Complaints

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• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/28/2025

  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.

  We hired Michael ***** to create a walkway of pavers and gravel in our yard. It was in a place where the ground was washed away, exposing or partly exposing plastic water pipes and a couple of insulated wires, and some roots (about 1/2" in diameter). We told him we wanted the roots cut back so we wouldn't trip over them, and the pipes and lines safely buried so they wouldn't be broken by being walked on.
  Mr. ***** began work around 9:30-10am on 2/18/25 and around 11:30, after we heard him pounding on something for a while, he broke one of the pipes, a water supply line to the house. We showed him how to turn off the water, and suggested we call a plumber to fix it. He said he could fix it in about half an hour, so we left him to it. He could not fix it, and though he tinkered with it unsuccessfully all afternoon, he didn't want us to call a plumber. We finally called P J Plumbing, who fixed the pipe. They spent two house on the job and we paid them $325.
  Mr. ***** returned around 10am on 2/20 and finished the path by 4pm. He billed us for 11 hours labor at $50/hour, plus materials, which included $36 for plumbing fixtures. We paid him the full amount, even though we contested the charge, because he was very argumentative and, frankly, he intimidated us. (He's very large, had already bragged to us about his strength, and we're elderly and not large at all)
  Since he broke the pipe and was unable to fix it, we should only have to pay him for the hours actually spent on the job (8 total) and not for plumbing fixtures. We want him to refund us either 3 hours labor and fixtures, or the amount we paid the actual plumber who fixed the pipe he broke.
  We also ask him to not harass us in any way about this complaint.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/01/2025

  Mrs.  Rebecca  contacted me January 29, 2025 a week or so after I had done a pressure washing job for her . She asked if I do any landscaping type work on the side . I informed her that it’s not my job description but I can help in that area ..  She stated she had a problem area on the back side of her house that washes away and has plumbing pipes that need to be buried as well as 2x6 framing above sprinkler plumbing .  We agreed for a day for me to come over . A day or so later I stopped by to look at the job . I removed the 2x6 Framing that was housed in ground around the sprinkler system . I proceeded to dig out the dirt by hand and noticed after further digging and inspection that there were many pipes below like a maze . I asked Rebecca were these the sprinkler plumbing pipes that's not in use or main house pipes . She stated that she didn't know but told me the plumber was just out there a day ago because a pipe burst about 10 ft away from where I was just digging in the stated problem area she referred to in the beginning. After inspecting the area and getting measurements, I was skeptical about the job not sure if the plumbing was a main pipe or not. She reassured me and said not to worry, that she wanted it done as soon as possible. She hired me for the job. I gave her a material list from Lowe’s for the supplies needed to do the job . I bought the materials myself, went to Lowe’s loaded all material and also delivered to her house. I proceeded to start the graving and root removal process. After grading the majority of half the area I ran across big roots and stumps . Most of the roots were above ground  as I'm approaching my last root I get it cut out and as I tugged it to pull it out water came rushing up like a volcano . After I got them to get me the water main tool I shut off the main water and dug up and sucked out the water and dirt.  Upon inspection of the damaged pipe, it was obvious that the root I had pulled had grown into the pipe. The plumping was old, thin and brittle.  I have photos of all the plumbing. The job has now came to a halt.  I had called 2 plumbers out whom I know to come out and both plumbers stated they have never seen plumbing like it before, they couldn't tell the main plumbing from the sprinkler plumbing because everything was snaked together. So after hours of us trying to fix the pipe and buying supplies to do so, Rebecca called her plumber to come by. He stated to me and the other plumber I had come out that he had been over there 2 or 3 times already for the same issue . After her plumber capped the pipe off which only took about 20 min . I told him about the job that I would be doing there in the same area . He advised me that it would be risky because of the bad piping . So , I let Rebecca know what he said and I also stated that I don't feel safe moving forward with the job until she gets the plumber to reroute the pipes . I told her it would be a liability. The plumber agreed as well . We agreed to me coming back at a later time to do the job after the plumbing is fixed .  The next day or so I get a text from Rebecca stating that the plumber was too high and she don't have the money to have the plumbing rerouted and said she wanted me to move forward with the job even though there could be another issue there ... I told her fine and that I won't be accountable!!  She said not to cut anymore roots and just smooth it out . I got the job done sent pictures she was happy they came out and walked up and down on the walkway I had completed. They were happy with the work . I advised them I would get the final invoice to them that evening with materials and labor. Once receiving my invoice she proceeded to tell me my labor cost were exorbitant!!! I sent her a screen shot of the average pricing for the work I had done. Which was way more then what the invoice was I gave her.  She began to tell me that she's not going to pay what was in the invoice and started to play the blaming game about the broken pipe and etc. I told her that I done the job and that I need to get paid . I also stated that I had to pay the plumbers I had that came out as well . She insisted on threatening me telling me she's going to do a review and take me to court . I told her that's fine I can do reviews as well and if she wants to go to court we can. She said it wasn’t worth her time. End of story Rebecca messaged back after all the back and forth stating that she will put a check in the mail. . About a 5 days later I received the check in my mail. Have heard nothing from her since. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/01/2025

  
  
  Complaint: 22999305
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  See attached.  The business' response contains some truth, but much more of it is untrue.

  I also wish to reiterate that we don't appreciate his contacting us directly and harassing us.
  
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  Rebecca *******