ComplaintsforC&M Construction

• Initial Complaint

  10/26/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I called C&M to install a couple things inm a 5x4 bathroom. These things included, A small vaniety with foucet, A tub surround (no tub) with new shower head and a snap together floor with the pad already on. I payed him $3,508.41. This is just for the labor, I already had all the materials. He was there a total of about 13 hours over a couple of days. In his contract it says additional work would be billed at $65 an hour. I payed him about $270 an hour just for labor. He obvious took advantage that I was a girl and had no clue. The first day he wae there after he left everything flooded. I couldnt get ahold of him and did not know what to do. When he fianlly called me back, he asked if my dad could come since he was out of town. The vaniety was ruined after some complaining he did go but a new one but took the damaged one to repurpose for himself. Just sounds like bad buisness morals to me. Hanging the tub surround he missed the stud and it was loose. He then told my daughter that he would just use chopsticks to hold it in place. I was not home when he finished. I did text him about the carpet strip and he said I did not give him one. It was in the contract I didnt know I was supoose to get one. The toilet was just installed new a few weks before he came. After he put in back, it was cracked in the bowl like he dropped a tool on it. I have no hot water in my shower. All the other water in my house gets hot. All he kept onm saying was that mu house is old and needs alot of work, but thats why I called him. After he was done I asked for his TAX ID and he refused to supply it. He told me it was his job to report. I may rest my house after its fixed so felt I should be able to file the labor costs. Now It is going to cost me just as much as I payed him to get everything fixed. I saved a long time to pay in cash (which is all he accepted) I feel like I was just except the work he did because I am a girl and my house is old. Services were done 8/11/22

  

  Business response

  10/31/2022

  my name is ************************* and *************** to the letter that you mailed to me, dated 10/27/22.

  ID ********. 
  

  
  

  Please find attached a PDF titled BBB Response (with supporting documentation) and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

  
  

  Customer response

  11/04/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  ***********************
  1405 **************
  **************, **
  
  BBB of *********,
  
  Thank you for forwarding the response from *************************. I am sorry but I cannot accept his answer
  as a resolve to this issue.
  Yes, it is true my college daughter came home to help get this done while I was at work. The comment
  about you should of seen it before you well there was no before him. Therefore, I am not sure what
  happened there. He was there to fix it; he was my answer to get everything installed and the wall fixed.
  ***** never contacted me about extensive damages. If there were extensive, damages I would think he
  would have been there more than the 10 hours it took him to complete the whole bathroom.
  The shower panel was loose and he fixed it by showing my daughter a piece of wood that he called
  a chopstick to put the s**** in and stay tight. He did not only suggest turning the fan on, he more
  scolded her.
  After the water flooding mishap, ************************* was out of town and not able to come, asked if my dad
  could **************.
  I did ask for a final invoice thinking it would have a breakdown of cost. All he did was labor and per his
  contract, is charged at $65 an hour. I was $3,500 for 10 hours. I truly believe he took advantage of two
  girls who knew nothing about home repair. He did just reply that he did not charge me for the tile
  backer he used; I have no idea what I paid then. Even if he wants to charge me for the backer it does not
  make up the difference.
  I had already paid which is my fault completely. Since this is, my first house and first experience getting
  something fixed, now I know only to pay the down payment until I check the work. I paid him in full a
  month before he even got there. ****** Learned.
  My bathroom is 5ft x 4ft. He contracted to put shower panels on, install new shower fixture, fix the
  bubbly wall, install vanity, and a snap together floor with the padding attached.
  After he left and I got home, it was clear I was taken advantage of. I have attached pictures.
  This complaint took me so long because I first called the wrong type of service. I thought I was working
  with them to resolve the issue but then was directed to post a review and contact you instead.
  
  Thank you,
  ***********************
  Regards,
  
  ***********************

  

  Business response

  11/08/2022

  The following is to serve as my response to ****************** latest allegations.

  
  

  The work that I did, in her bathroom, was done under contract. All of the work that was contracted was completed, as well as additional work that was not billed. The contract does not state that I would be performing the contracted work on an hourly basis. It does have a provision for "additional work", Any additional work (requested by homeowner) not listed above will be performed on a time and materials basis: $65 an hour for labor plus the cost of material. A contractor's quote encompasses more than just the cost of labor; there is overhead (insurance, mileage, etc.), profit, depreciation, and material handling. I gave ******** a fair price, which she accepted

  
  

  I removed and replaced existing tub surround with customer supplied surround (glued to wall, not nailed),  removed and replaced shower fixtures with customer supplied fixtures (includes new water lines and fittings, not supplied by homeowner, to install new rough in valve for shower fixture), repaired damaged drywall (using materials not supplied by homeowner), primed drywall repair (using materials not supplied by homeowner) removed and replaced existing vanity with customer supplied vanity, installed customer supplied vanity faucet and drain (not supplied by homeowner), repaired water supply shut off valves, installed new p-trap (materials not supplied by homeowner), detached and reset toilet (wax ring not supplied by homeowner) installed customer supplied flooring and caulked.
  

   

  I had way more than 10/13 hours in this project as well as the cost of materials but that is irrelevant. The job was quoted, quote accepted and subsequently contracted. The contract was signed and paid in full 1.5 weeks prior to the start of the project. The project was completed in a timely manner.

  It is unfortunate that ******** was not present while any of the work was being performed. Perhaps we could have avoided some of this confusion if we had dealt with each other in person.

  Regarding the comment about telling her dad to ***************", I have attached a copy of the text message that I sent to ********, apologizing for the water leak and asking if it was possible to have her dad cap it temporarily. I was not flippant in any way and I did rectify the situation as soon as possible. 

  Thank you for your help in this matter,

  

  
  

  One attachment Scanned by Gmail

  Customer response

  11/08/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  Thank you for the response. 

  I can not accept this as a result. The problem is still the problem. The work he did was not professional per the pictures I have sent. He did a slap mud on the wall and left it. Contract says prime wall without paint. It is not ready to paint. All the caulk needs to come off and redone in a neat and even way. I have never heard of any business asking if A family member can come fix their mistake, no matter the wording, it was the act of the intent. He never even checked to see if the hot water worked before he left. I have to hire someone else for cosmetic, hot water and get a new toliet again. He was there 830-3:30 for 1 day with a 1.5 hour break, and the next day 8:30-3 with same break and back for 45 minutes for a faucet one morning.  I get home at 3:30 and only saw him leaving one day.  The work he did for the price does not match, He did not share that I needed any materials or that he was using or giving them. Even if he was over charging for other expenses I sure payed alot of them for such a small job. I am a teacher and it is very hard to a replacment subsistute so I can overse these things at home. For this reason my daughter came home from school. No matter who was there the job should have been done right. 
  
  Regards,
  
  ***********************

  

  Business response

  11/09/2022

  We seem to be rehashing the number of hours spent on this job.

   

  The job was contracted for a specific amount, all of the items to be performed are listed on the contract. The contract was signed and accepted. All of the work was performed according to the contract. At no point did I or the contract specify that the work done would be performed hourly. 

  The contract protects both the homeowner and the contractor, there are no hidden fees for either party.

   

  All work was performed satisfactorily and in a timely manner.

  Customer response

  11/16/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  Yes I do believe that the time is important. If ***** was there for longer than maybe I wouldn't have these problems. I have since seen the pictures he recently posted of his work at other jobs, what I got was amateur. I think he saw 2 girls and knew he could charge what ever he wanted while doing a mediocre job. I signed the contract expecting the job to be done and look nice and everything work. This is not there case and I did not get what I paid for. It was obvious that he hurried through the job and did not take the time to make it look professional. 
  
  Regards,
  
  ***********************

  

  Business response

  11/18/2022

  This is our response to the Attorney General, all of Patrisha's concerns have been addressed.

  
  **************************************** by                                                                                                                 Nov. 17th,2022
  ****************************************, C&M Construction LLC
  2120 ***********.
  ********, ** 61103
  
  Re: ***************************
  File No: 2022-CONSC-00158017
  
  **************************************
  Citizens Advocate
  Consumer Protection Bureau
  Office of the Attorney General
  State of ********
  
  Dear *****************************:
  
  Thank you for your assistance in this matter. The following is a line-by-line response to each allegation
  
  COMPLAINT DESCRIPTION: RESPONSE
  I have never hired anyone for work before. This doesnt pertain to me. It is, however, misleading. In line 19 she mentions having her toilet installed 2 weeks prior. According to ********* adult daughter, the contractor that installed the toilet never came back to finish the rest of the bathroom. He did make recommendations, according to ********, regarding materials needing to be purchased for the bathroom remodel.
  
  I am fairly new to the homeowers world and have noone to help me with repairs. Again, this doesnt pertain to me. It is, however, misleading. ******** has lived in this home for 7 years.
  
  I bought all the fixtures for my bathroom and only needed somone to install and the wall by the shower fixed which was about 12 inches (bubbled). ******** purchased the glue up tub surround, the shower and vanity fixtures, vanity and flooring. She did not purchase the plumbing supply lines, PEX tubing, PEX fittings, rough in valve connectors, p-trap, shut off valve packing, caulk, GoBoard tile backer, adhesive (tub surround), MicroBan anti-microbial spray, paint trays, paint rollers, garbage bags, cleaning supplies and paper towels that were needed to complete the project.
  
  I called C&m Constustion and he gave me a quote for $3,508.41. Once again misleading. ******** texted me on May 11th regarding her bathroom installation. I asked if I could take a look at the bathroom the following Tuesday. She asked me to meet her, home from college, daughter. (See attachment). I met with ********* daughter to review the scope of work and emailed a quote to ********, later that day (See attachment). On July 6th I received an email, from ********, stating that she accepted my quote. I responded that I would forward a contract. On July 11th she returned the signed contract (See attachment). Please note that none of the verbiage nor the price had changed between the quote and the contract. ******** had months to review the quote, take bids from other contractors, etc. and ultimately chose to go with C&M.
  
  
  I thought it was a little high but did sign the contract thinking it wouldnt be so much in the end. At no time did ******** mention the quote being too high, she accepted the quote and subsequently signed the contract. ********* daughter told me that she met with multiple contractors and that mine was not the highest quote.
  
  I only needed a tub surround (no tub olny walls) installed, a 24inch vanity, new fixtures in shower, and a vinyl plank flooring that snaps together (padding already on) My bathroom is really small 4x5. As stated in my response to line number 3, plumbing supply lines, PEX tubing, PEX fittings, rough in valve connectors, p-trap, shut off valve packing, caulk, GoBoard tile backer, adhesive (tub surround), MicroBan anti-microbial spray, paint trays, paint rollers, garbage bags, cleaning supplies and paper towels were also needed to complete the project and not supplied by ********.
  
  In the contract it says additional work would be billed at $65 an hour, so i thought that was his price, I don't know why my bill was so high. I didnt send ******** a bill. She paid the quoted and contracted price. Nothing changed. I did, however, do extensive work that wasnt on the contract; free of charge, due to all of the water damage that I found after removing the original tub surround, (see attached). This job was not quoted nor contracted as hourly work. It was a bid job with an accepted quoted amount and contracted price.
  All i was paying for was labor. He was at my house a total of 13 hours this was a span of 2 days and included him taking a 1.5/2 hour break each dayfor lunch. My calculation i payed him about $280 an hour. On August 8th I met Ms. ****** adult daughter to begin the work that C&M was contracted to perform. I covered the kitchen floor with cardboard, to prevent damage as I was carrying items in and out of the house, padded the bath tub (to prevent damage) and covered the toilet (to prevent damage). While removing the existing tub surround considerable damage was uncovered (pictures attached). The damaged material was removed and the entire area was treated with an antimicrobial agent to prevent the spread of mold, waterproof tile backer was then installed in lieu of drywall to prevent future water damage, neither of which was I obligated nor for which did I charge. I pointed out a potential electrical problem, to the adult daughter. She responded, this is an old house there are a lot of issues like that here and that you should have seen it before; (she referred to some issue in the laundry room). I also mentioned that it would be a good idea to run the bath fan as often as possible and maybe for longer periods of time, in hopes that the moister build-up could be minimized in the future. New hot and cold-water supply lines were attached to a new shower rough in valve, shower walls were primed with a mold blocking primer, new tub surround was glued to the wall and silicone was applied; to both the back and front side of each joint, and new shower/tub fixtures were installed. All of the damaged drywall was bagged and loaded into my van, the original tub surround was also loaded into my van. Multiple cleaning agents were used on the bathtub to remove old caulk and scum.
  
  I attempted to mount the new vanity faucet to the new vanity top, it didnt fit. A previous contractor had ************** order a faucet that was too large for the new vanity top.  I explained the situation with the vanity to Ms. ****** daughter, she phoned her mother and explained it to her. At the end of the day, I met ******** for the first and only time, she told me about the previous contractor telling her which materials to purchase. I let the Scotts know that I would be back the following day to install the new floor.
  
  The morning of August 9th I met with Ms. ****** daughter to install the new flooring, vanity, plumbing and a light fixture that was not part of the contract, (per the homeowners request). I left that day, after asking the daughter to have her mother let me know when the new faucet would arrive and I would return to finish the installation.
  
  Unfortunately, on August 10th,the p-trap overflowed with water coming from some other source. This is very atypical and could be the result of some other plumbing issue but I did leave the p-trap uncovered and ultimately it is my responsibility (all of which could have been avoided if the previous contractor had ordered the correct materials).
  
  The soonest that I was allowed to reenter the premises was the morning of August 12th. I met with Ms. ****** daughter and father and noticed some delamination of the vanity and offered to replace it. I removed the damaged vanity, extended the p-trap (to prevent any further overflow, tested the situation by running water at the kitchen sink, the nearest source to the bathroom and found that there were no further issues). I also capped off the supply valves, just to be on the safe side. After discussing my progress with Ms. ****** father, I drove to ********* to pick up a new vanity.
  
  The morning of August 15th,I met with the daughter and father again, installed the new vanity, faucet and countertop. I tested all of the plumbing for leaks and found that there were none.
  
  Later that morning I received a text from ********, thanking me for coming back to finish the installation (see attached).
  
  At which time she mentioned a missing transition strip, (the contract calls for the installation of a customer supplied transition strip). There was none supplied and hence none installed.I credited ************** for the labor cost of installing the transition.
  
  She then asked for a final receipt and my tax id number or TIN. I sent her an invoice marked paid (see attached) and told her that there is no reason for me to give her my TIN. She told me that her house is a rental property and that she needs my TIN to claim a tax credit for repairs. This is her primary residence and not a rental but even if it was, she wouldnt need my TIN to claim a tax credit, the contract and the final invoice is all she needs. I encourage her to claim whatever credit she is entitled. C&M cannot and will not be a party to tax fraud.
  
  ******** is aware that I was at her home four days, the number of hours that I worked is hearsay. I did take a lunch break the first day; at which time I went to the store to pick up MicroBan and the rough in valve connectors.
  
  Between the hours spent at her residence, the time spent pick up materials and the time spent handling garbage I have 30 hours worked.
  
  
  I had the materials so the charge wasnt for anything but labor. As stated previously, she did not supply all of the materials and has grossly miss represented the amount of time worked.
  
  The whole time he was at my house he kept on saying how old it was and not in the best shape. Which is why I hired him to replace things. This is hearsay, ******** wasnt at the house while I was working and has no idea what was and wasnt said. As noted earlier, her daughter mentioned the house being old and needing work.
  
  
  The first day after he left the bathroom flooded everywhere. Once again misleading, I was back at her house the second day. I could have addressed the issue then. Her p-trap overflowed sometime after the second day. I was out of town visiting with family; under the impression that it would be a few days before the new vanity faucet would be available.
  
  When I finally got ahold of him, he said he was out of town and asked if my dad could handle it (no he cant) I did ask ********, via text, if it was possible to have her dad cap of the shut off valves (see attachment). As stated, I was out of town and wished to prevent any further damage to the vanity.
  
  The flood damaged my vaneity. It took too much convicning but he did go get me a new vaneity. He took the old one and told my daughter he would repurpose for himself.
  I felt this was just bad business, He left everything else there for me to throw away. I offered to replace the vanity as soon as I noticed the delamination (see attachment). It didnt take any convincing.
  
  As far as repurposing the old vanity, this is once again hearsay. ******** was not there when I replaced the delaminated vanity. I did haul away the damaged vanity, as well as the damaged drywall, tub surround and original vanity.
  
  She paid for one vanity and received one vanity, Im not sure why she feels she should get two.
  
  He serious upcharged me and still got more out of it. There have been no additional charges. We have an agreed upon contracted price, as well as a final invoice marked as paid in full (attached).
  
  I was at work when he flnished the job. I was not pleased when I saw the work that just costed me more than a whole years of saving. As mentioned previously, I received a text from ********, thanking me (attached). She never mentioned any issues with the quality of my work.
  
  The **** is so uneven, it is bubbled and missing in some areas. I may have forgotten to smooth out a caulk bead. I would be glad to fix it and would have if given the chance. No issues were ever brought to my attention. ********, instead, posted disparaging comments on the Next-Door App, with the Better Business Bureau and here, with the Attorney General, months after she thanked me for completing the job.
  
  The wall that was in the contract just looks like he globbed mud on it. The walls that are in the contract are behind the tub surround. I did touch up an area behind the toilet, free of charge.
  
  The contract says it included for the wall to be primed. Mold killing primer has been applied.
  
  
  The toilet that was installed 2 weeks prior was broken. He took the toliet off for the floor and put it back. It looks like he dropped something in it and craked it all the way across. Theres a litti; hole that looks like something heavy hit it. I kept the toilet covered while working in the bathroom. I most certainly did not drop anything in Patrishas toilet. If I had broken her toilet, she would have mentioned it immediately instead of waiting two months and posting it on social media.
  
  My daughter said he told her that he could not secure the shower wall in a stud so instead he used a chop stick to secure it, I feel like this is another thing i will have to get fixed in the future'. Hearsay and misleading. The tub surround is glued to the wall board, it is not nailed to the studs. There was some movement in the shower head (due to a problem with a previous installation). I shimmed the fixture, adhered with 2P-20 adhesive and added a bead of silicone. It is now sturdy and waterproof. ***************** daughter mistook the shims for chop sticks. I dont eat with chop sticks, therefore dont own any and certainly dont use them on the jobsite.
  
  ******** was not present during any of the installation or the original walk through, for that matter. Perhaps some of the misunderstanding could have been avoided if we had dealt with each other directly.
  
  
  The absolute worse part of all of this is that I do not have hot water in my shower, Everywhere in the house I have scoldling hot water and in the shower it doesn't even get warm. This is a problem I will have to fix sooner rather than later. The shower fixture comes with a factory installed limit stop, to prevent scalding. I would be glad to adjust it but the homeowner needs to be present to have it set to their preference. I did leave the paperwork there, describing how the limit stop is to be adjusted.
  
  After the job was done I asked him for his tax id number and he refused to give it. I may be rented the house so my tax preparer said I should ask for it. (again I am learning) he said that it was not my job and that he pays taxes quartly and that is why he only does private residances. As I stated earlier, a final invoice was sent and received.
  
  ****** asked me to fill out a W-9. I informed her that there is no need to, in this instance. It is reserved for businesses that hire non-employees to work on a project. It is not used by homeowners that hire contractors to remodel their homes. Once again, I encourage her to claim whatever credit she is entitled, however, C&M cannot and will not help a client commit tax fraud.
  
  
  I did not contact anyone or leave a bad review until just now. I did not know there were people to help, i didnt thing there was anything i could do. ******** never contacted me to fix any issues that she may have had with my installation. She instead, posted disparaging comments on the Next-Door App, with the Better Business Bureau and here, with the Attorney General, months after she thanked me for completing the job.
  
  I did leave them a bad review on th nextdoor app. See above
  
  They answered but only that they were in fact a family company but is only a husband and wife. So there is noone else to look at what he did or try to fix it. They did not comment on the work that he did or the pictures that I posted of the things not done. All of Patrishas concerns have been answered on social media, with the BBB and now here. Attached is my wifes response to ********* allegations on the Next-Door App (see attached)
  
  I feel like he took full advantage of me, He saw that I was a **** who did not know how to fix things. He saw that it was just my daughter and me anf knew he could charge whatever he wanted. C&M prides ourselves in going above and beyond for our clients and we thought we had done so here. It is not nor has it ever been our practice to take advantage of a customer.
  
  We quoted and contracted this job prior to beginning the work, preformed all of the items noted on the contract (went above and beyond, free of charge on many items) and are more than happy to cure any issues that resulted from our work.
  
  There has been no victimization by fraud, deception or unfair methods of competition; all work listed in the contract has been performed and terms were agreed upon, by all parties involved, in advance.
  REQUESTED RELIEF
  I am asking for a complete refund. I have to get everything fixed that I paid him to do. It is only fair that he refundes me. A full refund is not a suitable solution. There are no issues with the floor, the vanity, vanity plumbing, the tub surround, shower fixtures or primer.
  We did not damage the toilet. We are willing to fix the bubbled caulk bead and adjust the limit stop on the shower.
  
  

  Customer response

  11/22/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  Thank you for your response. It is not just one chalk bubble it is all around. Uneven and blotchy. The toilet was broke as soon as he left. It was just installed the week before he got there due to a leak in the old one. No hot water is a p with the installation. The bubble wall that ***** was to fix was just slapped with mud. This was not professional work in any way and for that reason I can not let him back to try again. I need a reliable company. He cut corners and charged so much money. There wasnt isnt one problem but many. From the work I have seen on his socials, my house was obviously a hurried job that he didnt care what it looked like. 
  
  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. ↩