Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/01/2024

  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.

  We hired RI Renovations, LLC to renovate our house in March, 2024. The deposit was $5000 to draw up architectural plans, a site survey, and to file permits. Deposit was paid on 3/25/24. On 4/29/24 we met with the architect and ****. My wife, an engineer, drew up plans and the architect took a photo to work it up further. We were told we will review preliminary plans, make any changes, and sign off on it in approval. I then received sudden news that I would be out of work for 1 year and needed two surgeries. On 5/3/24, I called RI Renovations to put the project on hold and not to move forward with any work including the plans. On 6/3/24 I called and asked if we could only do the kitchen and bathroom. I was given an unrealistic time-line much longer than the original time-line that included an addition to the house. They claimed we would need to be out of the house for two months.On 7/19/24 I asked to cancel the project and to charge me for the architect's time spent on the project and for their time to measure the property.On 7/20/24 **** texted me that the plans were already completed and she will drop them off next week. On 8/05/24, I called the architect's office to pick up the completed plans. The plans were still not completed and no work had been done to them. I asked them not to do any further work on it because I cancelled the project and I need to find out how much money is due. The architect office told me RI renovations will pay them for the time they spent measuring the property and the time spent on the preliminary plans only. On 8/08/24 **** texted me that she approved the plans on her own. We did not get a chance to review or approve them. She said she will drop them off next week with an itemized receipt I had asked for. I asked her when next week and she replied she's on vacation but "it will be shortly". She then disappeared for 49 days and I received the plans by mail with a receipt with one line item of "architectural plan" for $5000.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/12/2024

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.

  Business Response

  Date: 10/18/2024

  Good morning!  I am writing in response to the complaint from the homeowner; *** Gamee.  Like he had mentioned, we were hired to build an addition which would be an extension of his existing kitchen and new bathroom.  We did ask for a $5000 deposit to start the process of the architectural plans, survey, and permit process.  We did receive his $5000 deposit which was off of the estimate that he has attached to your portal.  I did start the process of getting the survey started as well as the architectural plan started.  During the drawing process; the homeowner had advised me that he had some health issues and would have to put the project on hold.  At the point that he had advised me of putting the project on hold, most of the plan had already been completed.  The only part of the architectural plan that was needed for completion was getting the plan from a preliminary state to a final plan which is very minimal work.  I advised the homeowner that we would get him the completed architectural plan that he had paid for so that he would have it for him self or a potential home buyer in the future.  The homeowner was fine with my explanation.  He did have to wait for me to mail out the plan and to provide an itemized completed bill which I have attached.  I knew that he was in the middle of two surgeries and we were right in the middle of our busy season so there was a delay in getting him the completed plan.  He does have what he paid for.  I charged him for the work that was completed.  I don't owe him anything and he does not owe me anything either.  I do want to note that he did put a complaint through the ** Contractor's registration board as well as placing a complaint through the BBB.  The ****************** did not feel that we had done anything wrong that would warrant the complaint to move forward.  You can see their explanation attached.  If there is anything that you need further than this; please let me know as I would be happy to provide anything that is needed.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/23/2024

  Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

  [You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.  If you do not enter a reason for your rejection, your complaint will be closed as Answered.]
  
  Due to health issues, I was required to have 2 surgeries and I put the project on hold 4 days after the architect visited my home. I specifically asked for the architect to stop the work on the project. I did not see or approve the preliminary plans. When I canceled the project, I was told that the plans were completed but when I checked with the architects office, I was told that the plans were preliminary and were not finished. Yet, the contractor was telling me that they were completed. I asked for an itemized receipt. After 49 days, I got a receipt for $5,000 for plans that I did not see or approve. I was advised by the Rhode Island ************************** to take the business to court.
  
  

  Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
  
  FAQ
  
  Regards,

  *****

   

   

  Business Response

  Date: 11/18/2024

  On the rejection; it seems that there isn't any new information.  

  On 3/27/2024- The homeowner had agreed to the work and had paid a deposit.  At that time; I had already contacted the town of ********* to find out the set backs and the zoning process. I had also contacted ***************** and had the process started on the survey and had received a proposal.  I had also contacted the architect and had met with him and had several phone conversations about the work to be completed.  We had met the architect on site at the property on; 4/29.  This allowed him to finish the layout and have the majority of the plan completed.  The homeowner had called me on 5/6 to tell me that he was not going to continue the project.  I advised him that the majority of the work was completed at that time and that we would take the preliminary project to a final plan and not have any changes made so that it would not cost anything more than what we had already charged.  The homeowner agreed to this.  The homeowner has everything that he paid for.  The ********************* reviewed the claim as well and had advised us that we did not do anything wrong which I attached to this portal.  Please let me know if you need anything further in order to put a close on this claim.

  **** *****

  RI Renovtions

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

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/18/2024

  Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

  [You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.  If you do not enter a reason for your rejection, your complaint will be closed as Answered.]
  
  Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
  
  FAQ
  
  Regards,

  *****