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Deck Builder review: Takes money and leaves project unfished 5

T
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6:27 pm EST
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Deck Builder (Home Specialist - Denis Richardson) was paid 3 of the 4 installment payments and then he abandoned the project. I have not seen nor heard from him in 3 weeks since this posting on Nov 2, 2009.

CITIZENS OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA & WASHINGTON, DC METRO AREA - - - BEWARE

NOTE: Mr. Richardson may have moved to the Herndon, VA area.

Signed contract on April 8, 2009. Mr. Richardson stated he only worked on two projects at a time. He signed a contract that stated our deck would begin on or close to June 1st and finish on or around June 30th.

Paid $8, 100.00 on April 8th.

Original price on April 8th was $24, 300.00.

Project did not start until July 15th. 45 days after original start date.

During first day it was determined the deck needed to be larger and was increased by 100 sq ft. This was mutually agreed to PRIOR to the actual start of construction of the project.

The revised size increased the price to $29, 458.00. Addendum signed on July 15th.

Paid Mr. Richardson $10, 000.00 on July 15th.

Decking surface installed and cement poured in footer holes for the first deck.

Paid Mr. Richardson $6, 447.00 on July 25th.

As of October 24th we have paid Mr. Richardson $24, 547.00 towards a total price of $29, 458.00 which is 83% of the project price. Our deck is not complete and is 4 months overdue with approx 30% of the work still to be completed.

Mr. Richardson has routinely worked less than 4 hours a day on the project, that is when he decides to show up to work. We've gone weeks without him working on our project or returning calls or emails. Mr. Richardson disappears for days/weeks and doesn't think this should be a concern to us. His patent comment is, "this is a construction project and they regularly run over time.

Mr. Richardson informed us that he took on too many jobs this summer (despite informing us at time of contract signing that he only took on two projects at a time so he could complete in 30 days.).

Now Mr. Richardson is telling us a different story. He now tells us he doesn't have the money to finish our deck. Despite being given $16, 000.00 in the course of 10days.

It is apparent Mr. Richardson did not use the installment payments provided to purchase and deliver the needed building materials to construct our deck.

Another issue: We received a formal letter in September from our HOA informing us we were in volition of our HOA rules. Mr. Richardson did not file the appropriate paperwork with our HOA which was his obligation per our contract with him. We provided all of the paperwork to Mr. Richardson a 2nd time and were able to convince him to drive to the HOA office and file the paperwork.

To date we have an unfinished deck/porch which has no stairs, rails, lattice, screens, ceiling fan or electricity. Our small deck has never had cement added to the post holes and is missing rails and lattice. Unsafe to step on.

Mr. Richardson has repeatedly asked us to pay him the last installment and if we did, he would work 10 hours a day t finish the deck. He is a liar and now has informed us that he will file bankruptcy and move on down the road. He said we can try and find him. His Virginia License number is [protected]. BEWARE of this contractor and do not let him do what he did to us to you.

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

5 comments
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loop a do
Canton, US
Aug 26, 2013 11:28 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

If this is the same man, he is working and living in Marietta GA. He took $2700 from us and and will not complete a fence. We have been trying to get him to do it for 5 months. My number is [protected] Debra. I will be prosecuting him if at all possible. Please call me with any other information.

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RL7440
US
Aug 07, 2018 10:54 pm EDT
Replying to comment of loop a do

Did you ever get this resolved?

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loop a do
Canton, US
Aug 26, 2013 11:31 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

He is now in Georgia and doing the same thing. I am going to prosecute him and try to recoup my money. He is a thief and con-man. Have paid the man $2700 and have been trying to get a fence built for 6 months and will not build it or return my money.

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Robot34
Atlanta, US
Feb 15, 2023 3:47 pm EST
Replying to comment of loop a do

Yes now in atlanta area, dont give any money to small one person company unless you personally know them more if u havent seen any work !

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RL7440
US
Aug 07, 2018 7:34 pm EDT

BUYER BEWARE! I apparently was one of his early customers when he first moved into the Atlanta area in 2014. I'm not exaggerating this at all. My original contract was signed in Dec 2014 and my deck is STILL not complete. Always an excuse for delays. I've had to threaten legal action to get him to show up...but when he does it's never to finish the work. ALWAYS complaining poor mouth and the amazing deal I got because he was trying to get "product out there". Agreed to pay him the final balance in order for him to buy the remaining materials to finish the job. My mistake...actually paid him more than the contract price and now he's nowhere to be found. This guy is paycheck to paycheck. Pray that you work with him when he has money in his pocket. Please feel free to call me to discuss if you have ANY questions. Ray [protected]