Universal Steel Buildings Corporation

Review: I bought a Steel Building from Olympia in late December 2013 and it was delivered in February 2014. I submitted their engineered drawings in March 2014 after waiting for my Architect layout drawings. My county kicked out Olympias drawings for not being up to date for current building codes. They are on IBC2006 while the County is on IBC2012. I was told by the salesman that I purchased from that it was my fault for not submitting sooner and I would have to pay additional cost for new drawings as well as any additional materials. My County has not used IBC2006 for 6 years now. I can't get anyone to return my emails. Guess I'm stuck with a building I will never be able to erect. Thanks for nothing Olympia Buildings.Desired Settlement: If Olympia can't supply me current Building Code drawings I of course would like my money returned.

Business

Response:

We were just made aware of the building code issue April 17, 2014. We immediately sent the job to engineering to be reviewed for a solution. The engineer will be sending out the revised stamped construction drawings for IBC 2012 and llSmph so that the customer can obtain his permit via UPS today.

This will be done at no additional tost to the customer. We trust this resolves any issues they may have incurred, As always we value the business our customers supply us with and strive to continue work with them to satisfy their needs as reasonably as possible.

Thank you, [redacted]

Review: I bought a 80 x 220 riding horse arena through Olympia and signed paperwork in April. Building was delivered in June. We have had several issues with Olympia and not much resolved. The first issue was that two doors were not right on the prints even though they were corrected on the paperwork we signed. The concrete piers and rebar were installed according to the prints. When the contractors were setting up the structure we noticed that they were not the right size. We had to fabricate the one door smaller. The other door we had to just completely get rid of because the opening was to small for what we intended it for. The second issue was the delay in getting our secondary colored metal for the bottom of the building. Salesman said this did not get put on the build order. He said he forgot to change it and he would eat the cost of the metal. We were told several times that this metal would be here on a specific day and it would not show. We had to wait several days and made several phone calls that would not be returned. After several broken dates, they could not deliver the metal to us so we had to drive 100 miles each way to pick it up. Not to mention the rented lifts were sitting idle several days while we waited for the metal to be done.The third problem was the shortage of screws. I made two different trips to a metal company to find screws that were the right color and size. Told the salesman and never heard anything back about this issue.The fourth problem is that we are still waiting to get our gutters, downspouts, ridge vents, and some other missing pieces of the barn. We were told several times that they would be here and no communication and no delivery. The rented lifts and the contractors left because of no delivery.I am left with a barn that is not finished. No word on when I am getting this shipment. I have called salesman several times a day for over 12 days and no response. I cant believe that the salesman or the other people I have talked to won't call me back.Desired Settlement: I want the ridgevents, gutters, downspouts and misc pieces of metal delivered ASAP. I also want reimbursed for screws that I had to buy. Also, there was talk of reimbursement for the incorrect door sizes. It would be nice to receive a phone call back after all these messages.

Business

Response:

We strive to meet our customer’s expectations and have worked with our customer to address his concerns and to accommodate him. We were unable to assist our customer resolve his door matter as his erector proceeded with a field remedy using other building components before we were notified of this. As the customer is aware, under the terms of his Contract the Company’s approval is required before field modifications or repairs are made or the Company is not liable for the costs incurred. We require prior approval to ensure that the field remedy does not compromise the design or structural integrity of the building or the building warranty and that the proper remedy is undertaken.

We do regret the delay the customer encountered in obtaining replacement parts for those used in his field remedy as well as certain accessories that were back ordered. We first needed to identify the building components that the customer’s erector used for the field remedy, which is what partially resulted in the customer claiming a part shortage. We then encountered a component manufacturing backlog and certain accessories were back ordered, which delayed fabrication and delivery. The customer has now received all parts, components and materials of his building and all accessories he ordered.

The Company has offered the customer a financial accommodation for any inconvenience he experienced although it has no contractual obligation to do so. We believe that the financial accommodation offered is more than reasonable under the circumstances and regard the customer’s demands as excessive and without any legal basis. We now consider this matter resolved as the Company has fulfilled its contractual obligations to the customer and in light of the Company’s good faith proposed financial accommodation.

Please contact us if you require any further information.

Sincerely,

XXXX

We bought our commerical structure from Olympia 15 years ago and it turned out to be a great choice. All of these years later our customers still ask if the building is new. Years later I did a retrofit with closed cell spray foam insulation that was not available at the quality level that it is today. I would encourage potential buyers to consider foaming their whole project.

Review: I ordered a building with Olympia Steel Building $54,316.00 March 2014. The sales representative set our building up to where it would be shipped in the fall as we requested and we completed plans on a remodel of an existing building along with the construction of the newly purchased building. So the sales representative then worked with our architect for the addition metal that would be needed for the remodeled buildings roof. Using his expertise and knowledge of the product he came up with the additional cost of $12,879.60 on September 30, 2014 for all of the materials to complete the addition with all of the roofing materials (might add that the remodeled building is approximately 2,600 square feet and the new building is 5,625 square feet and we got the entire building for the $54,316 and only roofing for $12,879.60). However we did agree that we would pay the costs. Our first problem was when the building was delayed in shipment but that we worked with. Then when the insulation package was to be shipped it was over looked. Then we received insulation without the required membrane to install the insulation (another delay). In the meantime we our out of pocket additional equipment rental and bad weather started coming in and delayed the job. Now we are at the end of the job and 6 pieces are missing and we have been trying for several weeks to see about getting these final pieces (it is still costing us additional money). Now we are told that we have to come up with more money because they were not included with the original order that the sales representative said that we needed after he worked with our architect and that we need to pony up the "pennies" (actually several hundreds more) compared to what we have already paid to complete our job. If that isn't enough we have materials we did not need at a cost of several thousands.Desired Settlement: We want the additional parts that we requested sent immediately and reimbursed for the cost of fabrication of the two ridge caps that were also not included but could not wait for a resolution. In addition I want the additional materials picked up and a credit issued.

Business

Response:

It was explained to the customer that insulation typically arrives 2-3 weeks after delivery of the building. Attached is a copy of Mr. [redacted]'s signed booking letter which clarifies the arrival time of insulation. It is unfortunate that the insulation arrived without the required membrane to install it; however, Olympia is not the manufacturer/shipper of the insulation, The missing membrane is something we had no control over. The additional parts he is requesting to be sent are not missing items, but rather an item that an incorrect amount was ordered. In his attached component order, Mr. [redacted] agreed to 2 Corner/End caps on the order, If he needs additional corner / end caps he will need to place another order with us. As for the 2 ridge caps, the contract states in section 4 of the terms and conditions that the customer has 30 days to report any shortages or damages. We offer this grace period to customers If they had reported them in the allotted time, we would have shipped the missing parts. "4, Al! goods purchased by Buyer hereunder shall be deemed fully accepted by Buyer. All claims for shortages of bulk packages or bundles are compared to the bill of lading or for alleged damages or defects caused by shipment of the goods shall be deemed waived unless any such claims are noted in writing on the driver's copy of the bill of landing at the time of delivery. All claims for alleged damages to and shortages of goods within concealed containers (i.e, parts inside boxes or crates) shall be reported in writing to Sellar within thirty [30) days of the date of delivery or the claims are waived." However, he waited too long to report the shortages. We are in no way required to reimburse him for the cost of the parts. We would be willing to ship an additional 6 corner / end caps, free of charge, if Mr. [redacted] signs a release to terminate Olympia of any legal liability,

Review: I Ordered a building on 4/21/15 I was assured before ordering that I would have the building in 6 to 7 weeks . I told them we were replacing a existing build that held our heating system for the entire complex so time was important to get it here so that we could get it up and new heating system up and running by the end of Sept. I received the plans on 5/11/15 they were incorrect as to the drawings I signed when ordering. I contacted them on 5/12/15 they told me they would revise them that day and overnight them to me. I waited for them and waited . I finally called them on 6/4/15 about the plans . They finally Emailed me the correct ones on 6/5/15 which is when I was suppose to take delivery of the building by. I called them again on 6/10/15 to find out when the building would arrive . I find out they have not even started on it. and now they tell me I won't receive it until 7/31/15 and want me to sign a delivery form. I sign it and fax it back. I call again on7/20/15 to verify the building will arrive on 7/31 to find out they still haven't started it and they will call me back. No one has called back I have called twice every day since then to different departments to find out what is going on. I Get answering machines I leave messages but no one calls back . I have to move on this building and get it up. At this point I just want a refund of the $10,900 I paid for deposit. We can't wait another 6 or more weeks to start building. We have a crew starting 8/1/15 to put the building up. If its not here we will have to stick build it. We have to have a building up and insulated by 9/15/2015 so that the heating contractor can get in and get the heating system running by the end of September when we will start needing heatDesired Settlement: Get the building here within the next 2 weeks or a full refund

Business

Response:

[redacted] Steel BuildingsOlympia Steel Buildings[redacted]Ms. [redacted],We apologize for the delay in getting back to the customer regarding delivery and any stress we havecaused Mr, [redacted]. We were able to move up his delivery date and he will be receiving the buildingAugust 24th.Sincerely,Adrian P[redacted]

Building is great Stuart was great to deal with,returned calls right away,worth every penny. Glad I did not do pole building ,there is no pole building that even comes close .

Review: Very rude salesman, would not let me explain what I wanted in my building, could not answer simple questions about building materials, had no concerns about what I wanted, very incompetent of trying to make a sale.Desired Settlement: My outcome is this, if this is how new custermors are treated, we don't need these kind of companies succeeding. America has enough of them.

Business

Response:

UNIVERSAL STEEL BUILDINGS CORP OLYMPIA STEEL BUILDINGS 400 ISLAND AVENUE McKEES ROCKS, PA 15136 ###-###-#### ###-###-#### FAX: ###-###-#### Date: 1-20-16 Dear Ms. [redacted], The customer requested a price on a building he anticipated he was going to build in 10 years. Mr. B[redacted] gave him a prospective price. The customer then stated he wanted to see foundation drawings. Mr. B[redacted] explained that our company does not do foundation drawings. Foundation drawings are designed by foundation engineers not civil engineers. Once the building is sold the engineer of the manufacturing plant produces a permit drawing. The drawings show the width, length, eve height, and the door openings. They also show elevations, kip reactions, and forces for each column. The permit drawings enable the buyer to obtain a permit from the building department so they can start their project. The plans showing the kip reactions are taken by the client to a foundation engineer. The foundation engineer take a certain number of boring tests on the site the client is going to build. Using the kip reactions and boring tests the engineer can now design the piers, foundations and frost walls for the building. Each foundation drawing is different as the soil conditions and kip reactions vary according to the building and soil conditions. Even after explaining this, the customer still insisted he wanted the foundation drawings. Mr. B[redacted] explained, again, that the company does not design foundation drawings nor do the manufacturing plants. The customer was quite rude and said that he was not impressed with the representative and said he was going to go elsewhere and hung up on Mr. B[redacted] We feel that the customer’s attitude and request were beyond reason. Sincerely, Arnold D[redacted] President

Consumer

Response:

My husband and myself are remodeling and building a shop in Alaska. We previously had a steel building and decided against one this time(that one was buildt was15 years ago). Somehow this company Olympia Steel Buildings got our cell number and have been aggressively trying to get us to write them a 27,000 check, for a building that we do not want.We have also been told that there is a downpayment made??? they are so persistent (Alex is the name of one of the sales men) that we had to block all phone numbers coming from there. We have not even and will not consider a steel building. Especially with one that has such aggressive sales tactics.

Review: We had an original agreement for two (2) buildings that were to be engineered in two (2) weeks which is why we originally selected Olympia Steel due to they could meet schedule. The engineering took over six (6) weeks with no reasoning why and pushed the delivery of these buildings back to between 10/20/14 thru 10/31/14 through the signing of a "Booking Letter". The late engineering of the building affected the engineering of the foundations pushing it back in the schedule also. Without any early notification we received a phone call 10/30/14 that the building would not be shipped until later with possibly a date of 11/17/14. First the booking letter states "Delivery cannot be delayed or postponed". This did not mention specifically the "Buyer" or the "Seller" and now that the "Booking LEtter" has become part of the contract, Olympia Steel Buildings is in breech of their own contract. For several days we spoke to a number of people that could not tell us how much of the buildings had been fabricated only that they would now meet a new delivery date. Since they had not met a given date so far in the project and with mounting costs going up have to keep the horses somewhere else not knowing when the building would arrive, costs went through the roof. We did not receive foundation drawings stamped until late October 2014. Finally a date was given of 11/14/14 for three trucks to arrive. On that day two trucks arrived with no one in their organization knowing where the third truck was. Finally after a lot of phone calls, it was agreed that there was a third truck and it will arrive late that day which it did. These significant delays cost this project and the end user a significant amount of dollars and by delivery this information and building in late fall when the weather turns bad, cost a significant amount of money. We would like to be compensated for the mis-direction and clearly their breech of their own contract. We are seeking some type of money for delays after the salesman's made promise.Desired Settlement: We desire a significant compensation of at least $15,000 as that is the cost to keep the horses at other facilities. We have lost income from the stables and riding lessons also and should they have conveyed this schedule originally to us, we would have never selected them in the first place. We believe the sales associated said whatever was necessary to get the sale. We feel this is a fair and reasonable settlement for their breech of contract as clearly spelled out on their "Booking Letter".

Business

Response:

12/31/2014Olympia Steel Buildings is a contractor. We purchase buildings from different factories and schedulingfor delivery is done by these factories. We have no control as to when the permit drawings are sent and when the building is delivered.The factory notified us that the drawings would be done by a specific date and the building would beshipped by a specific date. Neither of these dates were met. We endeavored to try and rectify thedelivery of the plans and the building specified time but the factory, [redacted], wereoverloaded and could not comply with our request.Because we have no control in the actual delivery dates of the permit drawings or buildings, ourcontracts state in clause:3. (6): “Buyer agrees that any delivery dates stated by Seller shall be estimates only, may be subject tochange by Seller without notice, and are based, among other things, on manufacturing and deliveryschedules”and 11. “Seller shall not under any circumstances be liable to buyer for any incidental, consequential,special, punitive or indirect damages or personal injury or property damage of any kind or naturewhatsoever, including but not limited to, costs, loss of profits, loss of use, or loss of revenue, inconjunction with or which arise out or as a result of performance orfailure to perform any obligationcontained in this contract, breach of this contract-..”Though the delay in delivery of the goods associated with this contract may have been an inconvenienceto the customer, the dates included in the contract were estimates.

Review: We ordered an Olympia Steel Building to erect in-house with our crews. The gutters did not arrive with the building and we called our Representative [redacted] acknowledged that he forgot the gutters and would be sending them soon. This was in early March 2014. It is now the 21st of April and we have no guters. We have left numerous voice mails, called parts dept., sent emails. No reply. The worst part is we can not put the roof on until the gutters arrive. Please be advised, that not only is the customer service terrible but the quality of the product and delivery is also sub-par.Desired Settlement: Please contact Olympia and get them to send the gutters and the correct eaves to install on our building. It is not much good with out a roof.

Business

Response:

The gutters, downspouts and simple eave trim will ship out 5/13/14.

The gutters were not ordered on the original purchase order ($16,000). We did however give Mr. [redacted] a price on the gutters of $800 if they were ordered before the building shipped out. We did receive a call from Mr. [redacted] before the shipment stating he wanted to add the gutters but no funds were exchanged for the purchase of this material. After the shipment arrived the gutters were purchased. At this point the $800 for the gutters was honored by our office however we had to ship these with another load. The reason for shipping with another load is the $800 is the exact cost of the gutters without shipping (They were originally quoted to ship with the building but we are still honoring the price). The gutters, downspouts and simple eave trim with ship out 5/13/14.

Thank you,

Olympia Steel Buildings

Universal Steel Buildings Corp.

400 Island Ave.

McKees Rocks, PA 15136

Review: I received the building as scheduled in October of 2014. They were lacking the door covers at that time I was told they would be shipped separately It is November 10 2015 and I can not get the rep to get back with me her name is Allison k[redacted]Desired Settlement: Send me the covers that I bought and paid for over a year ago.

Business

Response:

We are terribly sorry for the delay in delivery. We have worked the issue out and Mr. [redacted] has rescinded his complaint. His materials will delivery Monday, December 7th.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Review: I purchased a building from Olympia Steel and did not receive the man door that was promised with it. The sales person we started with specifically promised a man door and was clear that the shop would not come with the large shop doors, as those have lots of options, so that's up to us to get. The first document she sent us had a framed 3'x7' door included, but as we refined what we wanted (adding eave overhang, adding insulation and other option upgrades), the document we ended up signing had no door included. I remember a question to the sales person about this and the response was that it had to be removed because all their buildings come with one man door, if it was spelled out on the contract, that would mean we would get two. I don't know much about buildings, but it does seem reasonable that a building must come with one door. The sales person had issues and confusion over their own product, so she called me back with questions about the door or door frame that we wanted. I told her we need a door AND frame, not just a door. When the shop arrived, no door. When I called back, she had changed jobs (been demoted, I assume) to shipping. The sales associate checked on the door and called me back saying that it would show up with the insulation (about a month later, from a different warehouse). When the insulation showed up and no door, I called again, got yet another sales associate who checked, called me back and told me to wait a bit more, its on the way. More calling and checking and trying to escalate the issue got me to the VP who would always, "check and call me back." Finally, his email response was to tell me to check my signed contract, nothing more. I was already unhappy with Olympia Steel for messing up the structural drawings 3 times (4 sets of drawings), causing excessive permit delays, trying to charge me $1800 for one of those sets of drawings "due to where I live" and of course, all after they had my down payment. They worked through all this.. I don't know if the first sales person knowingly removed it and their practice is to just say the door is coming until the VP tells the customer to 'check the contract' or if everyone there is slightly incompetent. Either way, at no point did I think I was getting a shop without a man door.Desired Settlement: I just want a man door, as promised.

Business

Response:

None of our buildings come with doors. Ms. J[redacted] was never charged for a door and

there is no door on the contract. Both mentions of the man are about location

only. There is no mention of us supplying the door itself. It also mentions the

garage doors, which we also did not supply. Victor offered to Ms. [redacted] a door

at cost and she was unsatisfied with that solution. The bottom line is she was

never promised a door and she was not charged for a door. If she would like to

order one, we would be more than happy to sell her one.

Review: I purchased a complete building to include a garage door. When the contractor went to install the door the door was the wrong size for the building space. I contacted Olympic steel building and advised the on 12-17-2015. Again on 12-28-2015/1-13-2016/1-20-2016/1/26-2016 was told all replacement parts will be delivered the next week. No parts arrived then contacted on 2-10-2016. Again no word emailed on 2-29-2016/3-2-2016 was told had to reorder parts. Again no word emailed again on 3-7-2016 and they wanted me to measure the door opening even though they engineered and manufactured the building. On 3-9-2016 they contacted me thru email and I replied to call me so we can get this under control. I t is 3-16-2016 and I have yet to hear from anyone from the company.Desired Settlement: To just get the correct garage door that I needed delivered to my sight so I can get a tenant in the building asap.

Business

Response:

Mr. [redacted] purchased the building from us on 6/11/2014 (See attached contract - 1). His building was delivered 10/6/2014 (see attached CONFIRMATION OF DELIVERY - 2).On 8/15/2014 he purchased a 12x11 Canister Roll up door and it was shipped out to him on 11/5/2014 (see attached COMPONENT ORDER - 3).Mr. [redacted] contact us in July of 2015 to notify us of the missing canopies for his walk doors. We have a 30 day window after delivery to inform us of missing or damaged parts. “TERMS AND CONDITIONS. 4…. All claims for alleged damages to and shortages of goods within concealed containers (i.e. parts inside boxes or crates) shall be reported in writing to Seller within thirty (30) days of the date of delivery or the claims are waived.”(attached - 4) Even though Mr. [redacted] was well beyond that 30 day guarantee, we replaced those parts at no cost to him. (see attached INVOICE – 161663 - 5)In 12/2015 he contacted us to notify us that he had the wrong door size delivered. We offered to send out paneling to close up the difference in height and he refused this solution. Despite Mr. [redacted] being so far outside of the 30 day guarantee, the offer still stands. We feel this is a fair resolution.

Review: I contacted Olympia because they listed a great building on their web site. I contacted them directly and a sales person ([redacted]) emailed me back. He gave me a quote on a building that was cancelled by a customer (First hint of trouble) that was close to what I need. I sent them a deposit and they sent me a very vague contract with LOTS of vague details. I requested the blue prints MANY times over several months to begin the foundation work. When I FINALLY received the blue prints, the building was NOTHING like the building listed on their web site and it was a flimsy building of light weight materials and did not have any of the features listed on their site that made me want to use their building in the first place. I told them that this was unacceptable and cancelled the building BEFORE they even started fabrication. I filed a claim with my credit card company for the deposit. I do not know what Olympia told the CC company, but the claim was apparently denied. They are nothing but BAIT AND SWITCH artists.Desired Settlement: I want the deposit of $2,100 back. They did not ship any materials and they did not even get any materials produced as I cancelled this building two days after the blue prints were produced.

Business

Response:

After reviewing all facts pertaining to this complaint we find that the complaint has no merit for the following reasons:

1. The contract is not in any way “vague” as the customer claims.

The customer’s signed contract clearly states all building specifications, including required wind and snow loads for the customer’s location and building application. (Copy of signed contract enclosed)

2. All building specifications, features and warrantees noted on the customer’s contract are identical to those presented on our website here: http://www.olvmpiabuildings.com/features.html

Standard Steel Building Features & Warranties:

As part of Olympia Steel Buildings commitment to quality, the following features and warranties come standard with every building.

• AZ55 Galvalume PBR roof sheeting, 26 gauge, 60,000 psi - 25 year rust perforation warranty

• Stainless steel capped fasteners - Lifetime rust warranty

• Siliconized polyester baked-on enamel paint - various colors available - 40-year warranty

. Purlins, girts, base angles - secondary framing - hot-dipped mill-galvariized coating for long-life rust protection

• No posts, no beams, all clearspan - complete usable space

• Standard at no extra cost: cable X-bracing provides enormous strength for wind protection

• Optional accessories: wall lights, sky lights, insulation, ridge vents, cylindrical vents, gutters and downspouts

3. Statement that the blue prints show a “flimsy building of light weight materials,” is false.

Blue prints show only the building elevations, location of openings, kip reactions and anchor bold locations. Furthermore, side and roof panels are 26 gauge - identical to that specified on our website. Small buildings, such as the 2G’x 28? ordered by the customer are engineered with a c-channel frame in the center of the building. This is standard.

4. The statement, “the building was nothing like the building listed on their website” is false. There are numerous photographs of buildings with identical characteristics shown throughout our website for our customers to review.