Complaints

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• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/19/2024

  Type:Order 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 hired McD studios to develop architectural designs and manage the permitting process with the DC DOB after a tree hit my house in July 14, 2023. The contact that I signed was for $16,000 and I have paid them $18,515 so far. They added costs above the original estimate, which I did not agree to as part of the final project. Since this was an accident, I have an insurance check to cover the repairs which I told them I had a specific budget that I needed to cover the costs of the repairs.They added costs for an engineer that was not part of the original contract. Since they are in charge of permitting, they have stopped the permitting process. This means that the builders can't complete the repairs because a permit is required. MCD Studio has halted the permitting process because they say I owe engineering fees which were not included in the contact and cost estimates that I signed (attached).I have paid them the total costs that I agreed to in the contract. I would like them to complete the permitting process so that repairs to my house can continue.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/19/2024

  Regarding Complaint ID ********; *****************************
  
  We are extremely disappointed to see this review as we had believed this issue was resolved directly with ******************** in May of 2024 as we completed the remainder of our work for this project immediately once the outstanding account balance was paid, and we even waived the final $500 payment for the architectural fee.
  
  Our proposal to ********************, which is included in her complaint, listed a fee of $16,000 for the Architectural Work.  It also lists exclusions that are not included in that fee.  Those exclusions, which are clearly listed on the proposal, include Structural Engineering and any permit application and review fees as required by Washington, **, and any other local jurisdictions requiring additional permits.
  
  Engineering and permitting related fees are variable and often depend on the final design and scope of the project, which is why they are listed as exclusions.  This is discussed with all our Clients before the start of the project.
  
  We did discuss these fees with ********************, and were even directed to pay the permit application fee on her behalf (we give our clients the option to pay these directly or have us pay them on their behalf as a reimbursable expense)
  
  ******************* was very complimentary of our design work throughout the entire process, however once we invoiced for the additional engineering and permit related fees, she indicated she did not intend to pay those fees and wanted MCDStudio to cover those costs out of our Architectural Fee.
  
  When it was clear we were not going to receive payment, we did stop work. 
  
  Between April and May of 2024, ************************* of MCDStudio worked with ******************** to resolve this issue and the building permit was issued on 5/3/2024.
  
  We see the original design agreement has been included in this complaint, which does correctly identify the exclusions.  That is an accurate copy of that document.  We are also uploading two e-mail chains and a text message thread.
  
  Exhibit 1, an e-mail chain from May 3rd indicates to us that the issue was resolved and ******************** was satisfied. 
  
  Exhibit 2, another e-mail where ******************** thanks us.
  
  Exhibit 3,a text message exchange between ******************** and ******************************* where ***************** was directed to pay the initial application fee on Ms. ********* behalf.

  We hope this can conclude this matter and that MCDStudio can be exonerated from this complaint.  Please reach out for additional information if needed.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/28/2024

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: 21537976
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Agreed, the design was excellent. However, the management of the permitting process and issue resolution for the $4,000 engineering fee was unsatisfactory, which caused a four month delay in the project. 
  
  1) I signed a contract with a very open-ended clause around costs, which, in hindsight, I regret that I signed it, I should have asked more questions to clarify the "industry standard costs."
  
  2) An engineer came to my house and was unclear about the assignment, had literally no idea his purpose.
  
  3) I gave McDStudio a very comprehensive overview of the damage to my house from the insurance company.
  
  4) When I asked about the engineering fees, $4,000 on a $16,000 contact, I was told that it was industry standard with no further explaination.
  
  5) MCDStudio sent me a link to pay for permitting with the **** which I followed and the permit was listed as not complete.
  
  6) Over the course of 4 months, I called and emailed MCD Studio and they did not return my calls or emails.
  
  7) Finally, I called the *** to figure out why the permit wasn't showing up. The *** told me that MCDStudio had stopped responding to them.
  
  8) I was very upset about this development and found out from my contractor that MCDStudio had stopped working on the permitting process since I hadn't paid the engineering fee, which they never bothered to explain outside of "industry standard." So I paid it.
  
  9) SInce MCD had stopped responding to me and the **** I called the *** on a weekly basis to get a project report. If I'm calling the *** on a weekly basis, then I'm managing the process and not MCD Studio.
  
  It's true that they knocked off $500 in fees, which feels paltry since 1) they caused a four month delay in the project and 2) I was reaching out to the *** on a weekly basis.
  
  Thanks!
  *****************************
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/09/2024

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: 21537976
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  MCDStudio was hired to produce architectural designs and manage the DC permitting process to complete home repairs. During the permitting process, MCDStudio was unresponsive to calls, requests for updates, and emails from city agencies. They also ignored emails and calls from me asking for updates on the permitting process, As a result of their inaction, the project was delayed by four months. Recently, **** issued a stop work order because we didn't have a permit from them. Although MCDStudio was hired to manage the permitting process, they neglected to tell me that I needed a consulting and parking permit from ****. When my contactor called them to seek help and clarification, they again ignored his calls. I am currently managing DDOT myself although MCDStudio was hired to manage the permitting process. As of 12/06, **** issued a stop work order while their permitting process takes place. This will add at least 30 to 45 days in delays to complete the project. Since MCDStudio completed botched the permitting process, I am seeking a partial refund of the fees paid.
  

  
  

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

  Business Response

  Date: 12/09/2024

  The building permit, which was approved based on the drawings produced by MCDStudio our consultants was approved and issued on 5/3/2024.  With that, our work associated with this project was completed.  DDOT, is an acronym for *************************************, and is not part of our architectural scope of services.

  This issue was addressed and closed with our last response with the BBB, this is now reaching the point of harassment and needs to stop.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/09/2024

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: 21537976
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  Please help me understand why permitting from **** is considered out of scope? Permits from **** are required to as part of the building process to cover repairs to the driveway and parking for construction vehicles.
  

  Here is the section of the proposal covering permitting. 
  

  Permit/Construction Drawings
  1. Create permit drawings to obtain a building permit in **********, ** and for construction of this project.
  2. Respond to any permit comments that may come up as part of the review process.
  
  This process would be a lot easier if you answered calls and emails from me or **** instead of ignoring them.

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

  
  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/10/2024

  In discussing this further with the General Contractor for this project, we learned that this additional "DDOT" related work was due to work they are completing related to the driveway outside our scope of work shown in the drawings.  We had no idea this work was taking place, and we were also never informed by Ms. ******** that she was again upset until she began harassing us through both our ****** review platform and the BBB.   We have no association with this additional work, and I hope Ms. ******** will stop harassing and trying to cyber bully this firm.