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:04/09/2025

  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.

  I hired Tabula Rasa Design Co to finish the basement in the house. The total paid to them was $69862.50.This job was declared completed by them on 10/3/2024, however there were many critical issues with the work that I discovered over the course of a few months afterwards.The problems I found:1 - The bottom of the basement kitchen sink was nearly the same hight of the horizontal drain connection coming out of the wall underneath the sink. When taking into account the P-trap, this effectively prevented the sink from draining properly 2 - The supply lines for the sink faucet was installed in an exterior wall without adequate insulation. The hot & cold supply lines froze in the wall twice this past February.3 - The disposal switch installed by Tabula Rasa Design near the kitchen sink did not work properly when trying to activate the disposal.4 - The electrician I hired to troubleshoot the disposal switch discovered several alarming things with the electrical work in the basement. All the junction boxes inside the basement walls for all the outlets were the low voltage type (typically used for things like phone jacks, coaxial cable, etc.) and not the required type needed for 120v or 220v.5 - The electrician also noted that the 50a breaker for the oven was higher than the 30a rated wire that was installed. This, coupled with the low voltage J-box for the 220v stove outlet would have started a fire before tripping.6 - All of the LED lights installed have Romex wire going directly into all their respective metal electrical boxes without and bushings. The sharp metal can easily cut through the wire insulation over time.I have so-far hired professionals to fix the sink drain, the sink supply lines, and *some* of the electrical issues - more issues still remain. I have currently spent $4212 to correct problems with the work that was done. I also expect to spend at least another $2000 to correct the other electrical issues throughout the basement.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/10/2025

  A thousand apologies for the inconvenience, ****. We place a great deal of trust in the tradespeople we hire. While some of the individuals performing work on our projects are journeymen, each operates under the supervision of a licensed master in their respective trades, such as electrical, HVAC, plumbing.
  
  Had we been made aware of these issues at the time they occurred, we would have promptly addressed them through the appropriate channels. That said, we fully stand behind our warranty and are committed to resolving this matter to your satisfaction. Its our goal to make things right and to regain your trust and business.
  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/10/2025

   
  Complaint: 23184188
  
  I am rejecting this response because: The business did not agree to refund to me the requested amount of $6212.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** *****

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/04/2025

  My sincerest apologies for the inconvenience, ****. Had I been made aware of the freezing pipes, we couldve addressed it immediately at no cost to you. 
  
  Regarding the ptrap- before we leave any project, we always fill sinks, showers, and tubs with water to ensure proper drainage. Everything was functioning correctly at completion. 
  
  As for the electrical- we didnt install any metal j boxes in your basement for the LED lights. The lights we installed were canless recessed lights that dont require j boxes. 
  And just to clarify- we also didnt install any low-voltage electrical boxes in your basement. Low-voltage boxes are orange or sometimes gray, while standard electrical boxes (which we used) are blue. If youd like me to provide you with pictures of what we installed I do have photos of all the rough-in work. 
  
  Any concerns or revisions to the scope of work during your project were addressed promptly and without hesitation. We were happy to offer you a discount for missing our deadline, and we also completed a few additional items at no charge. At no point did I give the impression that we wouldnt take care of any issues that arose. Its unfortunate that you didnt reach out to me regarding the plumbing issues, as we would have resolved them immediately.
  
  Youre requesting a refund of $6,212, but the invoices you provided total $4,212. While your project included a two-year warranty, Im still willing to offer a partial refund. I can reimburse you for the electrical work you hired another company to complete as a gesture of goodwill. However, since you chose not to contact us or utilize the warranty, that will be the extent of the compensation I can offer.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/08/2025

   
  Complaint: 23184188
  
  I am rejecting this response because: The business is not agreeing to refund me for damages I have incurred due to their negligence. I am/was not willing to allow the business to correct their work because 1) the plumbing issue was an emergency and I needed to act quickly, and; 2) I have no confidence in their ability to do it correctly, considering the gross incompetence they have demonstrated. It is a more-than-fair solution to refund to me the amount requested, but the business continually rejects that.

  I thought I was being nice by utilizing the BBB to come to a solution and potentially arbitrate. Had I taken this case to county court and filed a complaint with *****************, the business would certainly be punished much more severely. It seems, however, that Tabula Rasa still intends to obstinately reject my proposal.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/01/2024

  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.

  Tabula Rasa Design is a SCAM . ******* ******** (the owner) is a fraud . SHE is a SCAMMER and a FRAUD who STOLE from me . She own me $6,400. I had hired end of last year 2023 and FIRED her beginning of 2024 because of her lack of integrity and the worst work ethic.I DO-NOT recommend hiring this scammer. She is not worth it . She will literally steal from you . I DO NOT RECOMMEND HER OR ANY OF HER BUSINESS.SHE IS A SCAMMER!!!!!!!!

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/02/2024

  Interesting collection of texts you chose to upload, Phoenix. Every ***** you gave us went towards your materials and labor on your home. I have all the receipts and invoices from subcontractors to prove it. I do my best to work with the various personalities I encounter with customers and their special circumstances, be it, low budget, time line, multiple contractors involved, sick family members, funding issues etc. Despite all of the red flags I noticed when we met like, having fired contractors before me and keeping their tools, constantly asking for free work and arguing about our prices, I still took your job because I liked you, Phoenix. I let you borrow my tools while I was working and entertained your constant distractions because you wanted to chat. Your change orders resulted in the delays on your project not to mention, the holidays and weather. I gladly took your late night phone calls multiple times during the weeks and allowed you to talk me into doing favors around your house outside of the scope of work. We were more than patient and generous with you while you spoke to us inappropriately and vulgarly. We worked with your budget, we worked during holidays and dealt with your freezing house while your heat was broken. Do I wish this couldve worked out differently? Of course. I was willing to come back and finish your project until the very end even after you mailed a demand letter from your attorney friend. Its clear to me now why you were so reluctant to go under contract. This situation is precisely why contractors have them. It clearly states in our agreement Deposits for tradespeople (e.g. framer, plumber, electrician, HVAC, etc.) are non-refundable. All custom items, (e.g. cabinetry, tile etc.), furnishings (e.g. built-in furniture) or finishes (e.g. custom light fixture, countertops), are non-refundable. And yet I still let you scare me into issuing you a partial refund with your friends intimidation tactics. It pains me to fight with ANYONE especially a customer. We both lost here, but I appreciate every situation and the lessons they teach me. 
  I do not wish to retain you as a customer or entertain any resolution even knowing itll be damaging to my reputation. Good luck to you, **** I wish you a happy and healthy life. I appreciate your business and the opportunity to have worked on your project. 
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/13/2024

   
  Complaint: 22075489
  
  I am rejecting this response because: she still own me $6400.00 and I want my money back . This business owner is a ******* . She still have not paid the partial refund without giving time . And I have also provided to her way way way more than enough time (6 months to be extract) but i Still have not  received anything update so where we are !!!! 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  Phoenix ******

  

  Business Response

  Date: 09/27/2024

  Phoenix, I'm more than happy to discuss this further in private, but there's just too much that went on during your project to re-hash publicly. My apologies, but this is the last response you will receive from me on any public platform.  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/27/2024

   
  Complaint: 22075489
  
  I am rejecting this response because: you have previously on multiple occasions broken our agreements/contract . I have on multiple occasions have found myself falling for your nonsense and scamming. You have not honored your own contract and the agreement that you propose (which I had previously agreed to) . I refuse to fall for your lies and scamming again. I own me money back per our agreement that you proposed because you did want to get sued for stealing from me. I paid you to do a service for me and halfway though the project ,once you were prepaid you started slaking which is why I fired you . AS SOON AS YOU WERE PREPAID you took that money and stopped showing up without informing me on multiple occasions. Its simply to me that you and you have done this before. You are a scammer. You scammed me and I am just trying to get my refund back that it . 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Phoenix ******

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/30/2024

  Phoenix if these claims youre making were true I wouldnt stay as busy as I continue to be. 
  The only official agreement thats been broken is the contract we had to renovate your home. Its the only agreement you completely dismiss, but its the only contract that would hold up legally. I understand how overwhelming it can be as a first time home owner to decide to take on a major renovation. Especially having been through previous contractors as yourself who didnt live up to your expectations. This is why I made myself available to you after hours and through the holidays. 
  To say I slacked on your project is false. I took nermourous late phone calls to discuss your change orders, budget, design & sometimes just to chat. It clearly states my hours of operation in my contract & that a fee for corresponding outside of those hours would be applied to your invoice. Looking back at our conversations I see that when I put your project on hold while you decided on a design feature is when you felt like we were slacking. You knew from the beginning that I had other projects going on. I made sure I was upfront about that & you agreed to move forward. It obviously made sense to work on those projects while there were delays on your renovation. ESPECIALLY if you were trying to decide on a design feature. 
  Also, the only prepayment we took was a deposit for materials and then a progress payment halfway through the project. I understand that renovations are a lot of money but your house required a lot of work. Everything in there was original & the work that had been previously done was obviously done by a home owner or unskilled person. What happened here was the funds you gave us were wholly spent on your materials & labor. Every *****. I initially agreed to a refund to salvage our relationship, but after seeking legal advice & going through my records I found that there isnt a refund to be given. What Ive already sent you is the complete refund youll be getting.
  

  
  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/30/2024

  Phoenix if these claims youre making were true I wouldnt stay as busy as I continue to be. 
  The only official agreement thats been broken is the contract we had to renovate your home. Its the only agreement you completely dismiss, but its the only contract that would hold up legally. I understand how overwhelming it can be as a first time home owner to decide to take on a major renovation. Especially having been through previous contractors as yourself who didnt live up to your expectations. This is why I made myself available to you after hours and through the holidays. 
  To say I slacked on your project is false. I took nermourous late phone calls to discuss your change orders, budget, design & sometimes just to chat. It clearly states my hours of operation in my contract & that a fee for corresponding outside of those hours would be applied to your invoice. Looking back at our conversations I see that when I put your project on hold while you decided on a design feature is when you felt like we were slacking. You knew from the beginning that I had other projects going on. I made sure I was upfront about that & you agreed to move forward. It obviously made sense to work on those projects while there were delays on your renovation. ESPECIALLY if you were trying to decide on a design feature. 
  Also, the only prepayment we took was a deposit for materials and then a progress payment halfway through the project. I understand that renovations are a lot of money but your house required a lot of work. Everything in there was original & the work that had been previously done was obviously done by a home owner or unskilled person. What happened here was the funds you gave us were wholly spent on your materials & labor. Every *****. I initially agreed to a refund to salvage our relationship, but after seeking legal advice & going through my records I found that there isnt a refund to be given. What Ive already sent you is the complete refund youll be getting.
  

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/04/2024

   
  Complaint: 22075489
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Phoenix ******