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:02/23/2024

  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 needed construction of a 2-story addition. The proposed day of framing was 12/7. From then until 1/15 when I terminated the agreement, they worked 5 days. They many excuses for why they couldn't work the other 20 days (lumber not yet delivered, ran out of nails, work emergency, crew down with the flu, rain and snow, too cold for compressors, too windy). Also, Jesse collected more money than what the cost of labor performed and materials on-site were. He charged me $8,000 more for the foundation work subbed out than that company charged. (They have provided me with the invoices for my job.) I believe that I am owed $25,000 and have submitted a complaint to the PA Attorney General. Jesse has responded once only; He "did nothing to get fired and you have a contract that tells you weather permitted and I left a whole stack of wood and everything on your job." There was one delivery of lumber left (which I paid for) but there were not other materials, tools, etc left at my house. He ended the text message with, "I spent your money on your job, so do what you Gotta do." In addition, the new contractor pointed out various issues with the framing already completed. The window opening dimensions were incorrect, the framing around the to-be patio door was not to code, and the crew didn't bother to cover to new subfloor they installed on the first floor. So, the floor took on all of the rain and snow during over a month that the crew barely worked (the floor joist have mildew on them and the subfloor is weak). A tarp over it would've been nice. I have reached out to Jesse multiple times since 1/15 via email and text message in the hopes of settling on an amount so we don't have to go to court. He has not responded. I believe I have 4 years to file this in the civil courts. I do not have the money to hire an attorney at this point. Jesse D****** and J & J Construction 1 are currently being sued by another homeowner. That hearing is set for 2/28/24 in Pittsburgh, PA.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/23/2024

  this customer is making things up to get work done for free. J&J construction 1 gave him a contract stating they had 8 weeks to complete the job. The job was almost halfway done. J&J was on track to have the job done 3 weeks in advance. before the job was started the homeowner signed a contract agreeing to pay a price for the entire job. J&J construction was off work for 1 week due to snow and rain, then 2 more days from it being below 0 degrees and 60 mph winds. if J&J was not terminated the wood would not be damaged if it is. how can someone terminate someone, wait 3 weeks then blame them for the wood being outside in the weather. The reason J&J construction did not work the week of the snow, is due to the steps that needed to take place. The next step of the job was to remove the outside brick of the dwelling. doing so in the snow would cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. The homeowner was asked if he would sign a paper stating that he would take responsibility if damages occurred, since he was not happy that J&J didn't remove the brick. The home owner refused. therefore the house was not opened. In the termination email the homeowner states that he already hired another contractor and signed a contract. which in turn voids our contract. It clearly states in J&Js contract that the homeowner can not hire anyone dealing with the job under our contract. It also states that we are in full control of hours and days that J&J construction is on that specific job. There was 8 weeks left into the contract and the job was on course to be done early. This homeowner does not have the right to broadcast about court hearing that they are not involved in and know nothing about and have his friends constantly give J&J construction bad reviews on google. Everything is done by the blueprint. J&J has not failed an inspection in 8 years. so claims of wrong dimensions and things built not to code is absurd. J&J construction was advised not to have contact with the homeowner due to the harassment and deformation he has caused. This homeowner took a great job and tried to sue because they just feel like it, and turn around and try to blackmail the owner of the company. This will be settled in the way things like this should be handled. not a childish war on google reviews to see how far the homeowner and his friends can drop a company's ratings. Thank you for your time, 

  J&J construction 1

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/24/2024

  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, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  
  
  *** ********* response lacks any evidence to support his claims. I have provided five additional attachments: contract, communication/confirmation by ***** ***** ** ****** **** ****, and the three invoices submitted to J & J Construction 1 by Bridge City Team.

  
  First, the contract clearly states that it was my right, without penalty, to terminate the contract at any time. What I am requesting is NOT a refund for services already performed; I am requesting that I be given the amount of money that was overpaid to Mr. D******. If he claims that all of the money that I paid to him was spent on my project, then it is his obligation to submit receipts and documents showing payment to materials companies and to various independent contractors for their labor. I have not harassed Mr. D****** in any way; instead, I have asked multiple times for the receipts and a proper explanation as to why he believes that he doesn't owe me any money.

  Second, you will see that the contract shows that a payment in the amount of $31,900 was submitted on 11/16/23 ****** * ***** This was the amount for the foundation work, performed by Bridge City Team. The invoices attached, and text image between me and Dylan at Bridge City, show that the total for the foundation work was $23,250. This is an overpayment of $8,650. Mr. D****** has not yet provided an explanation for this discrepancy. He has made it clear that he owes me no explanation since he believes I unfairly terminated the contract.

  Lastly, Mr. D****** is simply lying regarding how much work they completed and what the circumstances were regarding why they couldn't work. As I have stated in my initial complaint to the BBB, his crew worked a total of 5 days out of a possible 25 working days. That put them 5 weeks into the project. They were 1 week into a 10-week contract, as per the contract (not 8 weeks, as he stated in his response here). They had completed the first floor subfloor and where almost finished with the framing of the first floor walls. Again, while they were not working (and in the span of one month), they did not buy even a cheap tarp to use to cover the subfloor. As a result of this, the floor joists have mildew on them and the subfloor is weak. A large hole has already been created in one of the floor boards due to normal walking/working within the space. Mr. D****** claims his crew were almost halfway done with the project. This is an egregious lie. The new contractor isn't even to the point of insulating and drywalling the interior first and second floors, and he and his crew have been working since 1/15/24.

  I hope the BBB will take my attachments and statements as objective evidence that it is my right to be given back $25,000 that was overpaid to Mr. D******. Of course, it is entirely likely that he will not do so, and that is why he has been sued so many times, and has an upcoming hearing in Allegheny County, as he is being sued for $12,000. If he doesn't pay me back, it is my hope that his business listing here on BBB drops significantly in its rating.
  
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  
  ****** ******

  Business Response

  Date: 02/26/2024

  The homeowner has decided to make it a personal vendetta to tank J&J construction 1 by having multiple friends write nasty and un true reviews. The contract clearly states that J&J construction 1 is in complete control of the job. Which means... Days that are worked, hrs that are worked each day, the means and manner the work is done. The home owner was explained all this before the contract was even signed. The flooring was only in the weather for 1 week before the homeowner terminated the contract. J&J is not responsible for the structure once J&J was terminated from the job. in other words... You cant fire J&J construction, wait 3 weeks then try and say its J&J constructions fault the wood is ruined. If J&J was given the opportunity to complete the job there would be no damage to the wood, if there is any at all. The build was expected to take 6 further working days for the structure to be under paper. The homeowner was explained this. the spread sheets he decided to make at home does not make it a true statement. The original bid from Bridge City included removing a concrete slab and pouring a new on, which changed to J&J construction removing the floor and framing the new floor in. But according to the homeowner he should get the money instead of J&J being paid for the work they did, The contract was revised before the job started because he changed the blueprint before the job started. The contract states that the job could be terminated for work that has not been started yet. The addition was already started on a great process to be done early. J&J construction was advised to not add any additional information until it is handled in the way our advisers see fit. The homeowner has decided its in his best interest to slander the J&J company because he couldn't get work done for free. The home owner was given a 35k discount on the original price because J&J construction tried to help the homeowner out. Because it was stated by the homeowner over and over again that the homeowner was running out of money, due to his having 2 mortgages and going on vacation soon as the job started. J&J construction does not feel that the homeowner has the right to DECIDE how much he doesn't want to pay after he signed a contract. The contract states that every Thursday the company gets a check. A check was not received every week from the homeowner. The home owner was charged a price to do a job. He decided that it wasn't acceptable to NOT ruin his house in turn deciding to terminate the contract due to J&J construction not causing a bunch of damage to his dwelling. Any Further information will be released when advised to do so. J&J was not given the time in the contract to get the job done. The job was terminated well before the deadline on false pretenses.  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/26/2024

  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, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  
  At this point, I am pleading with the Better Business Bureau to require Mr. D****** to release all receipts and other payment records showing what he spent on my project. His latest response is entirely false. I have attached the journal that I updated daily while his crew were and weren't here. You will see all of the days they decided to work and reasons why. I have also provided important notes from my conversations with Mr. D****** and his foreman (and nephew), Rock Harmon, to give greater context.

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