Complaints

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• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/01/2023

  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.

  Mint construction put a new roof on for us and my husband and I were pleased. (Feb of 2021). Our deck was falling down so my husband asked them to replace the deck. My husband passed away 8/29/2021 due to Covid). I decided to go ahead with the deck project so I had access to my back yard. Mint construction tore down the existing three decks and rebuilt the decks and I was pleased, although it was costly, $50,000. At least it’s maintenance free. It was over two years to complete . I asked *******, co-owner with her husband how much it would cost for an extension to be added for my table and chairs. She told me $16,000. I asked so I knew what I could afford because I did take out a loan for the first deck which I am paying with my Social Security money. They came and started on the extension July 2023. She asked for $10,000.00 for supplies. I gave her a check. The deck was longer than I asked for but they had supplies on my driveway for two years so I thought they were utilizing those supplies and three feet of the length was already included. Nothing was mentioned about any additional cost at any time. I really liked them because I was pleased with the prior work. When they were finished, ******* came to my house without warning and said she had no idea about the cost. ( she does the work with her husband and orders supplies !!! ). She presented a bill of $43,000.00!!!!!!!!! I said *******, I am in shock! I said I trusted you as a friend because of the prior work! I said you never, ever indicated it was going to cost more. She said I know, I made a huge mistake. The bill was not itemized as far as supply or labor cost. I said I can’t believe this bill. I am totally in shock. Then she said oh I forgot to deduct the $10,000.00 you paid for supplies and I will take my labor cost off of $3,000.00. I said still, $40,000.00 total!! She said I know. I said you never told me it would cost this much. I am a good, trusting person and thought I had to pay it. I just wasn’t thinking being taken off guard and in shock that I could not think clearly plus she gained my friendship. I could not stop thinking about it. I started to think how they tore down three decks, rebuilt them and this was just an extension!! I thought this was three times the amount of the estimate she told me. I was expecting to pay around $6,000.00 give or take, since I already paid $10,000.00 and what in the world happened. It was right at the time when I was still grieving for my husband too, August!! She came back to the house (9/2/23) i said I was so very upset over writing the check because it was way over the amount she quoted to me. She said I know. I went on to say I don’t know what to think of you right now. I went over everything how they tore down and rebuilt 3 decks and this was only an extension. I said she came into my house like the trodden horse and took me by complete surprise. I said how in the world could you not tell me it was going to cost more? She again said, I know I made a huge mistake. I said I know but I can’t pay for your mistake and it’s been horrible to realize you took my little savings from me. I asked her to please compromise and at least instead of the $24,000.00 you overcharged me, please let’s compromise on $20,000.00 even though that is still a lot over, I just wanted to have her agree and send the check reimbursement back to me. She did agree to send a reimbursement of $20,000.00 back to me. She also sarcastically said, I hope you don’t have any more projects. I did not receive anything back from her at all and it’s almost the end of November!! I sent her a reminder text 9/16/23 kindly reminding her of our agreement. Nothing! 10/7/23 text kindly explaining again our agreement. I also sent an email and a phone call. No response. I have been so sick over this whole situation. I am retired and really can’t afford to be without this money. I believe she pretended to be a friend and sharing things with me, gaining my trust, taking advantage of my good nature as well as a grieving widow!!! I really would just like to have my money back!! My husband trusted them and liked them so I did as well and when they did great work prior, why wouldn’t we trust them?? They just got greedy or something. There is also an area that they put in a board which isn’t fit into the other boards which looks like a hurried attempt and the board could be a hazard and is splitting. Is there any way I could get my money back? My friends even said I was scammed!! At this point I don’t think I should compromise. I think I deserve the $24,000.00 over her estimate to me for what she did. Can you please help me? I appreciate your help so much!! I don’t think the income taxes are correct either if they don’t itemize their customer’s bills. They can make their figures anything they want to. Thank you!!!!******

  Business Response

  Date: 12/04/2023

  ***************** and her husband contacted Mint Construction in 2023 in regard to refacing their existing deck located in the rear of their home.  As we had done their roof previously, we were more than willing to help with the deck.  Upon first inspection of the deck, the original deck had collapsed.  At that time, **************** had recently passed.  We discussed having to tear down and rebuild the deck with ***.  Her answer at that time was that ***** would want her to have it done. She had chosen composite decking with vinyl railing as she did not want to have to maintain it.  We tore the existing deck down and rebuilt it to the same dimensions it was before to include bracing for a hot tub and to butt up against the pool she had ordered. As the project started, she stated she wanted the deck to now go around the pool completely and added stairs and gates to the scope. Free work was performed for her (AS A FRIEND) which included having a hot tub put on her decking with a forklift, and her outdoor kitchen set and patio furniture on the deck.  During the work performed, the supplies were placed in her driveway area due to the inability to access the yard and all materials had to be carried up a steep and long driveway to where it was being installed.  We did leave a few decking boards and railing in the driveway.  While trying to complete the project, the pool installer had come and covered the pool which would hinder her request to complete the decking around the pool till it was opened the following spring which she agreed with.  The initial $50,000 project did not include the additional decking, stairs and gates that she requested and that was stated to her before we left. She paid that amount stating how pleased she was with the work.  As spring came, we again returned to assess the deck around the pool and the equipment and supplies we would need to complete the scope.  At that time, she approached us about adding decking to house her patio furniture she had purchased.  We got a tape measure out, and asked her what size she had wanted.  She added an approximate 700 square feet which was just short of the same size of the previous 2 decks.  When told by the owner that it would cost her close to what she paid for the original deck, she responded with "THIS IS MY PARADISE AND THIS IS WHAT I WANT". She referenced several times as we were there that it was the deck of her dreams and she wanted her friends and family to enjoy it.  As the job occurred, she again added steps and a gate as we progressed.  I called her two weeks into job stating that i would need a check for $10,000 as we were currently at a materials cost of $16000.  She had no problem with that and gave the check the next day.  Two weeks later we completed the job and I stated the last day of the job that i would return later with the final bill.  At no time was i aggressive with giving her the bill, and as it was obvious she was upset, i knocked off $3000.00 from the bill.  She stated several times she felt bad not paying it, but i again, stated that i knew she was upset and i wanted to offer the deduction.  Upon leaving, I realized the $10000 deposit was not deducted and called her immediately (distracted from another construction company that was installing a sliding glass door right where we were sitting).  I mailed that check to her as soon as I returned home.  She had cashed that check before i had even cashed her check for the work.  We returned 1 week later to install the gate that had come in late.  She was standoffish and sat me down to tell me that she was told the job was $16000 and that now she would be unable to take her granddaughter on vacation.   i showed her invoices on my phone stating the cost of some of the materials.  She wanted to come to an agreement, stating she felt we overcharged her by $24000 and she would accept $12000 meeting me halfway. She also stated that she did not ask for the size of deck we installed. i explained that it would be like us installing the deck for free and i did not have that money available.  She was insistent on the $12000 so at that point i left the home after installing the gate.  She later texted me several times stating that we made an agreement for our company to return $20000, including "MEME'S" stating that things will "come back around" to us, including a voicemail stating that my company works regularly and can afford to take a loss.  There was intense labor, top of the line materials, and a lot of favors done for ******************  She paid the bill in full, expressing her full enjoyment and satisfaction in what was completed for her.  We truly appreciated her allowing us to do the work she was looking for.  Our company has been in business for over 25 years and with a very big "word of mouth" reputation as doing exceptional work. We would never do work for a customer that they didn't want and we were very sympathetic to her husband passing as he was originally from our hometown and very well known. We truly felt there was a good relationship with *** and ***** both.                                               

  **** The repair she mentions in her complaint has never been mentioned to our company. ****