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:11/21/2023

  Type:Billing 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.

  Paid $9250.00 on April 18, 2022 for 10 x 20 sloped roof carport.
  I asked for a 9 foot opening for my truck, received 8 foot opening.
  Placed 6 4 x 4 post and I am not able to get out of the vehicle, middle posts block your ability to open the car door.
  All 6 post have cracked from bottom to the top of the post with opening I can put my finger in.
  3 sides of the 4 sides of the post are cracked.
  Used wrong materials for the roof structure, used floor boards to put the roof on top of.
  Post are all splitting and separating from the roof structure and from the post.
  The braces used for the roof on the posts are separated from post and roof structure.
  Carport is not finished no ceiling under the structure
  The poor workmanship and the lack of ability to design a carport.
  Not usable space opening between the 6 post, so narrow it is hard to get a vehicle under the carport, and then you cannot get out of the vehicle because of the middle posts.
  asked for 9 foot opening and the company made the outer side of the post 9 foot not the opening
  No inside roof on the carport, unfinished job
  Middle post block your ability to get out of the vehicle
  Used wrong materials to build the carport.
  Carport is poorly designed
  Carport is poorly made
  Carport is not usable
  Carport looks like the neighbor kid built the carport
  I had a contractor come over a figure out how it can be fixed and S& K construction will not respond to me.
  Please help me with this concern.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/01/2023

  This project was designed by the homeowner, and completed in the Spring of 2022.  The homeowner picked out the materials to be used because they fit her price point.  We did not recommend treated lumber posts, however, the homeowner insisted that they be used.  The job was completed timely, with the materials chosen by the homeowner, and it was inspected by the homeowner before final payment was made to us.  Sixteen (16) months later, the homeowner reached out to us with the complaints.  Our owner personally went to her house to meet with her and discuss her options.  The homeowner acknowledged that her original design was completed as requested, but now she realized that she should have constructed it the way we recommended before the project.  She asked us to cover all of the costs.  We offered to make the alterations she requested at a reduced rate to satisfy her, however, she wants a complete rebuild at no cost to her.  As a company providing quality services for a reasonable price we would be forced to close our doors if we accommodated these type of demands.  We tried to work with her.  We attempted to educated her before the project.  She disregarded our advice as to the design and materials.  She was satisfied with the work and signed off on final payment.  We did not learn of her complaints until sixteen (16) months later.  We attempted to work with her for a resolution even after her long delay of notifying us of ANY complaints.  She
  again declined all of our attempts to negotiate or resolve, and instead repeatedly
  threatened to make this complaint if we did not meet all of her demands.  Thank you for providing us a forum to respond.  Much appreciated.  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/14/2023

  In response to ***** ******* complaint filed with the BBB, please note the following:

  1. The date of first contact was December 15, 2021

  1. An estimate was given to ***** using treated lumber and stating the size of the carport (I can provide the estimate and working file)

  2. A contract was signed between the homeowner and the contractor and the homeowner made an initial deposit on January 29, 2022 of $2315.85 (I can provide a copy of the contract. In the contract the limited warranty reads as follows: 

  "12. Limited Warranties
  Contractor will complete the
  specified work in a substantial and workmanlike manner according to standard
  practices prevalent in Contractor’s trade. Contractor warrants that the labor
  and materials provided as part of the specified work will be free from defects
  for Six (6) months from the date of completion. Contractor is not responsible
  for normal wear and tear, weather related issues, or work that is left
  untreated)"

  3. We applied for the Permit with a drawing of the carport (I can provide a copy of the permit)

  4. The carport was built to the specifications of the estimate, contract, and permit and final payment was made on April 18, 2022 in the sum of $6610.10

  5. We applied for a final inspection and passed (I can provide a copy of the final inspection)

  6. We applied for an OP Certificate of Occupancy and received it

  7. We did not hear from ***** until August 16, 2023 (I can provide a copy of the original complaint to us)

  8. After the original complaint a string of emails went back and forth between the homeowner and me (***** did meet her at her home to look over the carport with her. We responded back to her in the email string, which I have attached to this response)

  9. The email string was then forwarded to our Attorney, ****** ******, and he wrote the following letter to ***** (and also spoke to ***** in a lengthy conversation on the phone with her),

  "September 6, 2023
  
  Ms. ***** *****
  **** ****** ****
  ******** ***** ** *****
  
                  Re:         S & K Reece Construction, LLC
                                  Contract for Services – Carport
  
  Dear Ms. *****:
                  Our office represents S & K Reece Construction, LLC (hereinafter S & K) concerning your allegations that it breached the Contract for Services signed by you on February 15, 2022.  It is my understanding that you reached out to S & K in August 2023 to raise complaints about the carport that was built under the Contract for Services.  Mr. ***** ***** of S & K responded to your complaints by meeting with you at the carport construction site at your home located at **** ****** ***** ******** ***** ******. 
  Your chief complaints are that there are cracks in the treated lumber posts used on the carport and that the carport is not of sufficient width.  I have reviewed the photographs supplied in your initial complaint.  The checking on the treated lumber posts appears to be normal, or as expected, over one year after being installed.  Treated lumber shrinks after being exposed to normal atmospheric heat.  A simple google search of “treated lumber checking” should assuage any concerns you have about these posts.  In short, treated lumber reveals cracks as it dries from exposure to outdoor conditions.  You chose treated lumber posts because of their price point.  There were other options available at the time of construction.  You chose, and paid for, treated lumber posts.  There is nothing structurally unsound about their current condition.   Furthermore, if there was any merit to your claim about them being structurally unsound, which I hereby again disclaim, your claim is governed by the limited warranties found in paragraph 12 of the Contract for Services and would have to be made within the first 6 months after the date of completion. 
  As to your second complaint, the width of your carport, it is my understanding that the reason that S & K is just now hearing of this complaint is because you purchased a different vehicle than the one you parked under the carport when it was completed almost 18 months ago.  While it is unfortunate that you may be experiencing unforeseen difficulties with using the carport in your new vehicle, it is not S & K’s responsibility.  Simply put, S & K built you the carport you contracted for.  You signed the lien waiver and have not complained of the width of the carport until now.  Under paragraph 8 of the Contract for Services agreement, you as the Homeowner acknowledged approval and signed a lien waiver upon completion of the work when full and final payment was delivered to S & K.
                  It is my understanding that you have made repeated threats to S & K that you will make defamatory remarks concerning the work performed under the Contract for Services.  Please be advised that in the State of Kansas defamatory remarks against an individual or company can be actionable both criminally and civilly.  The tort of defamation includes both libel and slander.  Any false or defamatory words communicated to any third party which result in harm to the reputation of the defamed is actionable.  This means if you communicate any defamatory remarks concerning S & K Reese Construction, LLC and they believe their reputation is tarnished in any way, you are exposing yourself to both civil and criminal penalties.  My job is to make sure you understand these facts in no uncertain terms.  If S & K learns of any remarks you make concerning this matter in the future, this letter will serve as your notice that they intend to pursue claims against you.  It is not my job to explain the contract to you any further.  There are competent attorneys you can reach out to in the community that can explain your rights or lack thereof.  I will not negotiate on behalf of S & K Reece Construction, LLC to make modifications to your carport.  I am writing to you to let you know that any future remarks on your behalf against S & K Reese Construction, LLC will be vigorously pursued.
  
                                                                                                  Sincerely,
  
  
                                                                                                  ******* ** ******
  
  cc:           S & K Reese Construction, LLC
  
  
  ******* ** ******
  ****** ******* ****** ****** ***** **
  **** ***** **** ***** ***** ***
  ******** ** *****
  ************
  ************ ***
  ************ ****
  ************************

  10. On October 27, 2023 I received another email from *****, which I forwarded to my attorney (I can provide a copy of the email). 

  11. At the end of November I received the letter from the BBB regarding ******* complaint that was filed on November 20, 2023. 

  I do not feel further action on our part is warranted.

  Thank you - 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/20/2023

  I am writing to bring to your attention an urgent matter concerning the substandard and misleading practices employed by S&K Reese Construction. As a homeowner seeking to support local businesses, I entrusted S&K Reese Construction with the task of building a carport for my vehicles, only to be met with a series of distressing issues and blatant disregard for quality and integrity.
  
  Despite my lack of construction expertise, I expected a standard of professionalism and quality from ******, the representative of S&K Reese Construction. However, from the onset, there was a glaring absence of communication regarding the specifications, design, or materials proposed for the construction. Instead of direct engagement, all communication had to filter through ********, the wife of *****, the company's owner.
  
  Upon completion of the project, it became alarmingly evident that corners had been cut, and the construction lacked fundamental quality. The materials used were of inferior quality, leading to a carport that not only fails in its functionality but also poses significant safety concerns.
  
  Allow me to highlight some of the critical issues:
  
  Structural Inadequacy: The carport, designed with six posts, renders it practically unusable as the posts obstruct the opening of car doors, defeating the purpose entirely.
  
  Misleading Specifications: The entryway was intended to be 9 feet wide, but it was erroneously constructed at 8 feet, causing vehicles to barely fit through, risking damage to mirrors.
  
  Substandard Roof Construction: The roof was built using interior wood instead of the specified exterior-treated wood, leading to rapid deterioration and compromising the carport's durability.
  
  Incomplete Work: The roof lacks completion, with exposed boards and an absent ceiling, further exacerbating structural issues and compromising its usability and safety.
  
  Poor Craftsmanship: The use of interior wood has caused significant popping and separation from the posts, and the brackets connecting the structure to the roof are visibly deteriorating.
  
  Despite my attempts to address these concerns with S&K Reese Construction, they have blatantly refused to acknowledge or discuss the alarming discrepancies and structural issues. Furthermore, upon consulting another contractor, it was revealed that the quality of work delivered by S&K Reese Construction is shockingly disproportionate to the exorbitant price charged for the carport.
  
  It is evident that S&K Reese Construction operates with a blatant disregard for delivering satisfactory workmanship and customer satisfaction. Their exploitative practices have resulted in a structurally compromised and unsafe carport, leaving me in a distressing situation as an inexperienced homeowner taken advantage of by unethical contractors.
  
  I implore your immediate attention and assistance in rectifying this matter, as it not only impacts my safety and investment but also highlights the urgency of addressing exploitative practices within the construction industry.