shift resulting in the latch being misaligned?

Both of these issues – the gate latch challenges and the cracked concrete – should be the responsibility of Minors Fences. I ask for a written response with a written plan of action (with completion dates) no later than July 10, 2014.

We are repeat customers. We first used Minors Fences in 2005 to install a privacy fence. We paid $3,175 and did not have any complaints. This most recent work from Minors Fences, of which we paid $2,150 has been a disappointment, beginning with having to have your crew sand down a post that had a large divot in it. Instead of enjoying the fence, we continue to be frustrated with the concrete cracks and the latch on the gate near the garage.

Thank you for your prompt attention and response to this request,

xxxxx name xxxxxx name

(address)

(phone number)

[redacted] responded with a letter denying any responsibility. He stated in the letter that the latch works as intended and it is supposed to help support the gate. This contradicts his previous phone conversations with me (before we sent the letter) where he stated the latch was difficult because the wood was wet.

The gate latch has become so difficult that I had to put a handle on it to help tug it to shut it. Minors Fences installed another gate at the same time on the other side of the house and we have not had any trouble with it. I have called Minors Fences several times/and e-mails to ask [redacted] to come to the house when I am here and he no longer returns my phone calls after I wrote the letter. I would have thought he would come and speak with me in person so I could explain in person. I have pictures and video if Revdex.com would like to see those. Also, I have the letter from [redacted] if Revdex.com would like to see that as well.Desired Settlement: Repaire concrete and repair gate latch to industry standards. Or, refund total amount paid for the full invoice.

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates that the business has not responded to you directly. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

At this time, I have not been contacted by Minor's Fences, Inc. regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Regards,

Review: Minor's Fences installed a fence at my home, under contract with the previous owner, in July 2013. We had not closed on the purchase of the home at that time, but the fence installation was a part of our purchase agreement with the previous homeowner. Minor's Fences was instructed that we would be installing an in-ground pool inside the fence. After the initial installation, we were happy with the quality of the product and service. However, we recently began talking to pool contractors about our new pool. They informed us that the fence, as installed, does not meet the building code because the two gates swing inward instead of outward. I talked to [redacted] and [redacted] at Minor's Fences and informed them of the problem. They both acknowledged that the work order said the fence would be used for a pool. They said they could fix one gate but not the second because the second would not be able to swing outward properly due to the slope of the ground. I pointed out that if the fence were moved about 3 feet, the gate could be installed properly and still open properly. Minor responded that he put the fence where he was instructed, and furthermore, his contract was with the previous homeowner, not me, so he refused to do anything. I said that they should have told us the fence would not meet code if it was placed where it was shown on the plan. We did not care if the fence placement was moved 3 feet, or even 10 feet or more. We just needed a fence for our pool to meet code. [redacted] said we would need to pay about $2,400 to move the fence and they have no responsibility for this. I contend that they should have informed us of the building code and discussed out options before knowingly installing a product in a manner that would not pass an inspection. I want them to do what it takes to meet building code. Minor refused to take any action and he instructed me by email to contact his attorney if I wish to pursue this.Desired Settlement: I want Minor's Fences to fix the fence so that it looks good and meets the building code. Both gates need to swing outward, as required by code. They can move the fence or alter the slope of the driveway so that the hinges can be reversed and the gate will work properly. I want the work done in a manner so that fence and driveway match the quality they are presently.

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted]:

Please be advised that this firm represents Minor's Fences, Inc. and has received a copy of your correspondence and the complaint from [redacted]. I respectfully request that all further correspondence and communication regarding this matter be directed to my attention.

My client contests the assertions set forth in the complaint. Notwithstanding the claims made by [redacted], my client believes that the fence was properly installed based upon the contract with [redacted] and directions given by him in June 2013. My client is unaware of the extent, subject matter or timing of any conversations by and between [redacted] and [redacted]. The first contact from [redacted] to my client was in January 2014.

Appropriate efforts were considered by my client to accommodate the changes that [redacted] demands, however, [redacted] refuses to remit payment for the desired changes to the fence.

Minor's Fences will review and consider all future work requested by [redacted] and will respond accordingly.

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

The supplier, Minor's Fences, continues to take no responsibility for their oversight. In fact, they are now referring all inquiries to their attorney, as you can see. [redacted], the person who actually ordered the fence from Minor's, has also been talking to [redacted] (the owner) and has received no offer to fix the problem. Two people at Minor's Fences, including the owner, acknowledged to me in phone conversations that the fence does not meet the building code because of the installation of the gates. Minor's current position, according to [redacted], is that Powhatan County inspectors do not always enforce the code as written, so we are just being obstinate in asking for a correction. They are saying that we need to pay for the correction. If the building inspector will give me something in writing that the fence is satisfactory, then I will be satisfied. Otherwise, I expect Minor's Fences to correct their error so that the fence meets code.

Regards,