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:09/28/2023

  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.

  I waited 4 month for Hartman Construction & Excavating to put an under deck roof above my patio and when they finally got around to completing my job they were short materials and expected payment on full. Their workmanship was sloppy and as a result of them dropping nails all over my driveway I ended up with 2 rear flat tire. One tire needed replaced and the other I had to pay for a repair. I was also told that it was not their fault they were short materials. Chris Hartman the owner never gave me a contract to sign or an itemized estimate. When I asked for material costs he said that he does not give those out to customers and refused. Although my job is still not complete; he sent me an invoice and altered the invoice after sending it to me on the joist app after the fact. Chris H****** is unprofessional and disrespectful and does sloppy haphazard work. Additionally, he put the downspout on the roofing system next to my wooden pole supporting the deck and his rational is that it "it's going to rot eventually."

  Business Response

  Date: 10/14/2023

  I'm writing in response to a complaint filed on 9/28/2023 by ****** ********. Typically, there is a 8 month minimum wait for construction projects with my business. We are very busy with a large client base throughout the area. Because it was a smaller project close in proximity to a similar project I was working on, I was able to fit this project in sooner. In a text message conversation (which i have copies of), it was acknowledged when we can fit her project in and that the product she was asking for was a special order item. She agreed to the price and wait time. On August 17 the product was delivered to the residence and on August 21 we began the installation. Near the completion of the installation we noticed that the manufacturer packaged the product wrong and didn't send the right quantity. Upon learning this I contacted my supplier and other suppliers trying to locate more of the product, because it was special order, nothing was in stock in the area. I advised the homeowner of this and that the supplier would have to order in the remaining panels. In a phone conversation on August 30, I was informed that she had a friend that was able to get the material the following week and that they were going to finish the project. Because of the size of the project and me unfortunately trusting the homeowner,  I didn't invoice for any down payment. I've been in this line of work for over 30 years and this is the first time an individual has refused to pay for services.  The claim that I am responsible for her flat tires is absurd, the work we performed was in the rear of the residence nowhere near the driveway, no nails were used in the installation, screws only. We don't do "sloppy" work as described by the homeowner, the product was installed according to manufacturer specifications and our repeat customer base reflects on that. In my opinion, this is an obvious attempt at getting a project completed for free or heavily discounted. Typically, I don't share material costs, nor was a material cost requested until after the project was started. The owner had plenty of time to research that on her own beforehand but chose not to.   Finally, the gutter was installed with the downspout emptied into the river rock area so as to not to wash away a mulch bed on the opposite side of the patio. A downspout extension was offered to lead the water further away but was declined.  An invoice was sent for the work performed with a line item showing a discount until the remaining product was delivered and installed. I didn't modify anything or ask to be paid in full. In closing, I'm the victim here, I haven't been paid. In fact, because of a mistake by the manufacturer, I will lose money on the project because I'd have to remobilize to return to the job at a cost not passed on to the owner. I have filed a civil complaint against this individual and am awaiting a resolution through the court.
  --
  Thank You,
  Chris H******
  Owner-Hartman Construction & Excavating