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:08/15/2023

  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.

  I provided NJH Hardscapes LLC with a deposit to complete my project in the two week window identify by Manager *****. ***** could not meet the two weeks and we negotiated on a 3rd week- he made excuses and did not meet the third week schedule. I requested proof of insurance and a new tentative schedule- requests were viewed and ignored. never provided proof of insurance and will not refund my deposit which held the scheduled time for site work. He said he spent it- but I have never had any materials delivered nor did I take delivery of any materials from NJH Hardscapes LLC. I demanded a full $1000.00 refund in ***** * friend to friend* which means no taxes or fees deducted returned the same way I paid. ***** had wrongful deception intended to result in financial and personal gain. his company looked well put together on ******** and very responsive until he received the deposit. I cancelled the project due to to many red flags- I need to protect my property and self from a corrupt company.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/15/2023

  I advised *** that the job would start in 2-3 weeks (check message string that he attached) not 2 weeks.  3 weeks approached so we figured out a time to get started.  He then kept insisting that we pour concrete to his specs because that’s what the city of Washington called for.  I called the Washington city hall and asked about concrete specs.  They sent me the specs (attached).  They are not even close to what he is talking about.  He claims to be a concrete expert and has a vast knowledge and experience with pouring concrete.  Which leads me to the question of why would he need to hire me if he knows more than me?  He then insisted that he work alongside my crew to complete the task and also told me how long the retaining wall should take.  It’s almost as if he is running my company, not me.  I was hired to do a job, so let ME and my crew handle it.  You can see all of this is in the ******** messenger chat between us that he has included.  Then one day before we were going to start, he suddenly asks for insurance paperwork.  Why didn’t he ask for it way before the day before work begins?  I sent him an accord which was blank and I didn’t realize it.  It was just a piece of paperwork that was included in my papers when I signed up with the company.  I called and requested my accord be sent to him.  He says he hasn’t received it.  My insurance is telling me they sent it.  Then he cancels the job.  If *** would have just sat back and let us handle the job, like I was hired to do, we would be done by now.  But he made everything difficult.  I have time and money in fuel wrapped up in this.  I don’t believe I should have to refund everything just because he wanted to work with my guys to get it done.  Seems crazy to me.  I have emails from the city of Washington I’d be happy to forward to whoever as well.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/15/2023

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  
  He offered FREE inspection and estimates as indicated by his advertisements on ********.  The fuel and time looking at the project Is part of doing business.  I do have far more experience as I was BBB accredited for ***** *********** ************ *** ** ** ******** **** and an ACI flatwork technician *educated*. His string does not have any wording of 2-3 weeks in a time frame *you have the entire string of conversation*  contract was accepted under the parameters of a 2 week completion as he had an opening.  The concrete to be placed is on my property and NJH Hardscape LLC has NEVER asked what do I want place-  The specifications for the concrete I requested were denied because they were not the way NJH wanted to place it.  The concrete should be placed to the specifications of the customer *I am paying the bill*.  NJH Hardscape LLC should and needs to refund the entire deposit -  they were fired due to no insurance, could not meet a 2 week, 3 week, or 4 week schedule, was not going to meet customer expectations for the concrete placement and provide minimum structural concrete, his business communication and structure has growing pains with the state of IL.  The project was accepted since the completion price was less then I could have done it *very cost effective* but turns out the final project would have not been to the quality I wanted after NJH Hardscape LLC rejecting my project needs and not providing what I wanted.  

   

  The deposit amount was to hold a scheduled date-  the project was not started, performed, or completed.  No materials were delivered on site and homeowner never took delivery of any construction materials at residence.  NJH Hardscape needs to refund the entire amount of deposit of $1000.00.   This was not a to be paid estimate or site inspection and was not advised to be one before, during, or after he was fired.

  The money was taken to pay his bills and live off of to fiance his company and now it's not available since he spent it on the equipment and several houses he owns *stretched thin*

   

  Business Response

  Date: 08/16/2023

  In these screenshots I’ve attached, he claims he needs it done a certain way per city code.  City code is in the specs I provided earlier.  Not the way he “wants” it done.  Also, he’s now stating that he is paying for the services, but in another screenshot I’ve attached, he’s stating that the city is reimbursing him.  Which means he is not paying for it.  The city is.  And in a 3rd screenshot, it shows him trying to tell me how long a retaining wall build should take.  I don’t think he’s qualified or at the liberty to decide how long that retaining wall should take my company.  In addition, I did not spend that money to pay bills or whatever he is stating.  He has no idea how my business operates so I don’t understand how he thinks those acclamations are valid.  That’s just his opinion.  Bottom line, he gave me a done payment for a job that he thought he was going to manage, instead of letting the owner of the business manage.  He lied about who’s paying for it.  He also lied about what the city code is.  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/16/2023

   I am rejecting this response because:
  

  The response that is necessary is the refund of original deposit amount of $1000.00.   No site work was performed nor any materials delivered or used on site.  NJH Hardscapes LLC was fired and services were not wanted.  Site work expectations were not going to meet the homeowners expectations so contract was canceled in full before site work began or materials were delivered to the residence.   

  Standard construction documents provided by the City of Washington to Mr. ***** only show a typical standard of construction or bare minimum if site conditions are PERFECT- this does not display the maximum preparation required for my specific site project.  Construction document notes specify for the builder to understand state and local code in conjunction with the documents.  This is only a stencil to the many additional steps required for a lasting repair.  

  - what grade of steel reinforcement is required?  And at what extent is steel placement required? 

  - what is the concrete mix design required?

  - how does the concrete need to be cured?

  - Why did my concrete fail?  Minimum typical standards from the City of Washington failed- the reason to replace. 

  - how did NJH Hardscape LLC plan on proof rolling the subbase?  What would then be required if the subbase failed?

  Mr. ***** wanted to do the bare minimum to get the project completed and ignore the homeowner requests.   I requested the concrete placement a certain way to not re-place the following year.  Mr. ***** vollenteered several times to offer 100% FREE Labor to perform the concrete placement for Mr. ***** and still provide the full project payment cost of $2200.00 -  each time respectively declined by Mr. *****.  Homeowner already purchased the curing compound, tear away expansion, chemical anchors, and has all the equipment also available to perform the site work from trucks, trailers, saws, concrete finishing tools, grade lasers, etc- all a huge savings to Mr. ***** to maximize profit- all respectively declined by Mr. *****.

  NJH Hardscapes LLC provided a free estimate and no other services provided.  The deposit needs to be refunded in full with no more excuses.  The deposit was for site work of  concrete replacement and a small dry stack block wall-  NO site work performed and no materials delivered.  Mr. *****s time was of a free estimate- the cost of earning business is a free estimate which includes your time and fuel for each inspection/estimate.  

  NJH Hardscapes LLC is holding $1000.00 for no reason that is apparent.  Services were not performed- the deposit needs refunded in full as it was sent per ***** *friend to friend no fees or taxes removed*.  

   

   

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/09/2023

  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.

  see Attached document

  My insurance company contacted me in January 2023 because I switch insurance companies. An investigator suggest to my agent **** "they should secure all of the landscaping rocks that are not secure as this is a liability hazard"

  I was going and trying very hard to do it myself but I am 64 years old and too much work for me to do.

  I hired ****. ****'s crew worked two days about 6 hrs each. They did not finish job in full.

  All documents enclosed in full emails and texy messages. 

  Business Response

  Date: 08/08/2023

  BBB spoke with the business over the phone on 8/8/2023 about this complaint.  Business stated he has been in communication with the consumer about the delays( weather related).  The business stated he received a an email from the consumer on Aug 4 in response to his vm to the consumer.  The consumers email indicated he had spoken with a friend about the cost of the project and suddenly believed he was overcharged and only wanted a refund. The business stated the consumer agreed to the job and price and has been happy with the work thus far and he wants to finish the job.  He said he could be there Monday Aug 14 to finish the work- the patio blocks under the deck and removing the remaining dirt and rock away from the job site. 

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/08/2023

  BBB spoke with the consumer on 8/8/23 and stated the company was willing to come out on aug 14 to finish the job.  Consumer agreed

  Business Response

  Date: 08/14/2023

  BBB spoke with the business owner at 12:10pm today. He stated he could not do the work today due to the rain. He plans to have it completed by Friday August 18th. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/15/2023

      I filed a police report with the Peoria Police Department today and explained to them why I no longer what to do business with **** *****. I turned the entire documents over to the PPD and talked with them and told them two other business

  had bad dealing with the same person and have the right to legal action. I will also file a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General Office and speak to a civil attorney. They understand and agree completely why I want an itemized bill has refused to hand over. 

      The police said I have the right not to allow him on my property, so I do NOT want **** ***** on my property. I want my money back and he can keep it $1100 cut I mentioned at first. He owes me $3550. 

   

            Thank you very much BBB,

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

                              
  

   

  Business Response

  Date: 08/16/2023

  BBB spoke with owner, ****, via phone today. He said he would be at this customer's house this Friday morning Aug 18, to finish the job. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/18/2023

  Mr. ***** came into the BBB office today at 9:30 and showed a phone text from the business stating, "Hey man I'm home with a sick kid today." Mr. ***** was expecting the business to come finish the job per the business's previous response to the BBB. The business did not offer a future time to come and finish the job after numerous cancellation.

   

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

  Business Response

  Date: 08/23/2023

  Business owner contacted BBB and stated he communicated with the customer about having a sick child and unable to do the work on Friday August 18 or Monday Aug 21, but offered to be at the home the morning of Tuesday Aug 22 but the consumer declined- stating the issue was now in a legal process and stated the company is not allowed to return to his property to finsh the job.  Business owner submitted a copy of a text thread (attached)

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/02/2023

     Hello,

        l read what you sent. Documents were sent in Sunday late evening August 20th, 2023. **** sent that message Monday August 21, 2023 at 7:31am. I could not retract my complaint. I know what the BBB is doing.