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Business Profile

Design Contractors

Specialties Design

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Design Contractors.

Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 2 total complaints in the last 3 years.
  • 1 complaint closed in the last 12 months.

If you've experienced an issue

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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.

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Complaint status

Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:10/25/2024

    Type:Order Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    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.
    May 1, 2023: I signed a contract with ********* *******, Principal Designer at Specialties Design *********************. The contract states that the designer proposes to prepare working drawings (site plan, floor plan, exterior elevations, electrical plan, framing plan, cross sections, details, roof plan, general notes and permit runner courier) for an "As Built Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) portion of detached garage" at my residence. I gave Mr. ******* a check $1,200, which was the first installment. He told me the permit process was to take 5-6 weeks. After several calls (after the 5-6 weeks) Mr. ******* told me he was on his way to the County to a meeting re: my septic system. Another subsequent call a few weeks later, and he was meeting with the County later that week. He said to call early the next week for his report. When I called, I couldn't reach Mr. ******* either on his cell or at his office all week. However, I understand that summer is vacation time for many workers, and with the State waiving permit fees for ****, I assumed the process would take longer. I've been patient but my calls and voicemail have gone unanswered. On May 24, 2024, I contacted the *************** of S.D. County, and they said that NO plans or actions had been submitted for an *** at my address. It's been a scam. I would like a full refund from Mr. ******* and to let others beware of hiring Specialties Design.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:05/14/2024

    Type:Order Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    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.
    I entered into a contract with this draftsman for drafting and submitting working drawings and obtaining permits, submitting all to the city for my *** to be built. I paid the retainer fee of $1,400 on 9/25/2023. The total amount due by fulfillment of the contract is $3,400.Since paying him the initial fee he became very hard to get a response from. As months have gone by I have tried to contact him in many ways - call/text/email- and wait days, weeks and even a month for any response. He does not return my call/text/email. My permits are expiring next week. I have applied by myself to have them renewed since he said he would but has not, and will simply let them expire, while he has not completed the drawings.This contract with him was signed in September. I have been politely following up with him to do the work outlined in the contract. I have waited since February for him to find out whether there is a minimum width for the entrance to the *** so that we can move on. He still has not. I have paid him as well as previously paying for permits. If the permits expire my project starts over and I have to pay for permits again as well as wait months in line at the city again. It can not happen.I realized this week he is never going to get my project done. He said he would renew the permits but he did not. He said he would find out about the walkway width by Monday two weeks ago- he did not. Since I left him a voicemail last week I again have not heard from him, even at this vital time.I have waited months for my drawings while he took my money. He has incomplete drawings for me that can not be submitted, while he lies that he will do the work.I discovered this week that he has been doing this for years changing his business name over and over. Complaints have been made to BBB before. Please ask me for more info.I need to be out of my contract, i need my retainer fee back, and if my permit renewal is not approved he owes me for those too. I cant get back the time taken.

Specialties Design is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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