ComplaintsforMaryland Home Remodeling, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  08/23/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Entered into contract with Maryland Home Remodeling to build a patio and gave a $2,725.00 deposit. Due to Covid it took longer than expected to get a permit but once received we were told different start dates about the project. Due to lack of communication we asked for a return of our deposit less any expenses. He agreed but he then over charged us for the permit. The fee he paid was $98.00 but he charged us $700. When asked why I was told it was for administrative expenses yet in addition to this charge he charged $250.00 for an administrative expense. He would not give any reasons of what these charges were for. In addition since we paid $650.00 for drawings for the patio we asked for a copy but he told us we would have to go to the county as he did not keep copies.

  Business response

  09/09/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/08/24) */ To whom it may concern. We have received a cancelation request by our client in question, and We have , on several occasions told our client that the delay was not on our part, but by , new county guide lines. I relayed this information to our client , along with the dates I was told by the county officials as to when we were to expect the permit. . This information was updated for several times by the county, and each time it changed. This caused further delays in our clients job.I informed our client we could not start the job until we received the necessary paperwork( PERMIT) )and unfortunately, this was not what he wanted to here. I never lied, or mislead him when I told him what I have been told, and yes the dates that I gave him were changed several times, and now you know why. On 6/26/2021 My client informed me that he was no longer going to do the project because of a lack of communication. I informed him I was always in contact with him about the application process, it just was a part of the process I had no control over. He l ask for a full refund, when I informed him that there are fees associated with the contract that I need to go over, and the refund process could take at least 30 days. he was not willing to wait the 30 days, he wanted his money back less the permit of 98.00. I again informed him that it was not that simple, if the job was going to be canceled, he would have to pay for the services provided up to date. This again, made him mad, to the point he called or emailed ever other day to check on the status. I informed him I was out of town, and would followed up on the charges when I got back, however, I knew of some of the charges at that point. I informed him of the charges on 8/3 in a email, and again he got very angry and at that point started to threaten me with complaint allegations. I informed him that he had every right to file complaints with whom ever, however, to make sure his complaint is correct and legitimate. I again told him I was still out of town and would follow up with my office manager when I got back. It happens to be my job to look at the work done and charge the client accordingly. Keep in mind, I sent him an email 8/3/2021 with the break down of the charges ,and told him the check would go out when I got back in town for an approval. It was at that time that he told me that I was ripping them off with the charges, at thats when I told him that insults were not welcome. I am a professional, and have been in business for over 37 years, and not once have I been accused of price gouging, or ripping off clients. We do, however, feel that charges were do , as we would in any other case, for time put into the project. The administrating fee he keeps referring to is not the time spent specifically on the permit, but time in the office setting up the account, maintenance of the account, phone calls to county, scheduling with subs,filings of proper paperwork on the contract, emails, phone call conversations, etc. The drawings he is also referring to will come from the county, as I stated to him, we were never issued the drawings back, and this is normal, as the drawings are stamped and to be held on location, and in that case would be his house. I told him of this, and he again made inappropriate statements about my being a businessman. In closing, I have been upfront with this client, I have given him information straight from the county officials. I have had to explain to all of my clients that time delays are to be expected as materials were extremely difficult to get, due to manufacturing layoffs, material inventory, weather, manpower, and permitting time delays. (COVID) I understand his frustration, and told him that. I also told him had he not canceled the job, it most likely would be done right now. The refund check was sent out on 8/19/2021 and this was Also conveyed to him with a expected delivery date of 8/26/2021. THIS IS AN ESTIMATE FROM OUR BANK AS TO THE DELIVERY DATE. I feel I have done everything I can to bring this to an end, and do it professionally. I informed him on 8/23 that his account was closed, and I was done with the refund process. I hope you can see that although my client was upset about the situation, I tried to close this account fairly and professional. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2021/08/28) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) The business response contains a number of inaccuracies. 1. When I asked for a refund I did not originally know the permit fee was $98.00 and asked for a refund less "reasonable expenses". 2. On 6/26 business stated that it would take 30 days for the refund yet he only let me know the amount on 8/3, a bit more than 30 days. 3. The amount he deducted was as follows; Permit Fee $700.00 Plans Fee $650.00 Administartive Fee $250.00 4. Since I was being charged for the Drawing of the work I asked for a copy. I was told he did not keep a copy and I would have to go to the county to get one. If he did not keep a copy what was he going to follow for the patio itself. 5. When asked why I was being charged $700 for a $98 permit I was told he had Administrative expenses. If that is the case why was I charged $250 for Administrative expenses? 6. In an email from him on 8/23 he told me "I will tell Ellen in the morning to send out a statement showing you all the charges I have already showed you. Seems pointless to me, but I will do it for you." 7. I asked if she could send by email and he said yes. Still no email and no breakdown of permit fees. Business still does not understand why I filed this complaint. All I am asking for is an accounting of the permit fee amount. I finally received his check on Aug 27.

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