ComplaintsforMansfield Landscaping, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  07/09/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Complaint against Mansfield Landscaping for failure to complete agreed contract, fraud and deception. Entered into an agreement 03/15/2021 to complete two retaining walls in order to use up lawn area that was difficult to mow. Work was completed 05/18/2021 and paid in full 05/19/2021. Contractor, Steve Mansfield did not complete 2 walls as promised, instead put up one wall 5 feet high and assured us that the wall was not going anywhere and it would be safe. The manufacturer's specification states that the block should not be used for anything over 2 foot tall but we only became aware of this when the wall failed on 06/24/2021 (35 days after completion). He is willing to fix the failure that cost us $42,000.

  Business response

  09/15/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 9, 2021/08/06) */ August 6, 2021 BBB Serving Central Florida 1600 South Grant St Longwood, Florida 32750 RE: Case#*********: ************* I, Steve Mansfield, am responding to a letter that was received on August 3, 2021 in regards to a complaint filed by *************. To be clear, we did not receive a previous notice as we were first noticed on August 3, 2021. Here at Mansfield Landscaping we pride ourselves in never taking any deposits or money from our customers until the job is completed and the customers are completely satisfied. On 05/18/2021 the one 5 ft high wall was completed as both Mr.********* and I came to an agreement that it was the best option for what was being accomplished. If that was not what he wanted, there were plenty of opportunities to tell me so as I make sure the customer is completely satisfied before I take any payment. Because he had no complaints and he was satisfied, we were paid in full and there were no issues. Unfortunately, now this is not a matter that can be solved by just replying to a complaint and refunding the money. Mr.********* has made it known that he is not taking any responsibility for this issue. I personally have not been in contact with Mr.********* has since contacted the BBB and his lawyer. .As we received a letter from ********************* on behalf of Mr.*********, I then contacted my attorney, Largey and Associates in Tavares, Fl. Furthermore, I would have been glad to mediate this with Mr.********* and the BBB if he had not contacted the lawyer before sending a complaint to the BBB. So because of that, this is now a legal matter. I now have been advised to let my lawyer handle it so therefore I have no further comment on the matter. As the BBB knows, we are not BBB accredited because we do not pay. But, we are A+ rated and have great reviews and almost no complaints. I appreciate your concerns in this matter. Best Regards, Steve Mansfield Mansfield Landscaping, LLC 38 Palm Dr Yalaha, FL 34797-3011 Consumer Response /* (3000, 11, 2021/08/19) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) August 19, 2021 Better Business Bureau Attn *********** 1600 S. Grant Street, Longwood, FL 32750 Case #********* We have an active case # with your agency regarding a collapsed wall constructed by Steve Mansfield with Mansfield Landscaping in Yalaha, Florida. This is our response to Mr. Mansfield's comments made to the complaint. We never agreed to having one wall built. Mr. Mansfield contacted us by cell phone and stated that he wanted 5 more pallets of bricks, ordered at an additional cost and he said that he would split the pricing with us. We told him no, that a price was agreed upon for $42,000. for two walls as written on the contract. He took it upon himself to continue to build the wall and when we returned home that evening the top portion was glued and placed. It was too late to make any changes. We did text Mr. Mansfield on June 30, 2021 at 3:28pm about "how do you propose to resolve the wall issue as per our contract" His response at 3:56pm and 3:58pm was "It's on u or your ins company u didn't secure it as proposed and are taking no responsibility" and then "U only paid for the wall u didn't want to pay me for the erosion control u said u would do I tried to help but your blaming us and we did our job." After the wall fell, we started to do some research. The block Mr. Mansfield used was only to be used in applications under three feet (flower boxes, etc.) Mr. Mansfield also told us that permits were not needed since it was landscaping. We contacted Lake County Building Services and on August 4, the Licensing Investigators issued 2 citations to Mr. Mansfield for 1) not having a valid license to do business in Lake County and 2) not obtaining proper permits for the construction. Lake County charged him $500.00 for each offense. He paid the fines to avoid going to court with Lake County, which is admitting he was guilty. We contacted a masonry and landscaping companies and three engineers, they all agreed that the wall fell because 1) the wrong wall block product was used, 2) it should have never been built that tall, 3) no footings were used, 4) it should have been engineered and permitted, 5) there was no weep holes and the barrier is impervious not allowing water to wick through. They also all agreed with the Building Inspectors, if additional rock would have been placed on top of the wall, it would have failed sooner than the 35 days. We only contacted an attorney when Mr. Mansfield continued to blame us and not take responsibility for his failure. We will be pursuing this further as it is costing us even more to have the debris removed and a new engineered wall built. Best Regards, **** and**************** Business Response /* (4000, 15, 2021/09/07) */ In response to the consumer's comments on case *********: Mr.********* chose to get an attorney involved in this matter. So, we contacted our attorney who in turn has sent a response and an offer to resolve this matter. Mr.********* did not pay a dime until the job was completed and they were completely satisfied. So, obviously any changes that were made were made under request of the*********'s. As far as the 5 pallets are concerned, we gave them the extra pallets and did not charge them. This is our second response to the Better Business regarding this matter. Per our attorney, there will be no other comments from myself in regards to this matter to either the*********'s or the Better Business Bureau moving forward from here on out. Respectfully, Steve Mansfield

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