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:07/01/2024

  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.

  Max Construction was contracted to renovate **** *** ******, a residential and storefront building. He was paid approximately 2.6 million dollars. On 9/6/23, my management company met with Max Construction and opened a work order. This date was during the one year warranty provided in our contract with Max. Work order number *****. The issue was severe condensation lines (in the storefront) leaving ponds of algae in the alleyway. Also severe condensation in basement under unit 1 with lots of water. Have many pictures of the issues if needed. Brandin and Halley from Max met with ********, my management company and acknowledged a serious problem and committed to redoing the lines for storefront, alleyway and basement. After repeated calls to Max, they refused to return and remedy the situation. As of July 1, 2024 , there is severe ponding in basement and alleyway. I have written to Max about this problem and he refuses to respond. He also refuses to disclose the contracter he hired to install the lines and air conditioning units. We need Max Construction to contact ********, **** *********, to schedule a time to resolve the issue. We paid Max millions of dollars and he will not respond to a contracted warranty. Our management company ******** attempted to contact Max several times during 2023 and 2024 with no response.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/12/2024

  The Max Construction Group, LLC (MCG) was originally contracted in Aug '22 to take over the general trades scopes and help with coordination of existing MEP contractors that were being managed by this developer's original GC / CM, who began the project over 1 year prior. 
  
  The **** *** *** project was in poor standing at that time with the bank, city, and state, because of loans backed by Historic Tax Credits being in jeopardy due to poor management. Ultimately, the project had been billed and paid at ~51%, despite being less than 25% complete. The site was the worst I’ve ever seen. Materials scattered everywhere. Zero management on site. Too many framing issues to even fully assess. Virtually no workers on a multi-million-dollar project. Building inspectors were coming down on the work, listing dozens of deficiencies with work that had been done previously and forcing corrections before anything could resume. In short, this project was a mess, and we were being asked to help straighten it up, complete, and salvage the tax credits and relationship with lender in a very limited / unrealistic timeline. But we decided to get involved and help, as we had been recommended by a very well-known developer and the bank.
  
  After less than one month on site correcting the countless deficiencies, the developer and prior GC / CM dissolved their relationship and took legal action against one another. MCG was then asked to take over the roll as GC with the emphatic understanding that completing this project and not losing the tax credits was paramount, as they stood to lose much more money. The main issue with taking over as the GC was with the work that had been installed by the existing subcontractors. The work was not passing inspections and the companies performing the work were way beyond their capabilities. We met with dozens of other subs to have the work supplemented, but no one would assume that any of the existing work in-place was done properly. So, the only way anyone would be willing to do any of these scopes was by removing and replacing existing with their own new work. 
  
  With the budget being tight, the developer did not have the funds available to replace the existing MEP contractors and their work on site. We had to try and make it work with what we inherited. For months we struggled to help these trades complete their scopes so we could complete our own. In fact, the HVAC subcontractor filed an absurd lien because of the prior GC / CM, yet MCG help bond over this lien by paying ½ to keep the project moving! These companies didn’t have lines of credit with material vendors for their scopes. No credit with anyone. Just minority owner / operators who were being manipulated by a greedy underhanded GC / CM and a developer who believed they were getting a market-rate property for much less than anyone else in our market. It backfired and now they don’t want to be held accountable for their own decisions.
  
  Ultimately, MCG finished the nightmare on *** *** over 1 year ago. All work was inspected by local officials and met / exceeded code. The Certificate of Occupancy was granted. The tax credits and tax abatements kicked in. The developer has the building fully rented. Yet now, the developer wants to come back and slap MCG for not doing something that wasn’t in the construction docs, wasn’t a code requirement, had been inspected and approved, and we weren’t paid to do beyond what was provided. Furthermore, they’ve hired a property manager that’s on par with their original GC. We have NEVER received a work order, but we have fixed several items under warranty in the first year (including HVAC). The accusations in this complaint are defamatory and without merit. This is a simple bullying tactic to make a great contractor bend to the will of those who won’t be held accountable for their own decisions and actions that proceeded any involvement with MCG. 
  
  Furthermore, this developer and his property manager have doggedly harassed and slandered myself and my employees via electronic communications and phone for weeks. Despite the explanation of the facts and existing conditions, they’ve continued to spread rewrites of history and should expect legal action if these false claims aren’t removed. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/12/2024

  
  The general contractor will not tell us who installed the air conditioning units at **** ***. We are
  continuing to have issues with them leaking and need to get a hold of the contractor or subcontractor
  that did the work

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/12/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, reasons for rejection are included below.

  
  

  
  

  
  The general contractor will not tell us who installed the air conditioning units at **** ***. We are
  continuing to have issues with them leaking and need to get a hold of the contractor or subcontractor
  that did the work
  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** *******
  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/17/2024

  Attached is the warranty letter. Warranty began April 28, 2023, for a period of one year. Max Construction Group, LLC (MCG) performed several warranty repairs during this time, including replacement of HVAC components that were under factory warranty. 

  The owner / representative is behaving as this isn't a business-to-business transaction, as he has numerous properties under different LLCs. This project is owned by a business, not an individual. Does the BBB usually deal with these scenarios? Because it seems like this is an abuse of the platform.

  When **** *** LLC submitted their prior complaint, we resolved it by performing work that wasn't in the contract or construction docs to appease. The complaint was resolved because we took action. Several months later we're dealing with the same issue. I've had to block this company's members from email and phone calls because of their behavior and unwillingness to be accountable for their own decisions that predate MCG's involvement with this project. They requested the name of the company we retained to finish the work their prior subcontractor failed to complete. This situation has gone beyond conventional means for resolution and MCG will be turning this matter over to our attorneys, as this complaint and subsequent lying has escalated to a point where legal action is required. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/27/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, reasons for rejection are included below.

   The initial complaint that we filed with the BBB was as a result of Max not installing the proper equipment to prevent severe condensation in the basement and the breezeway at **** ***. Max stated that it was not covered under his contract as GC of the building is false. A work order was submitted midway thought the warranty period by ******** Management for Max to repair the severe condensation. His employees visited the site and agreed that it was Max fault for the condensation and that they would repair immediately. They never returned to make the repair and Max said it was out of warranty but we had a copy of the work order and he was forced to make the repair. 

  My initial complaint has been resolved.

  We have recently contacted Max again about severe issues with the HVAC system in units 11, 12 and 13. Again he says he did not perform the installation and has no responsibility and will not repair. We have documentation from the HVAC repair company that Max installed the systems incorrectly. We have been dealing with Max on this issue while the building was still under warranty and my point is that he is ultimately responsible for not correctly installing the units. Here is what we received from the HVAC repair company as documentation of Max not initially performing proper installation, This pertains to unit 12 and 13,

  This is from ****** **** Company concerning 12 and 13:

  Two of the casettes on the wall, bedroom and living room,, had the communication wires swapped. The outdoor unit was communicating to the wrong indoor cassette when sending refrigerants inside when it has a call for cooling. Secondly when they installed they did not add extra refrigerant to meet capacity for the system. The wires and refrigerant has now been repaired.

   

   

  The cost for this repair which was paid to ****** by my management company ******** was $5300. Max refuses to reimburse us for this amount because he says he did not install the system even though we paid him to do so.

  Now unit 11 is being examined by the repair company because of massive leaks behind the wall, ceiling has caved in, floors have been ruined. We have contacted Max and asked him to evaluate what is causing massive leaks in unit 11 and his respinse is the same as in every other issue regarding the HVAC. He says it is out of warranty and he did not install them

  We have proven that the damages and problems cause in 12 and 13 are due to faulty installation by Max. We now have have ****** looking at unit 11 which is adjacent to the other 2 units to determine the cause of the leakage. I am suspecting a faulty installation but I do not have that answer yet from ******. I have reached out to Max and asked him to evaluate why we are having issues in 11 and he has refused based on his same rationale that he did not install the system.

  The complaint is if the system was installed incorrectly and our contract was with Max, and paid him close to $3mm to renovate the building that he would at least want to defend himself that he did not install these systems incorrectly. We have paid $5300 for the repairs in 12 and 13 and now we have many thousands of damage in unit 11.Max advises that he is going to sue me if I keep complaining. He has blocked me from all correspondance so you are my communication to him.

  What should I do next to file a complaint for units 11. 12 and 13.

  **** *******

  
  

  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** *******
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/02/2025

  
  Could you please call me at ###-###-####. 
  I have a complaint against MAX Condtruction and need help from you. 
  See below  letter I just wrote to Matt Max regarding more issues with his company. Please keep this
  letter on file. 
  

  To: ****** ** ****** ********************
  Cc: *********************** *** ******* *****************
  Subject: Fwd: **** ***
  *****, please forward to Matt and copy me.  Thank you. Matt has blocked me.  
  **** **** ** ******
  Begin forwarded message:
  From: **** ******* <**********************>
  Date: December 28, 2024 at 2:56:48 PM EST
  *** *** ******* ****************** **********************
  Subject: **** ***
  Matt,
  I am copying ***** in on this so he can forward this email to you since for
  some reason you have blocked me from communicating my issues directly
  with you.
  Matt,
  I just received your responses to my BBB complaint.  You still claim you did not
  install the HVAC system and I just don’t understand.  You also claim that the
  condensation in the breezeway and the basement we’re not under contract
  and I don’t understand that as well. What did our $2.8 include if not HVAC and
  plumbing condensation.
  We have had serious issues with the HVAC system in the back building of ****
  *** starting in 2023. You attempted at that time to make the repairs but with
  no success.
  Now in the same building as number #12 and #13 we are having issues with
  #11 which I detailed to you in a previous email and our phone conversation
  last week.
  I am writing to you now to let you know we need to move forward with
  repairing # 11 as soon as possible since we are not able to rent that
  apartment. Probably going to use ****** ****, which I know you have used
  in the past or someone else.
  Before we move forward with them, I am asking if you would like to diagnose
  the issue and determine the cause of leaking units in the back building. Now
  #11 and determine through your examination if the claims I am making
  arexlegitimate. Based on documentation from ******, the units in #12 and
   #13 were not installed correctly by max construction. So I suspect the same
   for #11 will be found. We will see.
  If I do not hear from you by December 31, 2024 we will proceed with ******
  or another HVAC company to perform the repairs in #11.  This is your
  opportunity to give your opinion and diagnosis why all these units in that
  back building have not functioned since day one.  
  We Paid you approximately $2.8 million and that included a change order of
  $600,000 for mechanicals of which it was stated $124,000 was for the HVAC
  system installation.
  So please respond by December 31 or we are moving forward with the repairs
  without your examination.
  Also in your BBB response, you threatened legal action and I ask you not to do
  that because things could end up being very messy. That could cause a whole
  new level of issues that I am not claiming.  And you have never heard me say
  anything at this point about retaining legal counsel against you. I am just
  trying to get your help in resolving my serious HVAC issues in #11, # 12 and #
  13.
  I believe you are the expert on this building and I am just asking for your help
  in resolving these problems.
  **** **** ** ******
  

  
  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/03/2025

  All,
  This will be MCG's last attempt to clarify this issue, as nothing has changed our position on this matter since being asked to take over the role as General Contractor for **** **** ***. We have discussed and documented this dozens of times, which speaks directly to a lack of comprehension and accountability, or (perhaps) manipulation of the platform by this business. 
  Complaint states that MCG denies installing the HVAC. This is false. MCG denies installing the condensing line sets and low-voltage communication wiring. This work was installed by *** ******* *** ***. The condensate drain lines for the HVAC units were installed by ******** * **** ********. The power for these units was provided and installed by ** **********. **** **** *** would / could not spend the additional funds required by any other subcontractor(s) to remove all existing MEP work and start over, due to warranty liabilities. This was discussed and documented with the members of **** **** ***, their financial institution, legal counsel, and 3rd party consultant they retained for this specific matter. Carrying the liability of work previously performed by others and scopes (specifically) NOT IN CONTRACT has always been the issue with this project and **** **** *** knows it. 
  Ultimately, MCG was forced to assume the existing work in-place was performed correctly. The plumber and electrician stuck this project out and finished with some additional help and resources from MCG, while *** abandoned the project and filed an illegitimate lawsuit against **** **** ***, which MCG helped resolve through diligent record keeping and financial contributions towards removing a Lien. 
  MCG paid ** **** *********** *** to install the equipment (ONLY) that we purchased under the Construction Change Directive. Several months later we repaired 2 units under manufacturer's warranty. After the warranty expired in April '24, the property manager contacted me directly. He described conditions and issues that related directly to the work that *** had previously done and described above. He and member(s) of **** **** *** felt that it was MCG’s burden, and we simply didn’t agree. 
  On Friday, July 19, 2024, I met two of the members on site to discuss and resolve. They had another issue, too. The ductwork for the first-floor tenant space was sweating and the condensate line was dripping on the dirt floor in the basement. The basement was unconditioned, and the construction documents didn’t specify insulated ductwork. Also, there wasn’t any underground plumbing in that building, so there wasn’t a place to drain the condensation. A condensate pump and associated tie-in of plumbing would be required. Knowing this was an issue for them and a way for us to meet in the middle, I agreed to take care of those items (at my expense) and they would handle the repairs to the existing line sets, wiring, and condensate lines per the description and rationale stated throughout these communications. We completed our agreed upon scopes of work on 8/20/24 and notified one of the members. Nothing else was stated about the work and the BBB complaint showed “resolved”. 
  Fast-forward to a couple weeks ago when I receive another complaint for the same issue from the same member of **** **** ***. In speaking with the BBB representative, I learned that the reason the original complaint was marked “resolved” was because the author of the complaint hadn’t followed up for over 7 days. Figures. Upon the agent’s request, I sent copies of our contract, change orders / directives, pay applications, lien waivers, general correspondence, warranties, etc. to the BBB thinking they’d take the time to review and help **** *** ******* *** move past blaming others for past decisions. We’ll see….

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/07/2025

  Please send this to Matt Max at Max construction.  I sent this to my partner
  who forwarded to Matt, but I would like you to send it as well. He has blocked me from any
  communication so I am relying on you to send it to him.  And if he doesn’t respond, please post it on
  your site so people can see that he will not respond.  But for now, if you could just send it to MAX.   I
  would appreciate it. 
  **** **** ** ******
  Begin forwarded message:
  From: **** ******* <**********************>
  Date: January 4, 2025 at 11:56:07 AM EST
  
  
  To* ****** ** ****** ********************
  Subject: **** *** street
  *****, please forward this email to Matt Max.
  Matt,
  I want to confirm that you told me the people that worked on our building at **** *** ***
  was *** **** of ********* **.  Please confirm that name because we are going to call
  them to see if they have the blueprints or something that can help us in solving this
  problem. This is very time sensitive so please confirm. Thank you.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/22/2025

  
  This is my response to MCG regarding my complaint for work done at ****
  *** **** *********** **.  Matt Max, the owner of MCG viewed the property on
  several occasions and submitted a bid to take over the project from the
  previous general contractor and finish, repair deficiencies and perform all the
  necessary work to make **** a fully functional 13 unit building.
  So when the original general contractor left the project, we hired MCG to
  deliver a building that would rent to tenants. MCG submitted a bid for
  approximately $1.6 million and we agreed. Soon after taking on the project,
  MCG after further examination of the building, requested another $613,432.16
  change order fee for mechanicals, including HVAC Masonary, plumbing, etc.
   $124,000 of that amount was for HVAC. We agreed and paid because MCG
  said it was needed to properly complete the project. During the project MCG
  approached **** owners and needed more funds not detailed in the contract
  on numerous occasions and threatened to quit if we did not provide them
  with an additional $800,000 in fees.  We had no choice and the project went
  from the initial bid of $1.6 million to $3 million. Even after spending these
  dollars, MCG did not complete the project on the target date of January 1,
  2023.  MCG failed the certificate of occupancy inspections by the city of
  ********** for mechanicals which I believe were for plumbing, electric and
  HVAC, but I’m not sure. I do know one of the failures was that the water
  pressure did not reach the fifth floor properly and we were required by the
  city to install a pump at my cost of $40,000 additional dollars.  Is this
  something that MCG should have known? we don’t know but as usual, we
  paid the $40,000 owed for the pump.

  
  Regarding the response from MCG to my complaint, please see the following
  We thank MCG for their detailedand  response. While we appreciate your
  efforts to clarify your position, we respectfully disagree with your
  characterization of events and the responsibilities outlined in your role as
  general contractor for **** *** *** ***.
  -Scope of work and accountability:

  
  You stated that MCG did not install the condensing line sets, low-voltage
  wiring, or condensate drain lines, asserting that these were the responsibilities
  of the subcontractors. However, as general contractor, MCG assumed
  responsibility for coordinating and overseeing the work of all subcontractors
  to ensure compliance with project requirements. This includes identifying and
  addressing deficiencies in work performed before assuming the project, as
  well as ensuring proper execution by the subcontractors you retained.
  -Funding and change orders:

  
  Is important to note that **** *** * ** funded a significant change order of
  approximately $613,000 to address project needs including $124,000
  specifically allocated for HVAC related work. in additional $800,000 was also
  spent on other issues. This was in addition to the original contract of
  approximately $1.6 million, bringing the total project cost to around $3 million
  paid to MCG. The substantial funds were provided with the expectation that
  MCG would use them to resolve outstanding issues and deliver a complete
  and functional project. The fact that unresolved deficiencies  remain, despite
  this significant financial commitment, raises serious concerns about how these
  funds were allocated and managed.
  -Assumption of liability for existing work:

  
  While you claim that **** *** *** *** declined to fund the removal and
  replacement of existing MEP work, which is false, this decision does not
  absolve MCG from the responsibility to thoroughly assess the condition and
  quality of existing work before assuming liability. Any concerns regarding
  warranty, liability or work previously performed should’ve been documented
  clearly and addressed before proceeding with new installations. Instead, the
  assumption that all prior work was performed correctly has resulted in
  ongoing issues that have not been fully resolved.
  -Ductwork and condensation issues:
  Your acknowledgment of uninsulated ductwork and the lack of proper
  drainage for condensate lines highlights a clear deficiency in the design
  implementation of the HVAC system under your management. While you
  addressed some of these issues, “at your expense”, This does not negate the
  fact that the resolution was partial and left other critical problems
  unaddressed, ultimately burdening **** *** LLC.
  -Unresolved concerns and communication:
  Your statement about resolving prior complaints in the BBB marking the case
  resolved is inaccurate. The status change occurred due to a lack of follow up
  within the BBB’s  timeframe, Not because the issues were satisfactory resolved.
  Furthermore, while you claim to have sent documentation to the BBB, the lack
  of substantive resolution for the underlying issue remains unaddressed.
  -Current complaint:

  
  The current complaint is not a repetition of past grievances, but rather a
  reflection of ongoing dissatisfaction with the quality and completeness of the
  work performed under MCG‘s management. These issues, directly impact the
  functionality of the property and impose financial operational burdens on
  **** **** ***.
  Summary:
  **** *** *** entered into an original contract with MCG for approximately
  $1.6 million and later funded an additional change order of approximately
  $613,000 for mechanicals +800,000 for other issues. Bringing the total project
  cost to around $3 million. These funds were provided with the expectation
  that MCG would address and resolve all project deficiencies, including HVAC
  related work to industry standards. Unfortunately, unresolved issues remain,
  and we believe they reflect a failure to meet contractual obligations and
  project expectations.
  While we understand your perspective, the concerns raised in the BBB
  complaint are valid and remain unresolved. We stand by our original position
  and will continue to pursue a fair and apprpropriate resolution to these
  matters.
  We hope this clarifies our stance and respectfully request that MCG take
  responsibility for the unresolved issues as outlined above.
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/22/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, reasons for rejection are included below.

  
  

  
  

  
  This is my response to MCG regarding my complaint for work done at ****
  *** **** *********** **.  Matt Max, the owner of MCG viewed the property on
  several occasions and submitted a bid to take over the project from the
  previous general contractor and finish, repair deficiencies and perform all the
  necessary work to make **** a fully functional 13 unit building.
  So when the original general contractor left the project, we hired MCG to
  deliver a building that would rent to tenants. MCG submitted a bid for
  approximately $1.6 million and we agreed. Soon after taking on the project,
  MCG after further examination of the building, requested another $613,432.16
  change order fee for mechanicals, including HVAC Masonary, plumbing, etc.
   $124,000 of that amount was for HVAC. We agreed and paid because MCG
  said it was needed to properly complete the project. During the project MCG
  approached **** owners and needed more funds not detailed in the contract
  on numerous occasions and threatened to quit if we did not provide them
  with an additional $800,000 in fees.  We had no choice and the project went
  from the initial bid of $1.6 million to $3 million. Even after spending these
  dollars, MCG did not complete the project on the target date of January 1,
  2023.  MCG failed the certificate of occupancy inspections by the city of
  ********** for mechanicals which I believe were for plumbing, electric and
  HVAC, but I’m not sure. I do know one of the failures was that the water
  pressure did not reach the fifth floor properly and we were required by the
  city to install a pump at my cost of $40,000 additional dollars.  Is this
  something that MCG should have known? we don’t know but as usual, we
  paid the $40,000 owed for the pump.

  
  Regarding the response from MCG to my complaint, please see the following
  We thank MCG for their detailedand  response. While we appreciate your
  efforts to clarify your position, we respectfully disagree with your
  characterization of events and the responsibilities outlined in your role as
  general contractor for **** *** *** ***.
  -Scope of work and accountability:

  
  You stated that MCG did not install the condensing line sets, low-voltage
  wiring, or condensate drain lines, asserting that these were the responsibilities
  of the subcontractors. However, as general contractor, MCG assumed
  responsibility for coordinating and overseeing the work of all subcontractors
  to ensure compliance with project requirements. This includes identifying and
  addressing deficiencies in work performed before assuming the project, as
  well as ensuring proper execution by the subcontractors you retained.
  -Funding and change orders:

  
  Is important to note that **** *** * ** funded a significant change order of
  approximately $613,000 to address project needs including $124,000
  specifically allocated for HVAC related work. in additional $800,000 was also
  spent on other issues. This was in addition to the original contract of
  approximately $1.6 million, bringing the total project cost to around $3 million
  paid to MCG. The substantial funds were provided with the expectation that
  MCG would use them to resolve outstanding issues and deliver a complete
  and functional project. The fact that unresolved deficiencies  remain, despite
  this significant financial commitment, raises serious concerns about how these
  funds were allocated and managed.
  -Assumption of liability for existing work:
  While you claim that **** *** *** *** declined to fund the removal and
  replacement of existing MEP work, which is false, this decision does not
  absolve MCG from the responsibility to thoroughly assess the condition and
  quality of existing work before assuming liability. Any concerns regarding
  warranty, liability or work previously performed should’ve been documented
  clearly and addressed before proceeding with new installations. Instead, the
  assumption that all prior work was performed correctly has resulted in
  ongoing issues that have not been fully resolved.
  -Ductwork and condensation issues:

  
  Your acknowledgment of uninsulated ductwork and the lack of proper
  drainage for condensate lines highlights a clear deficiency in the design
  implementation of the HVAC system under your management. While you
  addressed some of these issues, “at your expense”, This does not negate the
  fact that the resolution was partial and left other critical problems
  unaddressed, ultimately burdening **** *** LLC.
  -Unresolved concerns and communication:

  
  Your statement about resolving prior complaints in the BBB marking the case
  resolved is inaccurate. The status change occurred due to a lack of follow up
  within the BBB’s  timeframe, Not because the issues were satisfactory resolved.
  Furthermore, while you claim to have sent documentation to the BBB, the lack
  of substantive resolution for the underlying issue remains unaddressed.
  -Current complaint:

  
  The current complaint is not a repetition of past grievances, but rather a
  reflection of ongoing dissatisfaction with the quality and completeness of the
  work performed under MCG‘s management. These issues, directly impact the
  functionality of the property and impose financial operational burdens on
  **** **** ***.
  Summary:

  
  **** *** *** entered into an original contract with MCG for approximately
  $1.6 million and later funded an additional change order of approximately
  $613,000 for mechanicals +800,000 for other issues. Bringing the total project
  cost to around $3 million. These funds were provided with the expectation
  that MCG would address and resolve all project deficiencies, including HVAC
  related work to industry standards. Unfortunately, unresolved issues remain,
  and we believe they reflect a failure to meet contractual obligations and
  project expectations.
  While we understand your perspective, the concerns raised in the BBB
  complaint are valid and remain unresolved. We stand by our original position
  and will continue to pursue a fair and apprpropriate resolution to these
  matters.

  
  We hope this clarifies our stance and respectfully request that MCG take
  responsibility for the unresolved issues as outlined above.
  

  
  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** *******
  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/22/2025

  We will not engage in this any further, and won't be involved in the re-writing of (well documented) history. Someone spent a lot of time writing this story for **** of **** **** ***, but it's great insight to their lack of accountability and honesty. 

  Business Response

  Date: 01/24/2025

  Better Business Bureau:

  
  

   I would like to reject the offer of Mediation for complaint ID ********. The executed AIA Contract between the parties explicitly states, "litigation" vs mediation for dispute resolution. 

  
  

  Regards,

  
  

  Matt Max
  Max Construction Group

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/17/2022

  Type:Service or Repair 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.

  I hired Matt and his crew after closing on our first commercial property in 2021. Matt seemed great at first. He assessed the building, and he made me feel comfortable enough to trust him with our project. This was our first experience with such a large scale project, so we put all our faith and trust into him. There were small jobs in the contract that were completed early in the project that didn't sit right with me. Our appraiser also pointed out some things. But I believed Matt would finish the work and do the things he promised. But unfinished work continued to pile up. Meanwhile, I paid the original contract off in full - minus a couple smaller additions we added along the way. We were clear with Matt throughout the project that meeting our deadline to reopen our business and security were our top two priorities. When a security door hadn't arrived on time, I asked Matt about it. He lied and said that the company he ordered the door from was delayed because of COVID. In reality, he hadn't ordered it. I spoke directly to the company to verify all conversations about the door and when it was ordered. Unfortunately, instead of being honest with us, Matt lied. We fired Matt and went through the contract line by line. We found thousands of dollars of unfinished work or things that weren't done up to standards (per the new folks we hired to finish these various jobs left undone by Matt). We attempted to mediate a fair reimbursement based on the unfinished work, while ensuring we paid for work that was done. Unfortunately, Matt refused to reimburse us, and threatened to take us to court and put a lien on our new property. Court would be too expensive for our small business that is in the middle of opening a newly renovated shop. So we decided to walk away. It's been less than 9 months since some of the repairs have been done that are now falling apart. Big plumbing issue came up today. The contractor that came through confirmed Matt never did what was in the contract

  Business Response

  Date: 07/20/2022

  MCG was referred by a client, with whom we have an excellent relationship. We started by conducting site visits of potential properties and evaluating existing conditions vs customer's end-use requirements. After subject property was secured and loan docs were executed for the purchase, the loan for construction was not approved. Essentially, the budget needed to come down by approximately half, leaving many "wants" out of budget. We value-engineered to what the budget would allow and moved forward. It was a very small project from a commercial construction standpoint, but the owners were very inexperienced and needed help understanding the process with the bank and the phases of construction. The project became a “white box” buildout, which left many of the finishes and fixtures out of budget. Through this, I made the mistake of becoming too involved in a project, as the budget wouldn't allow for the overhead of a project manager. I answered phone calls, text messages, and emails all hours of the day to try and help them. Things would go well for a period, then confusion and lack of experience would force added communication. It's important to note, that MCG mobilized and began construction before the construction loan was approved or funded, as we understood the significance of finishing our scope before the end of 2021, which would allow them time to do their own finishes before opening. We worked without payment for almost 2 months and the clients were extremely happy. 

  
  As contracted work was completing, we were asked to provide additional items (security gate at storefront, fabricating and installing basement access). It was understood that these items were not in contract and would be additional money. I also raised concerns about a lockable roll-up security gate because it didn't meet egress code. There was a ton of correspondence regarding this added item, which I did not follow through with. Even though they requested this item, and I dropped the ball on ordering. The client wasn’t charged, and MCG paid a significant amount of money to cancel an order that was already started in January ’22. 

  
  Given the fact that I knew one of the clients had a propensity for volatile / violent behavior, I was afraid to tell them that I dropped the ball on ordering the gate in December. I thought the order was secured and didn’t realize that it hadn’t been released until making a call to the manufacturer in early January. It was a 5-week lead-time. It was only then that everything that had been done over the previous several months became an issue. Although I would conduct occasional site visits and correspond with the clients, I wasn’t on-site very often, and I don’t work in the field any longer. 

  
  These accusations make it sound as though I was fraudulent in previous monthly billing cycles. Work would take place over the course of a month, then we’d bill for work completed. Payments weren’t due for another two weeks. At no time was there ever a mention about us billing for something that wasn’t done, or something being done incorrectly. Considering the amount of communication between the client and I throughout a construction process that lasted almost 4 months, I believe there’s a false narrative that’s been created to make them the victims. Had the client not become so uncontrollably enraged, we would have completed anything that wasn’t up to their standards and executed a warranty for the work. However, they chose a path that created more problems for everyone, including their initial threats to litigate . Now, here we are 6 months later being accused (again) of something we have zero knowledge of, just a rant that was intended to harm, on a platform that we have an A+ rating with.

  
  Personally, and professionally, I strive to help other small businesses whenever possible. Even though these clients were very unconventional, they have a great business for the community they serve. I would never wish them harm or hardship. I want them to succeed! However, the harassment from someone who didn’t pay the Contract in-full; accepted deducts / no-charges from the amounts that were still open; engaged their attorney to threaten me, only to have the attorney agree with what was presented as being fair and equitable; continued to harass and slander  via text message; and, trying to bully another small business into paying for their own mistakes, despite their attorney agreeing that they wouldn’t. This is ridiculous. It’s a 100-year-old building and they didn’t have the funds available to fix everything. I have months of complimentary messages and positive social media posts to prove that they only soured after the issue with a non-contract gate came into play. If this issue goes any further, it will have to be litigated. This isn't acceptable. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/21/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 

  NOTE I have to click on "accept this response" or expect litigation. Matt wins. Money trumps all. 
  
   
  
  ****** ********