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:11/14/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnresolvedMore 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.

  Entered contract 8/11/2023 for remodeling of total home for 120k, with add on contract 9/17/2023 for additional 10, in total i paid 110k, work was done with unskilled labor and incorrectly ( out of square, supports not properly secured, flooring smashed into place, no backing on studs for cabinets, and in general incompetence and jobs partly done tools all over the place) when i critiqued, relationship soured. Permits had to be repulled as incorrect number of water fittings were on first version and incorrect gas details, as well as no hvac permit, and no support info on first version of general permit, in general, contractor was unfamiliar with permit process, (i helped him recover his password and draft response for info) many delays became commonplace, tradesmen complained about supplies not being ordered correctly, and not being paid, we were past the end date on the contract when contractor said he ran out of money, could only pay one worker per day without personally overseeing job, said he took a job somewhere else as *******, i asked him to leave and sign that he'll return 50k, which we had notarized, never received any payments, but is untouchable currently due to bankruptcy proceedings underway.We tried finishing job but everyone who looked at it said it was all wrong everywhere, had to do over electrical, plumbing hvac, flooring eventually we got few companies to do the job, ***** to prime, ***** to winner insulation, 9400 for hvac 3500 for plumbing

  Business Response

  Date: 01/10/2025

  I have reviewed the allegations stated in the complaint and would like to address each concern in detail to clarify the facts and provide context for the issues raised.

  
  Worker Qualifications and Oversight:
  It is accurate that the project involved workers across various trades, including electricians and plumbers. Unfortunately, the electrician originally assigned to the project experienced health issues that impacted his availability. I took immediate action to replace him with another licensed professional to continue the work.

  The claim that the plumber was unlicensed is inaccurate. While challenges arose due to design complexities, all tradesmen involved had the appropriate credentials for their respective roles.

  Structural Work and Material Concerns:
  Regarding the structural components, including headers and supports, I acknowledge there were initial concerns about their installation. However, adjustments were made to meet the necessary standards. The comment about a worker using a 4x4 with a gap was addressed during the construction process.

  
  Material acquisition was discussed transparently with the client. Due to specific preferences and budget constraints, some materials were requested to be purchased directly by the client, with costs deducted from the total budget as agreed.

  
  Permit and Progress Delays:
  Initially, the client insisted on beginning the project without obtaining permits, which later caused delays when inspectors required compliance. Once permits were necessary, I took immediate action to secure them, including recovering access to my Baltimore City account with the clients assistance.
  Progress slowed during this permitting process, but claims that "large parts of the job could have been done" are inaccurate. Many tasks were interconnected with the permit approvals and could not proceed until compliance was ensured.

  
  Work Quality and Completion:
  While the client has raised concerns about the quality of work, including flooring, door installation, and structural elements, many of these issues stemmed from following plans provided by an interior designer rather than a licensed architect. These plans lacked structural details, leading to additional adjustments to meet standards.
  I made every effort to address issues as they arose, including replacing workers or materials when necessary. The client's involvement in decision-making, including specific requests and changes, often impacted timelines and outcomes.

  
  Project Termination and Financial Aspects:
  The contract terms and payment schedule were adhered to throughout the project. At the time the client chose to terminate my services, $110,000 of the total $130,000 contracted amount had been paid. Significant progress had been made, including securing necessary permits, framing, and initial electrical and plumbing work.
  Upon termination, I promptly removed all tools and materials from the site to facilitate the transition to a new contractor.

  
  Resolution and Mediation:
  I regret that the client feels dissatisfied with the outcome of the project. However, I maintain that my team and I acted professionally and responsibly under challenging circumstances, including permit delays and plan inconsistencies.

  
  I am open to formal mediation to resolve any outstanding concerns constructively and to ensure a fair outcome for all parties.

  
  Thank you for considering this response. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/10/2025

   
  Complaint: 22555426
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  

  
  Shuchatowitz Family
  Attachments
  9:49 AM (43 minutes ago)
  to me, ******** ******* tenaeaa.******, *****
  
  I appreciate the service from all. Maryland state needs to protect the citizens while allowing the claimant due process. We followed protocol and satisfied the arbitration clause, his claiming it was spammed is in my opinion ridiculous.
  You're asking to reverse track and go back to BBB? I say no.
  Lets call a spade a spade. He has a history with you and he has caused tremendous aggravation and financial loss, why be lenient on him? The mediation is ridiculous as he has a F !!!! from the bbb for failing to follow through with the mediation results, and he signed a notarized note that he owes me 50 thousand dollars, which he conveniently forgot to address in his letter.  I believe it's ridiculous to mediate with him when he hired someone to write up a fancy response that does not reflect reality. ( plumbers and electricians were NOT licensed, gross structural issues I had to notice, point being the guy doing it was a lost soul hired for the day, engineer that he referred to us and we used was a *****, previously fined by mhic for practicing without license, he ended up with one worker on site without management and without supplies, tradesmen said he wouldn't pay them or adequately supply them with materials, so they stopped showing, you get the idea. his fancy letter sponges over the whole story.
  Lets get a hearing before the commission and the guarantee fund and move on with this.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/26/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore 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.

  Hey, my name is Seth ****** and I hired Mr Mark **** to renovate a potential investment property for me March of 2022. Mr. Mark **** is a licensed contractor of Powerkleen Construction Services. Long story short, overtime, his work ethic was poor and questionable. Im filing a complaint to pursue fair treatment and compensation for poor workmanship. I asked him to stop working after project went over his estimated completion numerous times. I had came up with a sum for a refund amount and he agreed to pay it back based on work that was or wasn't completed. I am not knowledgeable of renovation or laws dealing with home improvement and therefore seeking help. I just want to be treated fairly, I held up my end of what I signed on our the contracted we drafted. ( I will attach some documents for transparency ).
  
  I believe my contractor violated his own terms of his cancellation policy. It states money will be refunded in 10 days. March 24, 2023 was the day I told him to stop working via text messages. At first, he seemed like a straight forward contractor. We met at the property about April 2022. He gave me his estimates of parts and labor and therefore drafted the contract for 29,500. I put a deposit down of 10,000 to start work. The remaining 19,500 was to be financed at 1,000 monthly. We had a verbal agreement as though the quicker I could pay if off, the quicker he would finish the project. For the next 5 months, I paid him 2,000 via cash-app. As time went on, seems as the work production got slower and slower. About, September, I had saved up enough money to fully pay him off and did so through Zelle payments. After fully paid, I asked for a completion date and he first said December 8th. Basically as time went on, little work or irrelevant work was being done and he kept pushing the completion date back. I used to check on the property weekly and began asking what was the hold up or why I haven’t seen any significant difference from the previous week? He never once told me early on of issues or concerns that dealing with the property until I lost my patience with him. This is where he showed me he was unprofessional and shady. As of now, the property is still unfinished. I am trying to find a way to PDF our text messages so it will be transparent of everything I’ve said above. Wish for an honest and fair investigation of Mr. Mark **** and to see if there are any red flags.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/29/2023

  To Whom It May Concern: 

  Powerkleen Construction Services received the above-referenced customer complaint and  welcomes the opportunity to respond to allegations leveled by the complainant.  

  Allegation #1:  

  Mr. ****** asserts that Powerkleen Construction Services violated the terms of cancellation policy. However, this allegation is incorrect. The original contract was executed on March 13, 2022. The  cancellation form indicates that “a homeowner may cancel the contract within 5 days (or 7 days  for residents 65 years or older” from the date which the agreement is signed. Mr. ****** sent notice of cancellation more than a year later which was postmarked on April 15, 2023, and received April 19, 2023. As such, Powerkleen Construction Services did not  violate the cancellation policy. The company agreed to issue a refund in the same manner.  which Mr. ****** paid: a series of payments. In fact, Powerkleen had begun making payments as agreed toward this end but ceased upon receipt of this MHIC complaint. 

  Allegation #2:  

  Mr. ****** noted that we had an oral agreement to finance the remaining cost of his balance due  in the amount of $1,000 a month. He typically paid $2,000 a month for this project. However, this  amount did not cover the cost of overhead expenses as originally projected. When asked to cease work, Powerkleen agreed to a refund and requested the opportunity to make payments.  on a weekly basis. 

  Allegation #3:  

  Mr. ****** noted that my work ethic and transparency were cloudy and suspicious. I regret  that this has been his experience with my company. It was my goal to communicate with him  on a regular and consistent basis and to perform his renovations in a professional and timely  manner. 

  I look forward to participating in mediation to resolve this matter.

  If you require additional ****rmation, I can be reached on 240-******** or via email:  ****@powerkleencs.com. 

  Sincerely, 

  Mark A. S***, Owner 

  Powerkleen Construction Services 

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/30/2023

  I am not a lawyer, contractor, nor inspector. After seeking a professional to assess the work done by Mr. Mark S***, much of it will not pass inspection. The amount owed is significantly more and the  manner he attempted to paid back violates his own contract agreements. 
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  **** ******