Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:18/11/2022

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  We signed a contract with the company for landscaping and home renovation with an estimate of $76,000, and paid a deposit of $40,000 (though with the business owner insisting that the check be written to him personally-- ***** ****-- rather than to his company-- Forestland Carpentry). We were given an estimate of 6-8 work weeks to complete the job, which is somewhat weather-dependent, Work began on our property on Aug 29, 2022. By November 7, 2022 less than a third of the job had been completed, and we were presented with a demand for an additional $20,000 dollars before any work would continue. When we asked for some documentation as to how our $40,000 had been spent with so little of the job completed, we were presented with a new estimate and contract to sign (which we did not sign, of course) that included more than $20,000 in additional costs to finish the job. There were no details offered explaining how our costs had increased by this much, despite the job having been (by our estimate) less than one third completed, all if it landscaping and prep work for a small (less than 200ft) addition). The answer we were giving (in the context of emails, which we have retained) was a list of completely un-costed "extras".
  
  Other important details:
  
  -The reason for the large and early advance payment requested was so that the contractor could secure materials and arrange for relevant planning and permitting documents (and the deposit was made in May 2022), We have seen no evidence that any materials besides gravel fill have been purchased for our job. No building materials have been placed on our site and he refuses to provide receipts for any materials purchased using our $40,000 deposit.
  
  -The contractor has repeatedly claimed that th permit for the job was pending, due to administrative delays at the municipal office, When we contracted the office they said the permit had been approved but simply not paid for. We were then forced to pay for the permit ourselves

  Business Response

  Date: 08/12/2022

  Hello. This is a very unfortunate situation. I have copies of all of the emails we exchanged which completely proves that I tried to work with these clients and try to resolve this issue. ***** failed to mention that he tried to hold my equipment and tools “hostage” until this issue was resolved. So I was forced to call the police to get my property back. He had covered my excavator in chains that the police told me to cut off. (Which I have pictures of) He had parked his car behind my cargo trailer. The police knocked on their door, and even said to me “looks like you do great work” and I do. I’m not in the business of screwing my clients. This has never happened to me before. I was on site for 2 months. With my crew of 4 guys including myself. We’re we there everyday…no. It rained a lot this fall so I wasn’t able to be there everyday. And at times had to wait days for the ground to be dry enough to continue. So for ***** to think I owe him money is a joke. I’m the one out money in this situation, mostly labour costs. I don’t have access to a computer at this time so I’m writing you this message on my iPhone so I’m unable to send you the emails. Can I email them to you directly somehow? And the pictures. I respect this process. I’m sorry for my delayed response to this matter. 
  im sure my 30min is almost up. Trying to type this message on a phone os difficult. Please email me back and I will use a computer to respond and send u all the documentation I can provide. 
  thank you. Have a good day

   

  ***** ****

  Forestland Carpentry