ComplaintsforGrove Contracting Inc

• Initial Complaint

  08/29/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  8-19-22 found Grove Custom Homes BBB MD site accredited. Called Mr ********************** that morning described removal “load bearing wall”. My husband recommended someone who had Home Building background as the wall was structural. He said he had decades of Commercial and Residential Builder’s experience, as well as Commercial Roofing exp from MD, Midwest to FL and back in MD. He asked what I was looking for in my Estimate. I needed to know: the cost to remove all 40’ of the wall, the class and cost of I Beam, how many if any support posts needed. Could everything be clad in stainable pine. That entire cost. Second option, to do kitchen section first as above, then do larger Living rm section after kitchen remodel same way. I couldn’t proceed with my kitchen till that part of the wall was down. If he reviewed the site, attic, crawl space and saw the wall with rooms yup, he could break it out into whole wall, and two parter. I also wanted Start finish date, permits in our name and a timeline of entire project including Permits. When he arrived in a legit work truck, it was bizarre: He spent (generously) 20 min walked the exterior, came inside, walked the two rms on one side wall and two on other. Never looked in attic or crawlspace. Then he spent hours having coffee and talking nonsense; discussing strange conspiracy matters, archeology everything but my job! Three times I directed him back to the wall? The third time he said he’d send his designer out, that way we could submit drawings and get his permit gal looking into fee’s, he’d email me the estimate Monday, he liked to pray about such things in the morning get the Spirit’s input. As he was pricing two scenarios I waited till Wednesday then called. That’s when he said he had to send the designer IN ORDER TO DO Estimate , okay when. Oh, more $$. No, I paid for a detailed scope of work, start finish date Estimate. If you needed an advisor they should have come w you! Your check says Estimate! I’d pay more AFTER ESTIMATE

  Business response

  11/09/2022

  From: ***** Grove <grovecontractinginc@*********>
  Date: Tue, Nov 8, 2022 at 10:28 AM
  Subject: Re: *************************** Complaint (********))
  To: *********************** <************************************>
  
  We spoke up front about our fees  $750.00 for structural Consulting ,
  also told her that the 750.00 would be credited upon approved contract 
  She agreed she also explained that it was only a wall that she was questioning. After my look around the house ,The wall was fine to remove. Then came the renovation part which she explained she wanted plumbing electrical and specialties finishes with collums and a finished laundry room area and more, requires permits which also require 
  drafting plans. When I explained this to her she was fine with it. Then the very next day she was talking about doing the a work  herself.
  2 days later she was calling over and over wanting her money back.
  She also used nasty accusations against me  personally. Then the threats began for a month.
  
  She sure was a nice person when we did the Consulting.
  

  
  

  Customer response

  12/19/2022

  [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: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  From: * ***** <********@***********>
  Date: Mon, Dec 19, 2022 at 11:40 AM
  Subject: I, ******** ***** reject the response from ***** *****, and ask please reopen my Complaint #********
  To: *******@mybbb.org <*******@mybbb.org>, Business Bureau Better <[email protected]>

  Dear Mr. Dennis 
  RE: complaint # 17786443
  Please let me know if you need duplicates of originally submitted records.
  
  I have read *** ***** *****’s response sent to me November 19, 2022.  I reject his reply and continue to request that the BBB complaint be decided against ** *****’s accreditation with you.  All my documents provided with my original Complaint consistently and constantly reference “Estimate”.  I wholeheartedly know I merit a full refund.
  First I wish to state the obvious.  I have gotten a new walkway, new roof, and new gutters as well as an Estimate on Windows all in 2022.  The process has been identical.
  The Vendor/Contractor met with me, reviewed the scope of the job and within hours to a few days they emailed me an Estimate.  The Estimate outlined the entire scope of my job.  Using my Roof as example: it outlined the Manufacturer, type, style and color.  The six step process-products offered, warranty information, removal of existing roof (tear off), 6 sheets plywood free after that the cost, and so on.  Ending with a price.  Once I chose the Roofer THEIR WRITTEN ESTIMATE LEAD TO A WRITTEN CONTRACT where I requested a start and completion date, the fee structure as outlined etc.  Every home we’ve had, any improvement we wanted to do started with having a Vendor coming to see the job and prividing a Written Estimate.  If one doesn’t know the cost, how can one possibly know if they can go forward with their plans.  They can’t it doesn’t make logical, legal or Business sense. For the roof I got 1/2 dozen Estimates to compare. 
  I wanted to remove a Roof Bearing wall.  So I attempted to get Estimates.  This job proved very difficult to find Structural Engineers or Architects, that were referred, to come and have interest in my small job.  
  I decided to contact a “Home Builder” as they would have structural knowledge and be able to provide the Estimate I needed.  I chose to search the Maryland BBB “accredited” Contractors-Home Builder’s believing  1) find an honest and professional Contractor 2) Be protected, have an advocate should anything go wrong, by that I mean going into the work.  It NEVER occurred to me getting the Estimate would be the scam!
  ***** ***** listed as Grove Custom Homes, in Hughesville, perfect minutes away.  
  I spoke to ***** ***** on Friday August 19th.  I told him what I wanted to do.  Specifically I needed an estimate to remove my roof bearing wall.  1) removal of the smaller section of wall (kitchen), and 2) the cost to remove the entire 40’ wall.  I had no idea the cost because I didn’t know what was required to support the roof…
  I ABSOLUTELY CONTACTED BRIAN GROVE FOR AN written ESTIMATE.  Without that I had no idea the cost.  I would never obligate myself to any Vendor or purchase of any kind unless I knew the cost first.  Getting the Estimate in two ways meant  if the cost was bigger than my budget I could start with the kitchen (smaller section of wall) and have him come back and remove the balance as I saved up.
  He said he was on a job, but could meet me Sunday (8/21).
  He absolutely did disclose that he charges for Estimates, $750, but if I like him, and agree to the Estimate that $750 gets applied to costs of the job, like a deposit.  He said he was going to look at everything Roof, basement, attic that to provide an accurate Estimate he’d be at our home for 2-3 hrs..  **this proves (I mean seriously) that he understood the purpose, and content of a Written Estimate,  he said all the time he comes out, gives his time, sends the Estimate and the homeowner took the information “scope of the job” and did it themselves.  So, he started charging for Estimates.  I said no, I was very serious about removing the wall.  I just needed an Estimate to decide if it was in my budget.  That’s when he made sure to say that the $750 would be a deposit if I went forward after getting his Estimate.
  I NEVER GOT THAT ESTIMATE.  
  In my complaint I already described his time here.  He didn’t look at anything except the wall.  And he was here for three hours talking about Noah’s Ark, the Arch of the Covenant…I spoke about Christ.  Perhaps that’s what’s so upsetting that he used my love of Christ to cheat me.  I even had to say, after he had two cups coffee and wasn’t winding down, ***** can we talk about my wall!  I know, he distracted us, played us…**BUT THAT DOESNT CHANGE THAT I PAID FIR A WRITTEN ESTIMATE AND HE NEVER PROVIDED ONE.
  In the many documents I provided with my Complaint on August 29, 2022 are two most important:
  1) ** ***** asked me to send him an email outlining what I needed in my Estimate.  If you look at that the SUBJECT IS “MEETING AND ESTIMATE”.  Written on the day we met.  Further proof that ** ***** ABSOLUTELY COMMITED TO PROVIDING ME A WRITTEN ESTIMATE for that $750, is he replied to getting my email “got it”.  That he mail is no different from this one, too long and very detailed about the facts of the job all in a clear attempt to receive an Estimate.  If we hadn’t agreement, and he is the Christian Professional certainly he would have written “no ******** I’m not doing an estimate.”.  But he didn’t, his statement “got it” is an agreement to to contents of that email which is all about the job and Estimate.  It says Estimate at the top!
  2) My check, which he cashed after I called and texted about needing the Estimate, states “Estimate-Deposit “ to reflect exactly what HE DISCLOSED ON THE PHONE, that he was charging me $750 for a written Estimate and 1) if I didn’t go forward with a contract then yup, he gets the $750, but if I agree to his Estimate, he would write a Contract, and apply the $750 towards future cost of the job.  All of which sounded fine to me.  I documented that agreement by stating the check was first Estimate and then Deposit.
  My email confirms everything I said about him to be true.  The hours long talk.  No time for attic, basement or roof!  From my end Christ and Scripture once he started.  On his end, I called it the ***** ***** Lecture and said, politely we wouldn’t do that every time!  My email outlines everything I could think of about cost to put on the Estimate.  I told him, until the kitchen wall was down, I was stuck.  I also make it clear all I needed was the wall or walls removed, the I Beam, and required posts installed and existing electrical taped off and left for inspection.
  It says Estimate everywhere within hours of our meeting he read this email, and confirmed it!  I ask for Total Cost including Permits, and state FYI permits in our name.  There is no doubt with these two documents alone, that he agreed to provide me a Written Estimate for which he accepted $750.
  I realize now, all his agreeable conversations after 8-19-22 were stalling to have my check clear.  It wasn’t until after the check cleared that he showed his true purpose and nature as a scammer or their.  He had no intention of ever providing an Estimate, his entire meeting was for the sole purpose of taking my money and doing nothing.
  This is a scam.  At the time ** ***** and I met, I had gone thru 6 surgeries on my eyes as a result of my illness (Systemic  Lupus Erethematosis), my husband was still on his cane having his entire back rebuilt.  I believe because we were honest, kind and weak *** ***** thought he could take the money and we’d let it go.
  In October I was told my heart is failing.  I worked when I met and married my husband.  Now, he works for a City Municipality usually 10-12 hr days.  I cannot watch my husband exhausted and let someone just take $750 that *** ***** doesn’t have legal or moral rights to, and I cannot let *** ***** think he can use Christ just as a tool, a lie (for him) to steal!  He needs to be shown what he did was wrong.
  When he was here, he said walls could come out and he’d “pray” Monday morning about the fair Estimate.  That’s when he asked for the Estimate email, overview of job.
  I know Contractors get busy, didn’t get anything from him Monday (20th).  I texted him Tuesday (copy provide), my husband was having test Inova, told him we’d be around rest of week…email said Estimate and reminded him that he charged me for it.  By the way, I have since found out Businesses cannot charge for Estimates.  Once an Estimate is provided, agreed upon and Consumer agrees to Contract, THEN they can get a deposit.  Clearly, it is understood that the Vendor has to provide the cost of the obligation before the Consumer can obligate themselves and then owe money!
  After *** ***** cashed my check, when I called him, he changed his story.  Saying he needed to have his designer come and have his Permit “gal” pull permits.  I said I had no clue what he was saying, that FIRST HE OWED ME AN ESTIMATE.  I cannot agree to hire him, go forward until he gives me what I paid for, the Estimate.
  Again, if he were honest or professional he would have provided an Estimate, but he never did.  Realizing he planned this, intentionally kept us busy w his talking…and never intended to give me an Estimate, because he never intended to do any work.  
  I said yes to his fee for the Estimate because I really need the small wall down.  Seeing us he thought if he cashed my check we’d let it go, but he will keep doing this.  And he preys on the weak.
  ** ***** states “structural consulting fee”.  From every document you have in my complaint, on the day we met, before I knew anything was wrong…I constantly and consistently write “Estimate” including on the check.  On the day of our meeting, he accepted the check.  I’ve already said from a place of logic, one gets an Estimate (free), then one goes to a contract w fee structure.  But let’s say *** ***** did say he was charging me a consulting fee, no strings, why didn’t he have me change my check.  Because IF HE REALLY DID SAY ANYTHING OF THE SORT, I WOULD NEVER HAVE GIVEN HIM A CHECK.  He says  “he looked around the house”.  He never states he did what he promised on the phone look at the Attic,basement and roof.  To offer a structural assessment, to provide a proper estimate looking at the wall tells him nothing.  
  Legally, he’s not entitled to charge for an Estimate, regardless.  ***** ***** never fulfilled the agreement proven by my check, and the email sent the day we met.  Additionally, my texts (provided), show I gave him several opportunities to return my money.  Realizing he’s a thief, I told him to lie about Christ…theJudgement he will face isn’t something I want for him.  I said it would be better for him to do the right thing.  I never threatened him.
  Regarding the other “work, plumbing etc”.  Nothing if the sort is in the email.  I made it clear I wanted the wall gone in a sound manner, the electrical safely taped.  Oh, I did want to clad the I beam/any posts in wood.  He asked me why I wanted such a big kitchen.  I said it would be all be space, but I PLANNED TO MOVE OUR LAUNDRY ROOM there, include a mud room and pantry.
  No where in our discussion or the email do you see me ask him to include what was merely an answer to his question.  Again, I believe he has done this before and will continue.  His talking, talking distracts the consumer but allows him to include truths as lies!
  My informing him of filing the Complaint, and doing what you (Mr. Dennis) said filing a complaint with the MD AG Office (nothing has been done), was because I couldn’t believe this man would persist in ruining his BBB standing to steal $750?  I cannot explain why people are evil.  I can only point you to my documents.  Everything says Estimate, because that’s absolutely what I needed.  *** ***** could not provide a proper Estimate.  By that I mean accurate structurally, materials, process.  I doubt *** ***** has the knowledge and most certainly doesn’t have the skill to execute the removal of a support wall 40’.  
  His entire meeting with me.  His offer to provide an Estimate for his fee was clearly a lie from the beginning.  Once found out, he says, no no.  It was Structural Consulting.  Show me once, just once where I used Consulting.  No.  Additionally, he must be corrected, he cannot charge anyone a fee without providing a formal Estimate for a person to reasonably commit themselves.
  Without an Estimate, he could tell me I owe him $100,000.  Once he said, “I need my designer to come out to know what has to be done”, I knew he has no knowledge.  I told him, I paid for an Estimate.  If you needed your designer (doesn’t exist, or his Lermit Gal) he should have been here Sunday.  But no way would I give you a dime without the Estimate you agreed to.  That’s when he got very nasty.  I never contacted him again, I filed the Complaint.
  I believed what the BBB says on their recording, that you are there to protect the Consumer.  But all that has happened is this Grifter is being supported and no one is acting on what is obvious, that I am telling the truth, and have proven the truth.  I think a Policy that allows the Merchant 70,80,90 days to respond, and gives the injured Consumer 10 days is unfair.  I personally will never use BBB again for Referrals.
  I am very grateful that *** ****** contacted me in spite of my error (10 days).
  I am sincerely asking that BBB review my email, check and other documents provided.  There is no doubt the check $750 was given in agreement for an Estimate.  As such, *** ***** was never entitled to charge me, never entitled to keep MY funds and respectfully I request a refund and that all of his DBA’s be flagged with my complaint or whatever the BBB can do (Grove Custom Homes, ***** ***** Contracting etc).
  I can only say, that if I were the Contractor or Merchant, I would have chosen to return the money upon request, knowing all he did was take 3 hrs talking about his conspiracies, drink my coffee and decide he was going to steal from us.  
  I am really not doing well.  I’m supposed to schedule my heart MRI, instead because I missed the deadline.  I have spent my morning making certain I got my Letter of Rejection to ** ****** ASAP.  I would ask you make your decision.  Although I’m happy to answer ANY QUESTIONS you might have.  I just don’t know what more to say, how to convince you?  And, I suspect I need to focus on getting my heart stable.
  Thank you for this opportunity to reopen my case, again apologies for misreading.
  I pray you find my documents and cashed check definitive.
  Thank you for your consideration,
  Sharmila L****
  Complaint #********
  ************
  I have since found out, Vendors cannot charge for Estimates.  They can take a deposit one they provide the Estimate (no charge) and the consumer has agreed to it.  That is step two, that the Estimate leads to a written Contract (like my Roofer)
  

  Regards,

  
  ******** *****

  Customer response

  12/19/2022

  [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: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  From: * ***** <********@***********>
  Date: Mon, Dec 19, 2022 at 11:40 AM
  Subject: I, ******** ***** reject the response from ***** *****, and ask please reopen my Complaint #********
  To: *******@mybbb.org <*******@mybbb.org>, Business Bureau Better <[email protected]>

  Dear Mr. Dennis 
  RE: complaint # 17786443
  Please let me know if you need duplicates of originally submitted records.
  
  I have read *** ***** *****’s response sent to me November 19, 2022.  I reject his reply and continue to request that the BBB complaint be decided against ** *****’s accreditation with you.  All my documents provided with my original Complaint consistently and constantly reference “Estimate”.  I wholeheartedly know I merit a full refund.
  First I wish to state the obvious.  I have gotten a new walkway, new roof, and new gutters as well as an Estimate on Windows all in 2022.  The process has been identical.
  The Vendor/Contractor met with me, reviewed the scope of the job and within hours to a few days they emailed me an Estimate.  The Estimate outlined the entire scope of my job.  Using my Roof as example: it outlined the Manufacturer, type, style and color.  The six step process-products offered, warranty information, removal of existing roof (tear off), 6 sheets plywood free after that the cost, and so on.  Ending with a price.  Once I chose the Roofer THEIR WRITTEN ESTIMATE LEAD TO A WRITTEN CONTRACT where I requested a start and completion date, the fee structure as outlined etc.  Every home we’ve had, any improvement we wanted to do started with having a Vendor coming to see the job and prividing a Written Estimate.  If one doesn’t know the cost, how can one possibly know if they can go forward with their plans.  They can’t it doesn’t make logical, legal or Business sense. For the roof I got 1/2 dozen Estimates to compare. 
  I wanted to remove a Roof Bearing wall.  So I attempted to get Estimates.  This job proved very difficult to find Structural Engineers or Architects, that were referred, to come and have interest in my small job.  
  I decided to contact a “Home Builder” as they would have structural knowledge and be able to provide the Estimate I needed.  I chose to search the Maryland BBB “accredited” Contractors-Home Builder’s believing  1) find an honest and professional Contractor 2) Be protected, have an advocate should anything go wrong, by that I mean going into the work.  It NEVER occurred to me getting the Estimate would be the scam!
  ***** ***** listed as Grove Custom Homes, in Hughesville, perfect minutes away.  
  I spoke to ***** ***** on Friday August 19th.  I told him what I wanted to do.  Specifically I needed an estimate to remove my roof bearing wall.  1) removal of the smaller section of wall (kitchen), and 2) the cost to remove the entire 40’ wall.  I had no idea the cost because I didn’t know what was required to support the roof…
  I ABSOLUTELY CONTACTED BRIAN GROVE FOR AN written ESTIMATE.  Without that I had no idea the cost.  I would never obligate myself to any Vendor or purchase of any kind unless I knew the cost first.  Getting the Estimate in two ways meant  if the cost was bigger than my budget I could start with the kitchen (smaller section of wall) and have him come back and remove the balance as I saved up.
  He said he was on a job, but could meet me Sunday (8/21).
  He absolutely did disclose that he charges for Estimates, $750, but if I like him, and agree to the Estimate that $750 gets applied to costs of the job, like a deposit.  He said he was going to look at everything Roof, basement, attic that to provide an accurate Estimate he’d be at our home for 2-3 hrs..  **this proves (I mean seriously) that he understood the purpose, and content of a Written Estimate,  he said all the time he comes out, gives his time, sends the Estimate and the homeowner took the information “scope of the job” and did it themselves.  So, he started charging for Estimates.  I said no, I was very serious about removing the wall.  I just needed an Estimate to decide if it was in my budget.  That’s when he made sure to say that the $750 would be a deposit if I went forward after getting his Estimate.
  I NEVER GOT THAT ESTIMATE.  
  In my complaint I already described his time here.  He didn’t look at anything except the wall.  And he was here for three hours talking about Noah’s Ark, the Arch of the Covenant…I spoke about Christ.  Perhaps that’s what’s so upsetting that he used my love of Christ to cheat me.  I even had to say, after he had two cups coffee and wasn’t winding down, ***** can we talk about my wall!  I know, he distracted us, played us…**BUT THAT DOESNT CHANGE THAT I PAID FIR A WRITTEN ESTIMATE AND HE NEVER PROVIDED ONE.
  In the many documents I provided with my Complaint on August 29, 2022 are two most important:
  1) ** ***** asked me to send him an email outlining what I needed in my Estimate.  If you look at that the SUBJECT IS “MEETING AND ESTIMATE”.  Written on the day we met.  Further proof that ** ***** ABSOLUTELY COMMITED TO PROVIDING ME A WRITTEN ESTIMATE for that $750, is he replied to getting my email “got it”.  That he mail is no different from this one, too long and very detailed about the facts of the job all in a clear attempt to receive an Estimate.  If we hadn’t agreement, and he is the Christian Professional certainly he would have written “no ******** I’m not doing an estimate.”.  But he didn’t, his statement “got it” is an agreement to to contents of that email which is all about the job and Estimate.  It says Estimate at the top!
  2) My check, which he cashed after I called and texted about needing the Estimate, states “Estimate-Deposit “ to reflect exactly what HE DISCLOSED ON THE PHONE, that he was charging me $750 for a written Estimate and 1) if I didn’t go forward with a contract then yup, he gets the $750, but if I agree to his Estimate, he would write a Contract, and apply the $750 towards future cost of the job.  All of which sounded fine to me.  I documented that agreement by stating the check was first Estimate and then Deposit.
  My email confirms everything I said about him to be true.  The hours long talk.  No time for attic, basement or roof!  From my end Christ and Scripture once he started.  On his end, I called it the ***** ***** Lecture and said, politely we wouldn’t do that every time!  My email outlines everything I could think of about cost to put on the Estimate.  I told him, until the kitchen wall was down, I was stuck.  I also make it clear all I needed was the wall or walls removed, the I Beam, and required posts installed and existing electrical taped off and left for inspection.
  It says Estimate everywhere within hours of our meeting he read this email, and confirmed it!  I ask for Total Cost including Permits, and state FYI permits in our name.  There is no doubt with these two documents alone, that he agreed to provide me a Written Estimate for which he accepted $750.
  I realize now, all his agreeable conversations after 8-19-22 were stalling to have my check clear.  It wasn’t until after the check cleared that he showed his true purpose and nature as a scammer or their.  He had no intention of ever providing an Estimate, his entire meeting was for the sole purpose of taking my money and doing nothing.
  This is a scam.  At the time ** ***** and I met, I had gone thru 6 surgeries on my eyes as a result of my illness (Systemic  Lupus Erethematosis), my husband was still on his cane having his entire back rebuilt.  I believe because we were honest, kind and weak *** ***** thought he could take the money and we’d let it go.
  In October I was told my heart is failing.  I worked when I met and married my husband.  Now, he works for a City Municipality usually 10-12 hr days.  I cannot watch my husband exhausted and let someone just take $750 that *** ***** doesn’t have legal or moral rights to, and I cannot let *** ***** think he can use Christ just as a tool, a lie (for him) to steal!  He needs to be shown what he did was wrong.
  When he was here, he said walls could come out and he’d “pray” Monday morning about the fair Estimate.  That’s when he asked for the Estimate email, overview of job.
  I know Contractors get busy, didn’t get anything from him Monday (20th).  I texted him Tuesday (copy provide), my husband was having test Inova, told him we’d be around rest of week…email said Estimate and reminded him that he charged me for it.  By the way, I have since found out Businesses cannot charge for Estimates.  Once an Estimate is provided, agreed upon and Consumer agrees to Contract, THEN they can get a deposit.  Clearly, it is understood that the Vendor has to provide the cost of the obligation before the Consumer can obligate themselves and then owe money!
  After *** ***** cashed my check, when I called him, he changed his story.  Saying he needed to have his designer come and have his Permit “gal” pull permits.  I said I had no clue what he was saying, that FIRST HE OWED ME AN ESTIMATE.  I cannot agree to hire him, go forward until he gives me what I paid for, the Estimate.
  Again, if he were honest or professional he would have provided an Estimate, but he never did.  Realizing he planned this, intentionally kept us busy w his talking…and never intended to give me an Estimate, because he never intended to do any work.  
  I said yes to his fee for the Estimate because I really need the small wall down.  Seeing us he thought if he cashed my check we’d let it go, but he will keep doing this.  And he preys on the weak.
  ** ***** states “structural consulting fee”.  From every document you have in my complaint, on the day we met, before I knew anything was wrong…I constantly and consistently write “Estimate” including on the check.  On the day of our meeting, he accepted the check.  I’ve already said from a place of logic, one gets an Estimate (free), then one goes to a contract w fee structure.  But let’s say *** ***** did say he was charging me a consulting fee, no strings, why didn’t he have me change my check.  Because IF HE REALLY DID SAY ANYTHING OF THE SORT, I WOULD NEVER HAVE GIVEN HIM A CHECK.  He says  “he looked around the house”.  He never states he did what he promised on the phone look at the Attic,basement and roof.  To offer a structural assessment, to provide a proper estimate looking at the wall tells him nothing.  
  Legally, he’s not entitled to charge for an Estimate, regardless.  ***** ***** never fulfilled the agreement proven by my check, and the email sent the day we met.  Additionally, my texts (provided), show I gave him several opportunities to return my money.  Realizing he’s a thief, I told him to lie about Christ…theJudgement he will face isn’t something I want for him.  I said it would be better for him to do the right thing.  I never threatened him.
  Regarding the other “work, plumbing etc”.  Nothing if the sort is in the email.  I made it clear I wanted the wall gone in a sound manner, the electrical safely taped.  Oh, I did want to clad the I beam/any posts in wood.  He asked me why I wanted such a big kitchen.  I said it would be all be space, but I PLANNED TO MOVE OUR LAUNDRY ROOM there, include a mud room and pantry.
  No where in our discussion or the email do you see me ask him to include what was merely an answer to his question.  Again, I believe he has done this before and will continue.  His talking, talking distracts the consumer but allows him to include truths as lies!
  My informing him of filing the Complaint, and doing what you (Mr. Dennis) said filing a complaint with the MD AG Office (nothing has been done), was because I couldn’t believe this man would persist in ruining his BBB standing to steal $750?  I cannot explain why people are evil.  I can only point you to my documents.  Everything says Estimate, because that’s absolutely what I needed.  *** ***** could not provide a proper Estimate.  By that I mean accurate structurally, materials, process.  I doubt *** ***** has the knowledge and most certainly doesn’t have the skill to execute the removal of a support wall 40’.  
  His entire meeting with me.  His offer to provide an Estimate for his fee was clearly a lie from the beginning.  Once found out, he says, no no.  It was Structural Consulting.  Show me once, just once where I used Consulting.  No.  Additionally, he must be corrected, he cannot charge anyone a fee without providing a formal Estimate for a person to reasonably commit themselves.
  Without an Estimate, he could tell me I owe him $100,000.  Once he said, “I need my designer to come out to know what has to be done”, I knew he has no knowledge.  I told him, I paid for an Estimate.  If you needed your designer (doesn’t exist, or his Lermit Gal) he should have been here Sunday.  But no way would I give you a dime without the Estimate you agreed to.  That’s when he got very nasty.  I never contacted him again, I filed the Complaint.
  I believed what the BBB says on their recording, that you are there to protect the Consumer.  But all that has happened is this Grifter is being supported and no one is acting on what is obvious, that I am telling the truth, and have proven the truth.  I think a Policy that allows the Merchant 70,80,90 days to respond, and gives the injured Consumer 10 days is unfair.  I personally will never use BBB again for Referrals.
  I am very grateful that *** ****** contacted me in spite of my error (10 days).
  I am sincerely asking that BBB review my email, check and other documents provided.  There is no doubt the check $750 was given in agreement for an Estimate.  As such, *** ***** was never entitled to charge me, never entitled to keep MY funds and respectfully I request a refund and that all of his DBA’s be flagged with my complaint or whatever the BBB can do (Grove Custom Homes, ***** ***** Contracting etc).
  I can only say, that if I were the Contractor or Merchant, I would have chosen to return the money upon request, knowing all he did was take 3 hrs talking about his conspiracies, drink my coffee and decide he was going to steal from us.  
  I am really not doing well.  I’m supposed to schedule my heart MRI, instead because I missed the deadline.  I have spent my morning making certain I got my Letter of Rejection to ** ****** ASAP.  I would ask you make your decision.  Although I’m happy to answer ANY QUESTIONS you might have.  I just don’t know what more to say, how to convince you?  And, I suspect I need to focus on getting my heart stable.
  Thank you for this opportunity to reopen my case, again apologies for misreading.
  I pray you find my documents and cashed check definitive.
  Thank you for your consideration,
  Sharmila L****
  Complaint #********
  ************
  I have since found out, Vendors cannot charge for Estimates.  They can take a deposit one they provide the Estimate (no charge) and the consumer has agreed to it.  That is step two, that the Estimate leads to a written Contract (like my Roofer)
  

  Regards,

  
  ******** *****

*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. ↩