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:03/16/2023

  Type:Service or Repair 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 bid for $30,686 in August 2020 & a change order of $2932 in December 2020 for labor & material for kitchen cabinets, ********************** & tile work for three bathrooms. When we signed a lump sum bid, we paid an initial payment of $15,500 to hold the price. We NEVER received a contract from them nor signed a contract with them. They ordered the kitchen cabinets and had them delivered even though we told them on multiple occasions we were not ready for the cabinets to be ordered or installed as we were still working for city permits to be approved. Once the city permit was finally approved, we contacted them & advised we were a couple weeks away from having the cabinets installed. It took them 2 1/2 months to provide us with an estimate that was more than double the original bid we signed, and they completely changed what was included in the contract. Since they are breaching the contract, we have requested our refund back less the cost of the cabinets yet they are refusing to reimburse us our money. I explained they have no right to hold our money as there was nothing in writing stating it was non-refundable and they have not started any work yet. The owner told us their contracts now state the deposit is non-refundable. I reminded them our paperwork didn't include this so they need to reimburse us the remaining amount. The owner agreed at that time that our paperwork didn't state that and he will reimburse us, but didn't agree to what we requested. Now the owner refuses to return any of our remaining money and says he will only do work for us at their current pricing which we will not agree to as they changed line items and increased their price by more than double which is completely unethical. The owner also said since he wasn't the owner of the company when we paid the partial payment, he doesn't owe us anything. The changes they made on their bid is considered breach of contract, fraud, and unethical business practices.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/24/2023

  I acquired Republic West Remodeling on June 1, 2022.  Per the customer's admission, there was not a contract executed for her project.  As a result, I had no knowledge of this project or it's status when I acquired the business, nor have I ever received any compensation or funds from ***************  Furthermore, she states that she entered into a "contract" with the previous owner as of August, 2020, over 2 years before she began contacting me for restitution or a refund.  As I informed her then, it is my position that I have no obligation to fulfill a "contract" that wasn't executed by either party nor that I was even aware of, or was ever compensated for.   In addition, there is no record of her paying for the change order she said she signed.

  In an effort to help her in some way, I was willing to help her complete her project.  But, I informed her that she would have to pay current rates for the work to be performed.  It is commonly understood in the market that the costs of labor and materials have substantially increased from August 2020 to late 2022 and into 2023.  She was not happy with my offer and has requested a refund.  I believe that request has no merit.

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/06/2023

  Response:

  
  

  We signed a lump sum bid for Republic West (license #******* and paid them $15,500 in August 2020 for labor and material to remodel 3 bathrooms and a kitchen for $30,686. In December 2020 we met Republic West at the house and we signed a change order for $2932 to add a kitchen island. We were never asked to give them money at that time for the Change Order as we understood it was going to be added to the total cost of the project as we had already paid 50% of the entire job and they hadn't even started any work yet.  They have confirmed they have the paperwork for the signed bid and signed change order for a renovating 3 bathrooms and a kitchen and there is no dispute that we have paid $15,500 to Republic West. 
  

  
  

  The current owner states the previous owner received our deposit of $15,500. The new owner is using the same name, address, phone number, and same business license number as the company we paid.  However, if the new owner is not responsible for refunding us, then we need to know what to do to hold the previous owner accountable to refund us $11,512.38 which is the remaining deposit we paid to Republic West. 

  
  

  Thank you.

  
  

  *********************

  Business Response

  Date: 04/17/2023

  BBB Representative,

  As mentioned in my previous response and as confirmed by **************, a contract between Mr. and *************** and ******************* was never executed prior to my acquisition of the company on June 1, 2022.  Furthermore, I acquired the assets, tradename and business license of the company, but specifically excluded any debts or liabilities of the previous company.  So, at the time of my acquisition, I had no knowledge of any obligation to Mr and ***************, did not purchase an executed contract (because there wasn't one), nor did I receive any funds from the previous owner related to her deposit.  Furthermore, the cabinets that were ordered for the Frosts were done so years ago and were delivered to the job site well before the acquisition date.  As a result, I had no knowledge of any of that activity as of the acquisition date. So, it is my position that I am under no legal, ethical or moral obligation to do anything to settle this issue with Mr. ***** ****************

  I do believe that Mr. and *************** have some claim to additional value for the deposit they made to the previous owner.  Even though I don't believe I have an obligation to refund monies or do additional work, I have offered a credit for a portion of the difference between their deposit and the value of what they have received to date in goods and services.  I have offered the Frosts a value of $3,500 to be used toward materials or services.  Alternatively, I am willing to write them a check for $1,750 to settle the credit, close the project, and close the complaint.

  That is my best and final offer, and in my opinion above what I am obligated to do for the Frosts.  This offer is good until 4/30/23 and then it will be rescinded.

  **********